Renault Megane RS 2015 Review

The 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup is a sports hatchback that combines performance handling with household practicality, meeting the dual needs of daily commuting and driving pleasure.

RM 234,888

Renault Megane RS 2015

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 recent years, Malaysia's C-segment car market has gradually shifted towards family-oriented vehicles, with an increasing proportion of comfort-oriented models. However, there is still a group of consumers looking for "four-door cars with driving fun"—vehicles that can meet daily commuting and the occasional family needs while also delivering the thrill of driving on mountain roads or highways on weekends. The 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup is designed specifically to meet this demand, with the core selling point of being a "performance-focused family hatchback." It retains the practicality of a hatchback while enhancing power and driving experience. This time, we got hold of the actual car to verify whether it truly balances the seemingly contradictory needs of "performance" and "family use."

From the exterior, the overall style of the Megane RS 265 Cup leans towards sportiness without being overly exaggerated. The front face adopts Renault's family design, with a large lower grille paired with a blacked-out front lip that enhances its aggressive look; the angular design of the front fog light areas complements the headlight assembly, resulting in strong overall recognition. The side profile of the car is sleek, with 18-inch rims paired with 235/40 R18 wide tires, giving off clear performance car vibes; the steep incline of the C-pillar maintains the dynamic feel of a hatchback. At the rear, the small upper spoiler and the diffuser at the bottom not only enhance aerodynamics but also amplify the sporty ambiance. The rear light assembly is positioned horizontally, offering decent recognition when lit, while the rear fog lights are embedded on both sides of the diffuser, creating a unified design with the front.

Opening the door, the interior exudes a sporty feel without sacrificing practicality. The center console is designed to be driver-oriented for convenient operation; a 7-inch touchscreen sits atop the center console with resolution and responsiveness on par with segment standards, supporting basic multimedia and Bluetooth connection functions. The seats feature a sporty design with good bolstering, and the front seats support manual adjustment to help find a comfortable driving position. While the rear seats lack the bolstering of the front seats, their cushioning is sufficiently soft and they support a 60:40 split-folding function, which expands trunk space when folded down. In terms of features, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, a multifunction steering wheel, rear seat LCD screens, and more are included, basically meeting daily convenience needs. The instrument cluster consists of illuminated analog dials, clearly displaying RPM, speed, and other information, which aligns with the positioning of a performance car.

In terms of space, while detailed body dimensions are not officially disclosed, the actual experience indicates that the front seating area is relatively spacious. A 180 cm tall passenger has ample head and legroom. The rear seating space is average for a C-segment hatchback; a 175 cm tall passenger can enjoy about two punches of legroom, although the headroom feels slightly constrained due to the hatchback design. Nonetheless, it poses no issues for short trips. Regarding storage capacity, the regular trunk offers 344 liters of volume, enough to fit two 20-inch suitcases, which meets the needs of daily commutes or short trips. The car also has plenty of storage compartments; the front center armrest box, door storage pockets, and other spaces are capable of holding common items, making it quite practical.

In terms of power, the Megane RS 265 Cup is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with a maximum power output at 5500 rpm and maximum torque at 3800 rpm. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 6 seconds. During actual driving, the power response during the start-up phase is quite direct, and the turbo intervention timing is not considered late, with no obvious turbo lag. When switched to sport mode, the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal increases, providing a strong push-back feeling during acceleration. When overtaking, as long as you press the accelerator deeply, the power reserve is sufficient to complete overtaking with ease. During daily driving, the gearbox’s shifting logic is quite smart and can adjust the gear according to the depth of the accelerator to maintain smoothness. If switched to manual mode, the shifting speed is also quite fast, meeting the demand for driving pleasure.

The handling and chassis performance are highlights of this car. The steering wheel has a relatively heavy steering feel, precise pointing with no play, and you can clearly feel the road feedback when turning, aligning with the positioning of a performance car. The suspension system is tuned to be stiff, effectively suppressing body roll, providing excellent support during cornering, and maintaining vehicle stability. On bumpy roads, the suspension filters out some fine vibrations, although some road feel is still transmitted to the driver. However, for a performance car, this setting is reasonable. The braking system features front and rear ventilated disc brakes, offering linear and strong braking performance. When pressing the brake pedal, the braking force is evidently felt, providing ample confidence.

In terms of fuel consumption, we tested under mixed road conditions, including urban traffic jams, highway cruising, and a small amount of mountain roads. The final fuel consumption was around 9.5L per 100 kilometers, slightly higher than the official 8.2L figure. However, considering its performance orientation and our occasional spirited driving, this fuel consumption level is acceptable. Regarding noise control, during daily cruising, wind and tire noise are well suppressed and do not affect communication inside the car. However, during high-speed driving or spirited driving, the engine noise becomes noticeably audible inside the cabin, which, for a performance car, actually enhances the immersive driving experience.

Overall, the core strength of the 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup lies in its "balance" – it has the power and handling of a performance car, while retaining the practicality and basic features of a family car. Compared to the same-class family sedans, it offers better power and handling. Compared to pure performance cars, it has more space and practical features. It is suitable for those who need a daily commuter and family vehicle but do not want to give up driving pleasure – for example, young family users around 30 years old or office workers who enjoy occasional weekend fun. If you are looking for a "performance hatchback that can be used as a family car," the Megane RS 265 Cup is worth considering.

Pros

Eye-catching exterior design, honeycomb grille, 18-inch wheels, and other sporty elements with high head-turning rate

2.0T engine delivers strong power, with a noticeable push-back feeling when the turbo kicks in, officially 0-100 km/h in 6 seconds, making overtaking easy

Excellent handling performance, precise steering, solid chassis, minimal body roll in corners, and great performance on mountain roads

Cons

Cup version's hard suspension produces noticeable bumps on uneven/pothole roads and speed bumps, requiring high road condition standards

Seats are manually adjustable, making it inconvenient to adjust the seating position, lacking electric adjustment functionality

Some details need improvement, such as the conservative taillight design and average halogen headlight illumination performance

Overall Rating

4.4

Excellent

From 8 Reviews

Section Rating

Performance

4.5 / 5

Interior Design

4.4 / 5

Safety

4.6 / 5

Exterior Design

4.3 / 5

Showing 8 reviews

4 Excellent

PenangRacer

Owner of 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup

As the owner of the 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup and having driven it in Malaysia for almost a year, let me talk about the exterior first—the design of this car is exactly my style! Especially the large front grille, paired with the sharp halogen headlights on both sides, it has an outstanding presence on the road. Every time I park it at the KLCC parking lot, people can't help but take a second glance. The side profile of the car is also very sleek, and with the 18-inch large wheels, driving along the coastal roads of Penang with the sea breeze blowing makes me feel like the most stylish person on the road. A 4-star rating is well deserved; the only slight regret is that if the taillight design were more aggressive, it would be perfect. Now let’s talk about the interior—it’s overall pretty satisfactory. The 7-inch touchscreen in the center console is very easy to use, and switching between navigation and music is smooth. When stuck in traffic in Kuala Lumpur, listening to music makes it less frustrating. The dual-zone automatic air conditioning is extremely practical in Malaysia's year-round hot weather; both the driver and passenger can adjust their preferred temperatures without compromising. However, one drawback is that the seats are manually adjustable, and adjusting the seating position takes quite some time. If it were upgraded to electronic controls, it would be much more convenient. So the interior also gets a 4-star rating—overall good but with room for minor improvements.

4 Excellent

CircuitDriver

Owner of 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup

As the owner of a 2015 Megane RS 265 Cup, after driving it in Malaysia for almost two years, my most direct impression is the car's "dual nature" — the exterior design perfectly matches my aesthetic preferences, and the performance is impressive, but occasionally the local road conditions can be a bit of a letdown. First, let me rave about the exterior! The hatchback design, combined with the RS-exclusive honeycomb grille, 18-inch smoked wheels, and the iconic round taillights at the back, always get attention when parked at the KLCC parking lot. My friends say it looks like a "street rocket," and it’s truly eye-catching. A full 5 marks, absolutely flawless. As for performance, the push-back feeling after the 2.0T turbo kicks in is super satisfying, and the official claim of 0 to 100 km/h in 6 seconds is no exaggeration — during rush hour on the LDP highway, just floor the accelerator while revving up to 3800 RPM to easily outpace the MPVs around you. However, with Malaysia’s bumpy rural roads and the stiffer suspension of the Cup version, it feels a bit “rough.” Last time I went to Cameron Highlands, I had to slow down deliberately for consecutive speed bumps, or else my rear would have gone completely numb. Overall, I’d give it 4 out of 5. It's good enough for daily use, but it is a bit picky when it comes to road conditions. All in all, it shines in city commuting or highway driving. Its looks and power are impressive, but you’ll need to take it easy on rough roads.

5 Excellent

XC90_T8

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 over two years, the overall experience has been quite satisfying! Starting with performance, I would give it 4 stars because it's totally sufficient for daily use — during Kuala Lumpur's morning rush hours, the 2.0T turbo engagement is not abrupt, and following cars at low speed is very smooth. On weekends, whether going up to Genting or driving on the highway to the east coast, the 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6 seconds is particularly thrilling when overtaking. The steering is precise, and there’s minimal body roll when cornering. However, when occasionally driving on bumpy roads like those on the LDP highway, the Cup's suspension is indeed quite firm, which can make the rear passengers feel a bit uncomfortable, so I deducted some points for this. In terms of safety, it deserves a full 5 stars! Last year, I was side-swiped by a suddenly lane-changing Myvi in George Town, Penang. All six airbags instantly deployed, and neither I nor my passenger suffered any injuries. When driving on the highway, the stability control system reacts quickly, and it's very steady even on slippery roads during rainy days on the North-South Expressway. The reverse camera is super helpful when parking in the narrow alleys of Kuala Lumpur, giving me a full sense of security. For the interior, I would also rate it 5 stars. Although it's a 2015 model, the design still looks timeless — the 7-inch touchscreen is very responsive, and the dual-zone automatic air conditioning cools the car quickly, which is essential in Malaysia's 30+ degree weather. The manually adjustable front seats offer excellent support, ensuring no backaches during long trips. When the 60:40 split rear seats are folded down, I was able to fit three large suitcases during a trip to Malacca, demonstrating its practicality and overall quality!

4 Excellent

RSQ3

Owner of 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup

As the owner of a 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup, after driving it for almost a year on Malaysian roads, I'm quite satisfied with its performance and appearance. Starting with the performance, I think a 4 out of 5 rating is very appropriate. The 2.0T turbocharged engine officially claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6 seconds. In actual driving on the expressways in Kuala Lumpur, overtaking is particularly thrilling; once the pedal is pressed, the push-back sensation comes immediately. Especially when driving long distances on the North-South Highway, when the RPM hits 3800, the torque kicks in, and overtaking becomes swift and clean. However, sometimes in city traffic jams with frequent stops and starts, I feel like its power gets somewhat "suffocated." But that's not the car's fault, as it's a performance car after all. As for fuel consumption, the official figure is 8.2L/100km. From my actual usage, the city consumption is about 9.5L, and on highways, it can drop to 7.8L. For a 2.0T performance car, I think this fuel efficiency is quite decent. As for appearance, a 4 out of 5 rating also feels reasonable. The design of the Megane RS is highly recognizable, especially the honeycomb-like front grille and sharp headlights. Combined with the 18-inch large rims, it attracts plenty of attention on the road. The red RS badges and the design of the side skirts exude a full sense of sportiness. When parked in a parking lot, you can recognize it at a glance. However, one slight regret is that the headlights are halogen; on rural roads without streetlights at night, the illumination is just average. If they could be replaced with LEDs, it would be even better. Overall, the experience of using this car in Malaysia is fantastic. Its performance and appearance meet my expectations, making it a car that's very enjoyable to drive.

5 Excellent

MeganeRS

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, I truly feel this car suits my taste! As for the exterior, I give it a 4 because its design is very sporty, especially with that big rear wing and 18-inch wheels, which often catch attention on the road. However, the front design might not appeal to everyone, as it looks a bit too aggressive. My wife even said it looks like an "angry little hot hatch," haha. For the interior, I also give it a 4. The overall layout feels racing-oriented, and the multifunctional steering wheel has an excellent grip. The 7-inch infotainment screen may not be particularly big, but it operates very smoothly. However, the materials feel a bit plasticky. Since it's a performance car, maybe the manufacturer focused more on the powertrain. The seats are manually adjustable; although not as convenient as electric, the wrapping is excellent, keeping you firmly in place during mountain runs. What satisfies me the most is the performance; it gets a solid 5! The 2.0T engine delivers truly fierce power. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 6 seconds, but it feels even faster in real-life driving. Especially on the highway, a press of the accelerator delivers an instant surge and thrilling acceleration. The roads in Malaysia are quite good, especially some of the rural mountain routes. The car’s handling is simply outstanding — steering is precise, the chassis is solid, and you feel extremely confident in corners. As for fuel consumption, it's around 10L/100km in the city, and it drops to 8L/100km on the highway, which is very friendly for a performance car. Overall, the 2015 Renault Megane RS 265 Cup is a very pure performance car. Although there’s still room for improvement in some details, for those who enjoy driving, it’s definitely a rare gem!