2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup Review

2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup is a masterpiece of Renault Sport, combining precise handling, powerful performance, track passion, and daily practicality as a C-segment performance hot hatch.

RM 234,888

2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup

Segment

C-Segment

Body Type

Hatchback

Capacity(L)

2.0

Engine Power(PS)

Engine Torque(Nm)

Transmission

View Renault Megane RS > View Full Specs >

Review

User Review

Specs

In Malaysia's C-segment hatchback market, hot hatch performance cars have always been a niche market for a small group of players. However, the 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup attempted to break the norm with its precise handling tuning and balanced configuration. As one of the iconic works from the Renault Sport department during that time, it not only carried on the sporty genes of the Megane series but also optimized for daily practicality. This time, through an in-depth test drive, we examine whether it truly manages to balance "track excitement" and "street commuting".

In terms of appearance, the Megane RS 265 Cup exudes a direct and pure sporty style. The front features Renault's family design, with a large honeycomb grille paired with a blacked-out front bumper. The exaggerated size of the air intakes on both sides not only improves cooling efficiency but also reinforces its aggressive look. The car's side profile is compact, with 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels paired with 235/40 R18 wide tires, making its performance-oriented positioning clear; a small roof spoiler and a dual exhaust system at the rear with circular outlets further highlight its sporty nature. For the lighting system, while the headlights use halogen light sources, the car is equipped with front and rear fog lamps, which are sufficient for daily illumination. However, the brightness levels during nighttime driving are mediocre.

Entering the interior, the sporty ambiance remains pronounced. The dashboard adopts a symmetrical design, primarily using black soft-touch materials, accentuated with silver trims. Both touch and visual quality were considered upper mid-tier among vehicles in the same class at that time. The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display serves as the central element of the interior configuration, supporting basic multimedia functions and Bluetooth connectivity, with satisfactory operating smoothness. The instrument cluster features a self-illuminating analog display that clearly shows key information such as RPM and speed. For the seats, the front ones are manually adjustable sports bucket seats, offering excellent support for the back and legs, making them suitable to keep the body secure during spirited driving. The rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split, and while the space is a bit tight for adults, it's acceptable for short trips. Practical features such as dual-zone automatic climate control, multi-function steering wheel, 220V/230V power outlet, and rear entertainment screens are also included, meeting daily usage needs.

In terms of space, as a C-segment hatchback, the Megane RS 265 Cup's dimensions are not particularly outstanding, but its practicality has not been compromised. The front seats offer generous space, with a headroom of one fist and ample legroom for a person 175cm tall. The rear legroom is about two fingers' width, and the headroom is one fist, making it suitable for children or adults on short trips. The trunk has a capacity of 344L, which can accommodate two 20-inch suitcases in its standard configuration. With the rear seats folded, the space can be expanded further, allowing for occasional cargo needs. Storage capabilities, such as the front center armrest box, door storage compartments, and cup holders, are appropriately sized, making it convenient for storing daily items.

In terms of power, the Megane RS 265 Cup is equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers a maximum power of 265 horsepower at 5500 rpm and a peak torque of 360 N·m at 3800 rpm. It is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. During actual driving, the power response in the initial acceleration phase is not overly aggressive, but once the engine revs exceed 2000 rpm, the turbo kicks in and provides a noticeable pushback effect. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 6 seconds. During overtakes, simply stepping harder on the accelerator unleashes a burst of power. Handling is its core strength: the steering is precise with minimal play and clearly conveys road feedback. The suspension system adopts a combination of front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam, but with special tuning from Renault Sport, it offers excellent support. Body roll is well-controlled during cornering, and the car maintains impressive stability during high-speed lane changes. However, the stiff suspension struggles to absorb bumps, making the ride feel noticeably bumpy for rear passengers when driving over speed bumps or uneven roads commonly seen in Malaysia.

Fuel consumption performance is moderate, with fuel usage around 10-12L per 100 kilometers under urban driving conditions, and reducing to 7-8L on highways, which is in line with the level of a 2.0T performance car. The braking system uses ventilated disc brakes at both the front and rear, offering a linear braking feel, and maintaining stable body posture during emergency braking, providing ample confidence. In terms of noise control, the cabin is relatively quiet at low speeds; however, tire noise and wind noise become more pronounced at high speeds. That said, for a performance hot hatch, this kind of "sound feedback" can enhance the driving atmosphere.

Overall, the core strengths of the 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup lie in its precise handling calibration, robust power output, and relatively balanced daily practicality. Compared to other hot hatches in the same class, its features are more family-oriented—such as dual-zone air conditioning, rear-seat LCD screen, and a 220V power outlet, which were rare among competitors at the time. However, issues like limited rear-seat space and stiff suspension also restrict its target audience.

This car is best suited for two types of people: young consumers who love driving and occasionally need to carry their family short distances, and performance car enthusiasts who seek a "race track toy + daily commuter" combo. If you're looking for a hot hatch that can release your passion on the track during weekends and also serve as a weekday commuter, the Megane RS 265 Cup could be a good choice. However, if you prioritize rear-seat space and comfort, it might not be the best option.

All in all, the 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup is a "specialized but not extreme" performance car—it retains the handling essence of Renault Sport without completely sacrificing everyday practicality. In the Malaysian market of its time, it was one of the few options that could balance "passion and daily life."

Pros

The sporty appearance stands out, with a low stance, honeycomb grille, and a highly recognizable design that catches attention

The interior design is practical and refined, Alcantara steering wheel offers excellent grip, and the touch screen is responsive

Outstanding performance with a 2.0T engine that delivers sufficient power, quick acceleration, and stable handling with minimal body roll

Cons

The seat is manually adjustable, making it inconvenient to adjust the seating position and lacking an electric adjustment function

The 2015 model exterior design is relatively understated, less aggressive compared to new models, and easily overlooked in terms of performance

The Cup version suspension is relatively stiff, making it noticeably bumpy when passing through potholes

Overall Rating

4.4

Excellent

From 5 Reviews

Section Rating

Performance

4.6 / 5

Interior Design

4.4 / 5

Safety

4.4 / 5

Exterior Design

4.2 / 5

Showing 5 reviews

5 Excellent

J10_Qash

Owner of 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup

As the owner of a 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup and driving it in Malaysia for almost two years, the thing I want to praise the most is its appearance! Every time I park at the KLCC parking lot or by the roadside of Jalan Ampang, passersby always take a second look—the low stance, the honeycomb-shaped front grille, the iconic center-mounted dual exhaust, and the RS badge in red and black completely elevate the sporty vibe. It doesn’t look like an average family car at all, and it's super recognizable on the road. Full marks, no complaints! As for the interior, I’d give it 4 stars. Mainly because the design and materials are quite solid. The Alcantara-material steering wheel feels especially great to hold; every time I drive on Genting Highlands’ winding roads, it feels very convenient and responsive. The 7-inch touchscreen on the center console is quite responsive, too, making it easy to connect phone navigation. However, there’s a small drawback—the seats are manually adjustable, and sometimes adjusting to a comfortable position takes quite some time. If it were electric, it would be perfect. But overall, the craftsmanship is still very refined, and the texture of the plastic components doesn’t feel cheap. It’s totally sufficient for daily use.

4 Excellent

Jimny3D

Owner of 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup

As the owner of a 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup, having driven it in Malaysia for nearly two years, I must talk about its exterior and interior. I'll give the exterior 4 points. It's actually quite pleasing to the eye—the signature honeycomb grille of the RS series, the small rear wing, and the 18-inch sporty wheels. Whether it's parked in the KLCC parking lot or in front of a café in Subang Jaya, it does get some attention. However, perhaps because the 2015 model's design leans towards a "low-profile performance" style, it's not as aggressive as newer cars. Sometimes, when I'm overtaken by other performance cars on the LDP highway, the other drivers might not immediately recognize that this is a car capable of doing 0 to 100 km/h in 6 seconds. It's a minor regret, but overall, it still meets my expectation of "hidden power under a subtle guise." The interior deserves a full 5 points! Sitting in the driver's seat gives a very sporty vibe—the Alcantara steering wheel feels amazing to grip, especially during KL's peak-hour traffic jams, where the texture provides a sense of comfort. The 7-inch touchscreen on the central console is highly responsive, and even when using CarPlay to navigate highways to Penang, it doesn't lag. The biggest surprise has to be the dual-zone automatic air conditioning. In Malaysia's year-round 30-degree heat, I can set it to 22°C, while my wife in the passenger seat sets it to 25°C, so we’re both comfortable without having to fight over the temperature controls. The 60:40 split-folding rear seat is practical too—on our last trip to Genting, we managed to comfortably fit in two large suitcases. Even though the seats are manually adjustable, they offer excellent support, and my back doesn't ache when driving through the winding mountain roads of Ipoh. It's the interior details that really resonate with enthusiasts like me who value driving experience.

4 Excellent

TacomaTRD

Owner of 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup

As the owner of the 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup, after driving it in Malaysia for more than two years, the two things I want to talk about most are safety and performance. Let’s start with performance, and it’s truly full of surprises! On Malaysia’s highways like the North-South Expressway, sometimes you need to overtake quickly, and this 2.0T turbocharged engine instantly delivers power when you step on the accelerator. The official 0-100 km/h in 6 seconds isn’t just talk—last time on a straight road near Sepang, accelerating from 80km/h to 160km/h happened almost without hesitation. The pushback feeling pinned me directly to the seat. When cornering, the Cup chassis provides excellent support, and even on those winding mountain roads on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, body roll is minimal. The handling feels absolutely amazing, and I’d give it a full 5 out of 5! As for safety, I’m relatively satisfied. I’d rate it 4 out of 5 because it’s enough but not exactly “stunning.” It has 6 airbags, and last time while driving too close in Penang’s city area, the ABS and ESP intervened just in time during a sudden brake, avoiding a collision with the car in front. At that moment, I really broke into a cold sweat—however, compared to newer models with active safety features (like automatic emergency braking), it only has basic passive safety features and a rear-view camera, lacking some “intelligent protection.” But for daily drives, whether in Kuala Lumpur’s traffic jams or on Johor Bahru’s rural roads, these features are sufficient for most situations. Overall, performance is its soul, and the safety is reassuring. As a hot hatch, it’s definitely the right choice!

4 Excellent

GR_Yaris

Owner of 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup

As the owner of a 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup, having driven it in Malaysia for almost two years, let’s talk about the performance first. The official claim of 6 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h is not an exaggeration! During Kuala Lumpur’s early morning traffic, when there’s a rare clear stretch, stepping hard on the accelerator gives you that 2.0T push-back feeling, leaving the nearby Japanese family cars far behind. Especially while overtaking on the North-South Highway, the power remains smooth and linear even when the revs hit 5500 rpm, giving you great confidence in overtaking. However, Malaysia's highways occasionally have patched potholes, and the Cup version’s suspension is on the stiffer side, making bumps relatively noticeable when going over them. This point deducts some marks; overall, a 4 out of 5 for performance is quite reasonable. Moving on to the exterior, the design of the Megane RS is quite recognizable among C-segment cars. The honeycomb grille at the front paired with halogen headlights, along with the contour lines on the hood, make it stand out on the road with a decent head-turning rate. The 18-inch wheels with 235-wide tires make the side profile look particularly sporty. When parked in the old streets of George Town, Penang, passersby often ask about the car. However, the halogen headlights are only average in brightness when driving on rural roads at night. If they could be replaced with LEDs, it would be even more perfect. Therefore, the exterior also gets a 4 out of 5, overall satisfactory but with some room for minor improvements.

5 Excellent

StingerGT

Owner of 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup

As the owner of the 2015 Megane RS 265 Cup, after driving in Malaysia for nearly two years, I sincerely feel that this car suits me perfectly! Performance-wise, it deserves a full score—the explosive power of the 2.0T turbo engine is really strong. After enduring the morning traffic jams in Kuala Lumpur, stepping on the accelerator on the LDP highway easily leaves the traffic behind. The 0-100km/h acceleration in 6 seconds, along with the push-back feeling, instantly makes me feel invigorated. Moreover, the Cup chassis is particularly solid; navigating through the winding mountain roads of Klang Valley, the steering is so precise that it feels like an extension of my hands. The 235-wide tires provide excellent grip and feel absolutely stable, giving me great confidence when driving. As for safety, I feel very assured. All six airbags are included. The last time I was following a car too closely and had to brake suddenly in Penang city, the brake system reacted super quickly and stopped steadily without causing a rear-end collision. Later, I found out that both the front and rear are ventilated disc brakes, no wonder the braking is so effective. When parking, the reverse camera is incredibly helpful—I don't have to worry about scratches in those narrow parking spaces in Kuala Lumpur. The interior might not be luxurious, but it's practical and durable—the dual-zone automatic air conditioning is a lifesaver in Malaysia's hot weather, cooling down the car in just a few minutes after getting in. The 7-inch touchscreen is easy to operate, and there’s no lag even when navigating to Genting Highlands with my phone connected. Plus, the 60:40 split-folding rear seats can easily accommodate all my camping gear; the attention to detail in the design is particularly thoughtful. In summary, whether it's for daily commutes or weekend mountain drives, this car has never let me down. Full marks on all three dimensions is truly not an exaggeration!