Verdict
At RM234,527, the Mk3 is RM134,361 cheaper than the RM368,888 Mk4 Facelift, a substantial saving for a used-performance-hatch buyer. The newer car repays that gap with 296 hp and 420 Nm against 265 hp and 360 Nm, plus a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time. It is also the easier daily car: five doors, 384 litres of boot space and a wet dual-clutch automatic. The Mk3 keeps the purer six-speed manual and 60-litre tank, but its three-door body and smaller cabin package ask more compromise.
Pick the Renault Megane RS Mk3 if you want the six-speed manual, Recaro bucket seats and a far lower entry price.
Pick the Renault Megane RS Mk4 Facelift if you want 296 hp, five-door practicality and the convenience of a dual-clutch automatic.
Key differences
- Price: Mk3 RM234,527; Mk4 Facelift RM368,888.
- Output: Mk3 265 hp and 360 Nm; Mk4 Facelift 296 hp and 420 Nm.
- Performance: Mk3 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and 250 km/h; Mk4 Facelift 5.8 seconds and 260 km/h.
- Practicality: Mk3 has 3 doors and a 344-litre boot; Mk4 Facelift has 5 doors and a 384-litre boot.
- Transmission: Mk3 uses a 6-speed manual; Mk4 Facelift gets a 6-speed wet dual-clutch automatic.
- Fuel tank and road tax: Mk3 has 60 litres and RM379 yearly road tax; Mk4 Facelift has 50 litres and RM279.
Mk3
- Six-speed manual gearbox.
- Recaro bucket seats and Cup Chassis with limited-slip differential.
- 60-litre fuel tank.
- Less power and torque: 265 hp and 360 Nm versus 296 hp and 420 Nm.
- Three doors and 344 litres of boot space, against five doors and 384 litres.
- No reverse camera, navigation, Bluetooth or blind-spot information system.
Mk4 Facelift
- 296 hp, 420 Nm and a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Five doors, 384-litre boot and rear air vents.
- Torsen limited-slip differential, rear-wheel steering and launch control.
- Costs RM134,361 more.
- Carries 31 kg more weight: 1,405 kg versus 1,374 kg.
- 50-litre fuel tank is 10 litres smaller.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM234,527✓ | RM368,888 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM279✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharger with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 265 hp at 5,500 rpm | 296 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 360 Nm at 3,000 rpm | 420 Nm at 2,400 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82.7 mm × 93 mm | 79.7 mm × 90.1 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 9.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6MT | 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Renault | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 5.8 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 8.2 L/100 km | 7.9 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 260 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 190 g/km | 181 g/km✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,299 mm | 4,364 mm |
| Width | 1,848 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | — | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 2,669 mm |
| Weight | 1,374 kg | 1,405 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 3 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 344 litres | 384 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R18 | 245/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R18 | 245/35R19 |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Spain (CBU) | France (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Interlagos Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Interlagos Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Cup Chassis, Limited Slip Differential | Cup Suspension, Rear-wheel Steering, Torsen Limited-slip Differential, Launch Control |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Side, Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point belts | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Normal bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual adjustment, Recaro buckets | Manual Adjustment |
| 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 | 1x front | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map lights, Ambient | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | Two front | 2 Front, 3 Rear |
| Audio | Radio CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers | R-Link 2 Infotainment System with 8.7" Vertical Touchscreen and 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down | Four 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 3 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 cars for sale
Mk3 vs Mk4 Facelift FAQ
Is the Renault Megane RS Mk3 or Renault Megane RS Mk4 Facelift better?
The Mk4 Facelift is better for outright performance and daily usability, with 296 hp, five doors and a 384-litre boot. Choose the Mk3 if the six-speed manual, Recaro seats and lower purchase cost matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Renault Megane RS Mk4 Facelift costs RM134,361 more than the Renault Megane RS Mk3.
Which Megane RS is more practical for daily use?
The Mk4 Facelift is the clear daily-use choice. It has five doors instead of three, a 384-litre boot instead of 344 litres, rear air vents, four power windows, a reverse camera and rear parking sensors.
