Verdict
These two 296 hp hot hatches take very different routes. The Renault Megane RS costs RM368,888 to the Toyota GR Yaris’ RM315,600, and the RM53,288 gap buys a larger five-door, five-seat body with a 384-litre boot rather than two doors, four seats and 174 litres. The Megane counters with 420 Nm, a six-speed wet dual-clutch and 260 km/h top speed, but the 1,280 kg GR Yaris is quicker to 100 km/h at 5.2 seconds and sends drive to all four wheels. For Malaysian use, its pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty are meaningful advantages.
Pick the Renault Megane RS if you need five doors, five seats, a 384-litre boot and the convenience of a six-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Pick the Toyota GR Yaris if you want 5.2-second 0-100 km/h acceleration, all-wheel drive, a manual gearbox and pre-collision braking.
Key differences
- Price: Renault Megane RS RM368,888; Toyota GR Yaris RM315,600.
- Driveline: Renault Megane RS front-wheel drive; Toyota GR Yaris all-wheel drive.
- 0-100 km/h: Renault Megane RS 5.8 seconds; Toyota GR Yaris 5.2 seconds.
- Boot space: Renault Megane RS 384 litres; Toyota GR Yaris 174 litres.
- Doors and seats: Renault Megane RS five doors/five seats; Toyota GR Yaris two doors/four seats.
- Warranty: Renault Megane RS three years/100,000 km; Toyota GR Yaris five years/unlimited mileage.
Megane RS
- 384-litre boot with five doors and five seats.
- 420 Nm and a six-speed wet dual-clutch automatic.
- Cup suspension, rear-wheel steering and a Torsen limited-slip differential.
- Front-wheel drive versus the GR Yaris’ all-wheel drive.
- 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.2 seconds.
- No pre-collision braking or adaptive cruise control.
GR Yaris
- All-wheel drive with front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials.
- Quicker 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time at 1,280 kg.
- Pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- Two doors and four seats versus the Megane RS’ five doors and five seats.
- 174-litre boot versus the Megane RS’ 384 litres.
- Manual-only six-speed gearbox versus the Megane RS’ dual-clutch automatic.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,888 | RM315,600✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM279 | RM207✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,798 cc | 1,618 cc |
| Horsepower | 296 hp | 296 hp |
| Torque | 420 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 79.7 mm | 87 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.2 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch | 6MT |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.8 seconds | 5.2 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 260 km/h✓ | 230 km/h |
| Co2 | 181 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,364 mm | 3,995 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,805 mm |
| Height | 1,445 mm | 1,455 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,669 mm | 2,560 mm |
| Weight | 1,405 kg | 1,280 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 384 litres✓ | 174 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R19 | 225/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/35R19 | 225/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | France (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 19" Interlagos Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Interlagos Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Cup Suspension, Rear-wheel Steering, Torsen Limited-slip Differential, Launch Control | Torsen Front and Rear Limited-slip Differential, Performance-tuned Springs, Dampers and Steering, User-selectable Torque Split, Rev Matching |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 3 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | R-Link 2 Infotainment System with 8.7" Vertical Touchscreen and 8 Speakers | 7" Touchscreen Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, AUX and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 years✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Megane RS & GR Yaris for sale
Megane RS vs GR Yaris FAQ
Is the Renault Megane RS or Toyota GR Yaris better?
The GR Yaris is the stronger performance and safety pick, with all-wheel drive, a 5.2-second sprint, pre-collision braking and adaptive cruise control. Choose the Megane RS if five doors, five seats, a 384-litre boot and an automatic gearbox matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Renault Megane RS costs RM53,288 more than the Toyota GR Yaris.
Which is more practical for daily use?
The Renault Megane RS is far more practical: it has five doors, five seats, rear air-con vents and a 384-litre boot. The GR Yaris has two doors, four seats and 174 litres of luggage space.
