I bought an R in December 2020, after driving lots of fast prestige German cars. We also have a 3L 6 cylinder prestige car also, but both myself and my wife grab the Honda keys instead of the German car, that is also mega, but for pure driving pleasure - Oh my god we love it ❗️❤️
I have a 265 for over 10 years. The actual HP on mine is 308 and 311 on separate dynos. Now over 120k without a spanner on it. (Touch wood!). I totally respect Honda engines which are the heart and soul of the R. I would buy one except for the boy racer looks. The Megane looks elegant and quite frankly beautifully understated. In all are we not blessed with the most wonderful selection of hatches?
@@poolplexer on what fanboy planet are you living on ? It has been proven time and time again that these two cars are on pare when it comes to performance and handling .
@@cosmins3268 true with professional drivers but but the average joe in them and you can be sure they will be able to go faster immediately in the civic as it is more complient with the driver .
The more reviews I watch/read the more obvious it becomes that this Megane was designed for track-day use above everything else. Both cars are awesome though
@@layne4376 sorry buddy but beauty is in eye of viewer, can't argue what something or someonr looks...maybe you are pretty boy but for someone you're ugly bitch. Get the point?
@@goranjakopanec2289 No, I don't get the point. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but to a degree. That's why the term "kitsch" exist. The Type R is.. well, kitsch. You can love it or hate it, but you have to agree the styling is overly exagerated with no real use of doing so. Massive wing, 3 exhaust tips (which sound like shit, btw), 100000 fake vents. It's busy as hell. You have to agree, that's not a particularly stylish car. Or elegant. It's too much. Try to be objective. It's not as good looking as the Megane. But I agree, this generation, Renault did a worse job than it's competitors. Not that it's bad, but just not as good.
I love both cars as tools that do a great job. It is to my amusement that people who own the type r find it necessary to even mention its looks, like they feel the need to apologise for it....why even mention looks if there's not an issue, you like it that's it
I have the RS300 Trophy in automatic. It was irresistible once I realized it had a sunroof! The Type R was tempting but is always more expensive on the forecourt. Checking out fastest laps also shows that, if anything, the RS is abetter track car. But another crucial factor is that the Type R ONLY seats FOUR! This is in spite of its considerable width- which in certain UK country roads - is a problem. I often need to sit 3 in the back, but for some reason the Honda engineers left it at only 2 rear seats!
Totally can understand and see where Dan is coming from, but like all reviewers he’s taking down the mm of difference. Both cars are amazing for the average petrol head. I’ve bought the Megane after coming from a new V6 350 sport exige and can say yes not as fast off the line but down a country road still fantastically involving, rewarding and exciting to drive
Good review. I drove the Megane RS Cup, Type R and i30N back to back and ended up driving home in the Megane. Ok the ride isn't configurable but it's much more livable than my previous mk3 Focus RS despite that having two settings. Plus the interior of the Megane just felt a better place to do the daily grind. Less plasticky and more grown up than the civic and way way better than the Ford. i30N was good but felt most old school and most like a spruced up regular hatch.
@@mcpockok 14 months with the Focus was full of anxiety that the thing was going to break. Hard B road driving was pogo ride and torque steering on anything but a perfect surface. I've had the Megane over 2 years now and feel it can be pushed harder on a B road without fear it will break or veer you into a ditch.
if you want a boring hot hatch get a golf R or GTI, i want my hot hatch to look like a hot hatch so im glad i got a type R, initially i was worried the looks would fade on me after a year but ive never liked it more. end of the day its a matter of opinion, more people have sparked up a conversation with me about it than any other regular car (non supercar). and its absolutely savage with its acceleration and yet the thing people love most is the comfy front seats haha
Kay Faulds good for you man. I’m glad somebody bought the car they wanted, instead listening to the buying sheep who all buy Volkswagens or bmw,s to fit in
The only car owners that have showed interest in my fk8 are proper car enthusiasts. I’ve had a lengthy chat with a new rs5 owner who parked next to me interested in it, yesterday a 911 owner was asking me what it’s like to drive and own. You won’t get that in a golf r or a m140. The Renault looks great and has a strong pedigree but it’s no where near as unique and special as the fk8.
@@lukegodfrey9391 couldn't agree more mate, the other day i passed a focus RS there was a mutual respect between us, car enthusiast. Nothing worse than people who just want a golf because everyone else has one.
@@lukegodfrey9391 that word "special" is the most fitting. From the interior to the exterior, to the driving experience, the way it is so capable and sophisticated is definitely special.
If the Trophy is too stiff, why then not pick the normal R.S. I honestly got a bit confisued, you wanted a sporty, unusual hot hatch and yet you critic the suspension of the R.S. Both honestly do their work, but at the same time seem a little bit too much of a compromise. I can understand - in my true honesty beeing a Renault fan - that people choose a Golf R. Just saying.
Have to say, as a RS265 owner, I prefer the type R more. Only because Renault lost their "in your face" look with the new 5 door hatch ...... Gosh I miss the R26
Type-R is just so much more honed and perfected. Honda has just done a great job building a whole package that works on almost every occasion and has a quality feel to its suspension, gearbox and motor that the Megane just can't match. On the other Hand the Megane is the track tool of choice.
People will say bad investment... Hate to say it.. Better than crashing a silly fast bmw 140 or rs3 like some I know have! Like the latest Impreza wrx these cars ended up actually being owned by respectful fans of cars, everyone else got a Golf R 👏
I've driven the I30N performance, Civic type R, Megane 280 cup and the Megane trophy. The civic is very urgent and definitely feels the strongest to drive and the brake pedal feel which was mentioned in all the reviews 2 years ago is epic. The i30N is rather impressive also, but seemed to not give the same sense of occasion that the megane or civic does. The megane suspension is fine, I have an FN2 and the megane is like a rolls royce in comparison to that. The engine and exhaust in the megane sound good and the standard type alcantara seats that were in the 280 cup and the recaros that were in the trophy are really good. The trophy recaros especially go really low, I was able to get a really nice driving position. Stepping into the type r feels like stepping into a race car though.
I seem to cannot understand the passage about sense of occasion. Most reviewers have said that, for someone purely interested in how they drive, the i30N is a better proposition than the new Megane. What do you mean?
I'd take the civic everytime. Not cause of the looks, I like both, they are different, one is more aggressive, yes, but still I don't feel it offensive. But as a car, as an hot hatch, the civic does everything, confort, space, trunk space, construction quality and I don't mean the plastics feel although they are quite good too. All in all, as an whole, a product, you get more from the civic. Thx and good videos 👍
so what do you buy? I'm torn with the exception of styling as a review measure. I'm a Honda fan, but I think its clear to anyone with taste, the Honda appeals to milleanials who mostly can't afford a new car.
@@KRBY555 the type r looks beautiful and sexy in every angle ( for me). I dont know why people say it ugly and overstyled but it looks absolutely beautiful. Its a piece of art ( engine + chasis + style )
i've only seen one megane rs in the metal and it did look good. however, i'd buy a car like this for how it drives, and the civic edges it for me. i personally also happen to like how it looks.
@@KRBY555 your comment sounds very dumb. What you dont like doesnt mean its bad or ugly. LOL at "not being racist", I know that Im better than you in every way so no shjt given here whether you being racist or not. "Asian cars" with "Asian styling" are rulling the world automobile at the moment so its okay you can be racist and drive your "non-asian styling" car. I dont really care whether you like it or not, its not my business anyway so no need to debate here. Peace ✌️
TheTonicro in my opinion it looks fantastic, they are functional I can explain almost everything. They will grow on you, It’s striking with its “coupe” looks. Saying that you will have to own one for that to happen.
Not a bad contender to compete against the mighty CTR. All the others left the table... But, there is still no Renaults sold in the USA. Maybe Nissan or Mitsubishi can rebadge one under the alliance, and bring it over. The next EVO maybe? The first hot hatch for Nissan maybe? Nissan Megane RS Trophy?
I have a Clio Cup 172 (02) so I am a bit biased. I chose the Megane RS, looks the best. PS, most Renault RS cars are rather firm, no more so than my Cup 172, but yet the wife and I took it to Le Mans for the MotoGP from Glasgow, loaded up with clothing and lager (French bierre is pure pants) and it was brill. Looking to get a deal on a Megane RS soon. Cheers. Gee.
Both are really great cars: Trophy300 is such an aggressive, harsh and vocal car with beautiful hot hatch looks.... the TypeR on the other side, the best drivers car hot hatch IMO, it looks as the Trophy300 drives.... so: it’s really a matter of taste. For me: I did buy the Megane, knowing the TypeR is the slightly better (to drive) car...
The megane needs to be driven with the edc gearbox completly changes the, way u drive it I drove the manual 1 and came away thinking wasn't bad but drove the edc 1 few months later and was like omg the car just flys with it and because it revs so fast you can just bang the gears at it
not sure if they used the manual or the edc to do the nurburghring record but if they did use the edc then those 3 sec are easily shaved from gear changes compared to the fk8 manual gearbox
So as an uncivilised Hot hatch comparison our verdict is the more civilised hot hatch. Great review just think the Megane has more drama about it from the driver's seat.
I'd take the Type-R but being slightly obsessed with detailing the Type-R looks like a nightmare to work on with all those nooks and crannies. The Megane though, I've never ever liked any Reanult at all, spare the A110 Alpine. The Megane is just so dull. What I need is a middle ground betwwen the Type-R and Megane :)
I've owned and love my 1999 Integra (Acura) Type R for 20 years. The looks and design of this car was way ahead of its time, with LSD back in the late 90's. It's the last of the ( hand-built) naturally aspirated engines and runs better than when it was new. I'm just about to clock 300,000 Kms and have never touched the engine, though I rev it to 9,000rpm almost every day. Regardless of the Civic Type R's performance, it was designed by a group of young guns and sorry, I think it is bloody ugly! The new Megane RS300 seems to earn the new 'King of the Road' status.
Really nice video and the review, perfect shots, edit, everything! I ordered Megane RS Trophy..main reason was the EDC gearbox which I prefer, and second was the price which I managed to get.
I'd rather have the i30 N over all these options. Enough fun and stylish looks. Of these two, Megan would be my pick as it looks beautiful next to the hideous Type R
You're right , to be honest on the road you can pick what you want , you will probably be as fast as any of the other options , for track use , you might have to pick one of these 2 , or previous gen megane. Dont get me wrong , im a great fan of the i30n , did a test ride for one , when i wanted to buy one , but its too heavy and you can feel it 'alot' , finally bought a megane 3 rs trophy , for 10k less than a i30n
@@nawttv9095 One advantage a new i30N has over your used Megane RS is 5 years unlimited mileage warranty including Track use. So you can do track days, hillclimbs and still keep your warranty. Blow the engine in the first 5 years and it's Hyundai that repair it.
@@bat33.12 yes thats true , and it has more tech in it as well, which i personally dont need , but i got an insurance which covers all of that too (full omnium). If i bought the i30n i would have gotten the same insurance since it covers everything so i just ended up paying 16k less for a bit of less tech
I quite like the Civic's looks, but my reservation about it is the body length, and also its width. Even looks-wise, it would gain from being some 5-6 inches shorter at least. The width makes it uncomfortable (if not impossible) to manoeuvre it around in old, narrow-street towns, and wherever parking isn't a civilized practice. Cars are increasingly resembling trucks in size. Of course, the Megane is equally wide, and that is equally annoying. But at least the length isn't truck-like. And it is very sightly.
I bet you had never drove something bigger than a Fiesta in your life. Maybe you should, there are cars way bigger than this Type R: Passat Estate, BMW 5xx, SKODA Superb and a bunch of many others. 😁
The comments section illustrates what a conservative bunch we are when it comes to liking or owning a car. Look round a car park, it's full of grey boxes on wheels. Is the Honda so unusual or do people just repeat parrot fashion what they are spoon fed. I want an hot hatch to look hot, to be a little over the top, to be a poster on the wall of all 12 year old boys. A hot hatch should look like it's looking for a fight not like it's looking for its pipe and slippers. I do like the Megan, I did have it on my wish list but own a Honda FK8 in blue and love it.
People who drive the fk8 loved the look, thought "why the f not" and just go and buy one..... then love it every day and when seeing a golf r or GTI knowing that they actually wanted the fk8 but care way too much about looking grown up
The megane requires higher driving skills while type R allows amateurs to drive fast easily. Megane has more rawness and handling while civic is more stable and comfortable.
When talking about the comfort mode he forgets to mention the amount of lag from the engine.. I really think its Nice it be compliant. But then you need to control the engine also.. And a hot hatch should be Hard riding.. Its a part of beeing a hot hatch
Civic for sure. The Renault has that "french" factor that does not get me excited. The Type R matches the hot hatch looks and performance, and I understand that's not for everybody to like.
For my taste Type R looks great and is better overall than the Megane, sporty exterior, better comfort, more capable. I just love that big wing on the back, the only thing that i don't like is the rear wiper, looks so old fashion and cheap. I saw the votes on CarWow review of Civic Type R and there more than 80% of voters agreed that Honda looks great! So, is a very desirable car. ✌️
The Honda Civic Type R looks like an old-school Japanese Mecha Robot. When you actually go out for a test drive in the car, you can really feel connected to the road in both Comfort and Type R mode. Great practicality with brilliantly designed hatch too. Really have to give a hand to the British folks that built this car and the Japanese/American/British engineers. I greatly admire the French Renault Megane, and it's much better than the Volkswagon GTi and Hyundai i30N, but falls short as both a weekend car along with family hauling credentials.
I've driven both and I perfer the Megane. Its better looking, much quieter and has a better stereo. Its has also got only 160 hp in comfort mode. This is perfect for me as i need to be able to teach my kids how to drive in my next car. The civic is a brilliant car, but it's emberessing to be seen in. It must be designed by 14 year old. Loose that ridiculus rear wing (no use under 220 km/h anyway) and give me option of black interior. Also it needs different wheels as its annoyingly loud at 110 km/h.
I think journalists overrate steering feel these days. Most people just don't care about steering feel, they are interested in the steering lightness or heaviness and input/ ratios. I would agree that in comfort mode the CTR would be more comfortable, however not being able to use the "R" button unless on a super smooth road or racing track is a major negative to me. The adaptive suspension is great, however, the disadvantage is that the driver of the CTR has to plan ahead in terms of suspension settings If he(she) wishes to optimally take a corner or section of a road in a spirited fashion The driver of the Trophy can make a split-second decision to quickly take a curve /corner without any suspension adjustment.
BMWPower you are way overthinking this. Unless you are driving 10/10ths on the street for some reason, the CTR will take any corner fine in any mode. The only difference in performance is going to be at the very edge of grip which you shouldn’t be at on the street. In my experience R mode is perfectly fine on all but the most bumpy of roads.
Why do things have to be so complicated? All the modes, all the adjustments all the complexity.... I just want one mode and it should be the best mode. Comfortable and responsive, it's not difficult.
I’ve got the Honda. Absolutely mega car! Practical and frugal(ish) when you need it to be. Proper sports car when the occasion arises. The only bad point I’ll give is the oversized wheels and rubber band tyres. I don’t understand how they made it through to production. They’re fine on a relatively smooth road, but any ripples in the tarmac or even an aggressive cats eye can be felt more than firmly through the chassis. This upsets an otherwise near perfect suspension setup. I’ve ordered some 18” wheels and slightly more meaty tyres which will hopefully eradicate this problem!
Do 18" wheels fit over the front brakes? The last CTR was on 19" wheels and some road testers wondered if they would better fit the current model because it was flat spotting wheel rims and puncturing tyres on the poorly maintained UK roads. EVO flat spotted a rim which had to be replaced at great expense and had 2 punctures F&R on the same side and same day but finding 20" tyres on the shelf isn't common so the car had to be picked up on a flat bed. Autocar had similar fun with wheel and tyres issues. Most of the testers seemed to believe the continentals the Honda test cars were fitted with were some sort of super soft special because they were only lasting about 6k miles and at £250 each that gets expensive quick
The Type R is like either you love it or hate it. My verdict. I LOVE IT. owned the car for a week and the comfort mode is brilliant for London driving. Soft steering and soft dampers. If I want to have some fun then Sports mode is brilliant and very responsive. If I want to go crazy, then the +R mode is aggressive and it becomes mad. The R is a all rounder and easy to live with and affordable to run on a daily basis. The amount of looks and compliment you'd get in the R, it amazes me and I've only had it for a week. I've had French cars for short while and they always have issues after a short time. Honda engine are the most reliable I've ever had. Cannot go wrong at all. The best is the R for me as I've done alot of research before purchasing and it worked out perfect for me.
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The Megane just looks amazing
My R lives in Sport mode, I use R when I am screwing around and comfort only when on a bumpy road. #26306 Love my R
29486 here. Sport mode is legit.
Love this car. Going to get a second one.
I bought an R in December 2020, after driving lots of fast prestige German cars. We also have a 3L 6 cylinder prestige car also, but both myself and my wife grab the Honda keys instead of the German car, that is also mega, but for pure driving pleasure - Oh my god we love it ❗️❤️
FK2 #472 here!
Wait you guys are already at car number 30,000 odd already?!
I almost bought the Trophy 300 but after 19 years of having renault I went for the Type R and have no regrets love it
Jeremy Clarkson's column on the Trophy is spot on. That car is a killer..
I have a 265 for over 10 years. The actual HP on mine is 308 and 311 on separate dynos. Now over 120k without a spanner on it. (Touch wood!).
I totally respect Honda engines which are the heart and soul of the R.
I would buy one except for the boy racer looks. The Megane looks elegant and quite frankly beautifully understated.
In all are we not blessed with the most wonderful selection of hatches?
100% I’d take the Megane! Looks and sound win big for me!
Just put a catback on the Type R. I find Honda dealers aren't cunts and if you ask nicely it won't void your warranty.
Looks and sounds fail compared to handling and performance.
@@poolplexer on what fanboy planet are you living on ? It has been proven time and time again that these two cars are on pare when it comes to performance and handling .
@@cosmins3268 true with professional drivers but but the average joe in them and you can be sure they will be able to go faster immediately in the civic as it is more complient with the driver .
Got my Type R in November 2018 and nothing I've seen/driven before or since has made me doubt my decision. Special car, even when just pootling about.
The more reviews I watch/read the more obvious it becomes that this Megane was designed for track-day use above everything else. Both cars are awesome though
The Trophy, surely. The normal one with the Cup option, yes too. But the base RS, no.
I choose the Type R, own one since Feb 2019 and am just so happy. Love it's looks too.
Such a great car isn't it? So livable and yet so focused.
@@vasekvi I'll say so. Used to own the older Civic, was also a great car. After 256k I switched to this baby 👍😎
@@layne4376 sorry buddy but beauty is in eye of viewer, can't argue what something or someonr looks...maybe you are pretty boy but for someone you're ugly bitch. Get the point?
@@goranjakopanec2289 No, I don't get the point. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but to a degree. That's why the term "kitsch" exist. The Type R is.. well, kitsch. You can love it or hate it, but you have to agree the styling is overly exagerated with no real use of doing so. Massive wing, 3 exhaust tips (which sound like shit, btw), 100000 fake vents. It's busy as hell. You have to agree, that's not a particularly stylish car. Or elegant. It's too much.
Try to be objective. It's not as good looking as the Megane. But I agree, this generation, Renault did a worse job than it's competitors. Not that it's bad, but just not as good.
I love both cars as tools that do a great job.
It is to my amusement that people who own the type r find it necessary to even mention its looks, like they feel the need to apologise for it....why even mention looks if there's not an issue, you like it that's it
I have the RS300 Trophy in automatic. It was irresistible once I realized it had a sunroof! The Type R was tempting but is always more expensive on the forecourt. Checking out fastest laps also shows that, if anything, the RS is abetter track car. But another crucial factor is that the Type R ONLY seats FOUR! This is in spite of its considerable width- which in certain UK country roads - is a problem. I often need to sit 3 in the back, but for some reason the Honda engineers left it at only 2 rear seats!
This may seem biased but I would choose the Megan's RS TROPHY because I like more aggressive cars like it
That driver focus is loved by a lot of people
Totally can understand and see where Dan is coming from, but like all reviewers he’s taking down the mm of difference. Both cars are amazing for the average petrol head. I’ve bought the Megane after coming from a new V6 350 sport exige and can say yes not as fast off the line but down a country road still fantastically involving, rewarding and exciting to drive
Involved and rewarding.. you hit the nail on the head..
Good review. I drove the Megane RS Cup, Type R and i30N back to back and ended up driving home in the Megane.
Ok the ride isn't configurable but it's much more livable than my previous mk3 Focus RS despite that having two settings. Plus the interior of the Megane just felt a better place to do the daily grind. Less plasticky and more grown up than the civic and way way better than the Ford.
i30N was good but felt most old school and most like a spruced up regular hatch.
Don't know how you found the Renault interior better than the Civic interior.
My partner has a Civic, interior build isn't that good.
I just wish they did an optional extra of adaptive suspension id have been be sold i love the Renault looks
Which was more fun? The megane cup or focus rs?
@@mcpockok 14 months with the Focus was full of anxiety that the thing was going to break. Hard B road driving was pogo ride and torque steering on anything but a perfect surface.
I've had the Megane over 2 years now and feel it can be pushed harder on a B road without fear it will break or veer you into a ditch.
Civic type r 👍🏼
Nice review wish we had Renault in the states Europe has the best hot hatches to choose from !!!👍🏻
I rush we would get the i30 N along side the Veloster N
Can we trade our hot hatches for your V8's ? 😉
Megane trophy👍
if you want a boring hot hatch get a golf R or GTI, i want my hot hatch to look like a hot hatch so im glad i got a type R, initially i was worried the looks would fade on me after a year but ive never liked it more. end of the day its a matter of opinion, more people have sparked up a conversation with me about it than any other regular car (non supercar). and its absolutely savage with its acceleration and yet the thing people love most is the comfy front seats haha
The conversations that have been started over my Type R would never ever have happened with any GTI or Golf R
Kay Faulds good for you man. I’m glad somebody bought the car they wanted, instead listening to the buying sheep who all buy Volkswagens or bmw,s to fit in
The only car owners that have showed interest in my fk8 are proper car enthusiasts. I’ve had a lengthy chat with a new rs5 owner who parked next to me interested in it, yesterday a 911 owner was asking me what it’s like to drive and own. You won’t get that in a golf r or a m140. The Renault looks great and has a strong pedigree but it’s no where near as unique and special as the fk8.
@@lukegodfrey9391 couldn't agree more mate, the other day i passed a focus RS there was a mutual respect between us, car enthusiast. Nothing worse than people who just want a golf because everyone else has one.
@@lukegodfrey9391 that word "special" is the most fitting. From the interior to the exterior, to the driving experience, the way it is so capable and sophisticated is definitely special.
I will take the Megane any day
Ctr is the best hothatch of all time
If the Trophy is too stiff, why then not pick the normal R.S. I honestly got a bit confisued, you wanted a sporty, unusual hot hatch and yet you critic the suspension of the R.S.
Both honestly do their work, but at the same time seem a little bit too much of a compromise. I can understand - in my true honesty beeing a Renault fan - that people choose a Golf R. Just saying.
Megane Rs 😍
Ctr all day bro...its made an impact all over the world, Megane still a good car though
Have to say, as a RS265 owner, I prefer the type R more. Only because Renault lost their "in your face" look with the new 5 door hatch ......
Gosh I miss the R26
I love my R26. Such a distinctive looking car, specially in LY.
Type-R is just so much more honed and perfected. Honda has just done a great job building a whole package that works on almost every occasion and has a quality feel to its suspension, gearbox and motor that the Megane just can't match. On the other Hand the Megane is the track tool of choice.
The meganes depreciation is going to be terrible so it will make a good 2nd hand buy.
Becaus of poor Renault quality with second hand buy you can make bargain..but keeping longer will cost alot repairs
Megane rs trophy!!!
These two are like the two best in their division, like the two best middleweights finally doing battle
Type R is way more practical and has a better engine also will go down as a collectable easy pic 4 me .
I miss dash board mounted manual shift. If you know you know!
Yes the EP3 is still the best CTR ever! Get a supercharger kit and it is up to date ;)
Renault Megane RS Trophy !!!
Type R definitely the best in it's class
People will say bad investment...
Hate to say it..
Better than crashing a silly fast bmw 140 or rs3 like some I know have! Like the latest Impreza wrx these cars ended up actually being owned by respectful fans of cars, everyone else got a Golf R 👏
I tried a 140 and it was so disconnected; I didn’t like it at all
I've driven the I30N performance, Civic type R, Megane 280 cup and the Megane trophy.
The civic is very urgent and definitely feels the strongest to drive and the brake pedal feel which was mentioned in all the reviews 2 years ago is epic. The i30N is rather impressive also, but seemed to not give the same sense of occasion that the megane or civic does.
The megane suspension is fine, I have an FN2 and the megane is like a rolls royce in comparison to that. The engine and exhaust in the megane sound good and the standard type alcantara seats that were in the 280 cup and the recaros that were in the trophy are really good. The trophy recaros especially go really low, I was able to get a really nice driving position. Stepping into the type r feels like stepping into a race car though.
I seem to cannot understand the passage about sense of occasion. Most reviewers have said that, for someone purely interested in how they drive, the i30N is a better proposition than the new Megane. What do you mean?
These cars are 'uncivilized'? 😂 All modern cars are civilized.
Megane rs trophy!!! for me, i have the 1.5 SNAV diesel and love the look and style. The Type r for me have always looked a tad ugly.
Megane uses a torsion beam not a multi link rear end
Type R, that’s why I’m buying one soon. Previous car FK2.
I'd take the civic everytime. Not cause of the looks, I like both, they are different, one is more aggressive, yes, but still I don't feel it offensive. But as a car, as an hot hatch, the civic does everything, confort, space, trunk space, construction quality and I don't mean the plastics feel although they are quite good too. All in all, as an whole, a product, you get more from the civic. Thx and good videos 👍
Like Dan, I’d choose the Renault for looks - but the Honda for driveability
so what do you buy?
I'm torn with the exception of styling as a review measure. I'm a Honda fan, but I think its clear to anyone with taste, the Honda appeals to milleanials who mostly can't afford a new car.
@@KRBY555 the type r looks beautiful and sexy in every angle ( for me). I dont know why people say it ugly and overstyled but it looks absolutely beautiful. Its a piece of art ( engine + chasis + style )
i've only seen one megane rs in the metal and it did look good. however, i'd buy a car like this for how it drives, and the civic edges it for me. i personally also happen to like how it looks.
Huy Nguyen very Asian styling. So no surprise you like it. Not trying to be racist or anything but regional styling trends are real
@@KRBY555 your comment sounds very dumb. What you dont like doesnt mean its bad or ugly. LOL at "not being racist", I know that Im better than you in every way so no shjt given here whether you being racist or not. "Asian cars" with "Asian styling" are rulling the world automobile at the moment so its okay you can be racist and drive your "non-asian styling" car. I dont really care whether you like it or not, its not my business anyway so no need to debate here. Peace ✌️
i really want to like the civic but can't get over the looks
TheTonicro in my opinion it looks fantastic, they are functional I can explain almost everything. They will grow on you, It’s striking with its “coupe” looks. Saying that you will have to own one for that to happen.
I don’t know I love the car’s look so much I bought one
Couldn't agree more. It's easily the ugliest car currently in production. Only 12 year olds that watch anime think it's cool.
Believe it or not, you get use to it after a while.
Blake Swan
Plenty of people like it mate, you don’t have to insult the owners
Not a bad contender to compete against the mighty CTR. All the others left the table... But, there is still no Renaults sold in the USA. Maybe Nissan or Mitsubishi can rebadge one under the alliance, and bring it over. The next EVO maybe? The first hot hatch for Nissan maybe? Nissan Megane RS Trophy?
Megane anyday anytime.
Renault forever!!!
The rear of that honda is just beautiful.
Said the man with no eyes
Blake Swan was. To him it is? What’s the problem?..
Yes if you squint from half mile away.
Excellent video comparison by Dan and the Piston Heads team 👏Keep up the good work
I have a Clio Cup 172 (02) so I am a bit biased. I chose the Megane RS, looks the best. PS, most Renault RS cars are rather firm, no more so than my Cup 172, but yet the wife and I took it to Le Mans for the MotoGP from Glasgow, loaded up with clothing and lager (French bierre is pure pants) and it was brill. Looking to get a deal on a Megane RS soon. Cheers. Gee.
Both are really great cars: Trophy300 is such an aggressive, harsh and vocal car with beautiful hot hatch looks.... the TypeR on the other side, the best drivers car hot hatch IMO, it looks as the Trophy300 drives.... so: it’s really a matter of taste. For me: I did buy the Megane, knowing the TypeR is the slightly better (to drive) car...
Type r all day long, looks and usability are fantastic.
Megane all day for me. The Honda wouldn’t even get a look in!
MEGANE !!
Then you've missed out on a special car.
Megane uses torsion rear suspension, not multi-link.
Steve Poyser don’t think so, coil springs at the rear in this model year.
@@cnewto12 nope..still a beam.Just because it has coil springs doesnt change anything.My Megane R26 has a torsion bar with a rear spring set-up
@@amyjeffs3269 torsion bar suspension does not have coil springs though. The torsion bar is the spring. Get your point about the beam though.
You drive cars or technicals specs?.
Type R FK8 Facelift since November 2023…. I love it
The megane needs to be driven with the edc gearbox completly changes the, way u drive it I drove the manual 1 and came away thinking wasn't bad but drove the edc 1 few months later and was like omg the car just flys with it and because it revs so fast you can just bang the gears at it
not sure if they used the manual or the edc to do the nurburghring record but if they did use the edc then those 3 sec are easily shaved from gear changes compared to the fk8 manual gearbox
Didn’t know Chris Martin did car reviews
Good one :)
So as an uncivilised Hot hatch comparison our verdict is the more civilised hot hatch. Great review just think the Megane has more drama about it from the driver's seat.
I'd take the Type-R but being slightly obsessed with detailing the Type-R looks like a nightmare to work on with all those nooks and crannies. The Megane though, I've never ever liked any Reanult at all, spare the A110 Alpine. The Megane is just so dull. What I need is a middle ground betwwen the Type-R and Megane :)
That’s the I30N Performance you’re after then - they’re dirt cheap now since they didn’t sell as well as expected
I've owned and love my 1999 Integra (Acura) Type R for 20 years. The looks and design of this car was way ahead of its time, with LSD back in the late 90's. It's the last of the ( hand-built) naturally aspirated engines and runs better than when it was new. I'm just about to clock 300,000 Kms and have never touched the engine, though I rev it to 9,000rpm almost every day. Regardless of the Civic Type R's performance, it was designed by a group of young guns and sorry, I think it is bloody ugly! The new Megane RS300 seems to earn the new 'King of the Road' status.
I like passing the corners with more speed sow definitely the megane Rs is the best choice for me
then u didnt understand a thing from this video
benamara youcef 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
Really nice video and the review, perfect shots, edit, everything! I ordered Megane RS Trophy..main reason was the EDC gearbox which I prefer, and second was the price which I managed to get.
I'd rather have the i30 N over all these options. Enough fun and stylish looks. Of these two, Megan would be my pick as it looks beautiful next to the hideous Type R
You're right , to be honest on the road you can pick what you want , you will probably be as fast as any of the other options , for track use , you might have to pick one of these 2 , or previous gen megane. Dont get me wrong , im a great fan of the i30n , did a test ride for one , when i wanted to buy one , but its too heavy and you can feel it 'alot' , finally bought a megane 3 rs trophy , for 10k less than a i30n
Nawt TV so you choosed an old Renault over a new Hyundai i30N 👏🏻👏🏻 well done . Best choice 😃😀😑
@@popsandbangs8858 new doesnt always mean better , i got a better car now for half the price , indeed best choice
@@nawttv9095 One advantage a new i30N has over your used Megane RS is 5 years unlimited mileage warranty including Track use. So you can do track days, hillclimbs and still keep your warranty. Blow the engine in the first 5 years and it's Hyundai that repair it.
@@bat33.12 yes thats true , and it has more tech in it as well, which i personally dont need , but i got an insurance which covers all of that too (full omnium). If i bought the i30n i would have gotten the same insurance since it covers everything so i just ended up paying 16k less for a bit of less tech
I quite like the Civic's looks, but my reservation about it is the body length, and also its width. Even looks-wise, it would gain from being some 5-6 inches shorter at least. The width makes it uncomfortable (if not impossible) to manoeuvre it around in old, narrow-street towns, and wherever parking isn't a civilized practice. Cars are increasingly resembling trucks in size.
Of course, the Megane is equally wide, and that is equally annoying. But at least the length isn't truck-like. And it is very sightly.
I bet you had never drove something bigger than a Fiesta in your life. Maybe you should, there are cars way bigger than this Type R: Passat Estate, BMW 5xx, SKODA Superb and a bunch of many others. 😁
@@motorhead16 yes but you can't deny that megane and civic are pretty big cars.
That’s an awful lot of money for a car I could not face looking at inside and out, so I’d have the Renault
I'll take the Megane all day . It's just as fast as the honda and it's better looking . In my eyes .
The comments section illustrates what a conservative bunch we are when it comes to liking or owning a car. Look round a car park, it's full of grey boxes on wheels. Is the Honda so unusual or do people just repeat parrot fashion what they are spoon fed. I want an hot hatch to look hot, to be a little over the top, to be a poster on the wall of all 12 year old boys. A hot hatch should look like it's looking for a fight not like it's looking for its pipe and slippers. I do like the Megan, I did have it on my wish list but own a Honda FK8 in blue and love it.
You explained it well. People became boring, so did their taste.
People who drive the fk8 loved the look, thought "why the f not" and just go and buy one..... then love it every day and when seeing a golf r or GTI knowing that they actually wanted the fk8 but care way too much about looking grown up
KING Type-R STILL ON THRONE
Previous type R's looked great but this one looks like a bucket of smashed crabs, I know its gonna drive great but I can't get over the looks.
that is why i got the fk2 R instead of this ;)
Awesome video, top work. It’s the Renault for me all day.
Renault rs ❤️
The megane requires higher driving skills while type R allows amateurs to drive fast easily. Megane has more rawness and handling while civic is more stable and comfortable.
Great comparison Dan 👍
The Megan's fog lights remind me of the VW Golf R32 logo.
Yeah, the chequered flag...
Has to be the Megane RS Trophy!!!
Type R King of Hot Hatch
When talking about the comfort mode he forgets to mention the amount of lag from the engine.. I really think its Nice it be compliant. But then you need to control the engine also.. And a hot hatch should be Hard riding.. Its a part of beeing a hot hatch
This is exactly my current shortlist so thanks for deciding it for me once and for all.
Civic for sure. The Renault has that "french" factor that does not get me excited. The Type R matches the hot hatch looks and performance, and I understand that's not for everybody to like.
DP, am waiting on you to get your paws on your own A110! 😬
That's a bitchy beast... Definitely no.1
CTR = hail to the King, FK8 FTW!
For my taste Type R looks great and is better overall than the Megane, sporty exterior, better comfort, more capable. I just love that big wing on the back, the only thing that i don't like is the rear wiper, looks so old fashion and cheap. I saw the votes on CarWow review of Civic Type R and there more than 80% of voters agreed that Honda looks great! So, is a very desirable car. ✌️
Megane everyday but am biased and don’t know if new car is better than the RS265 I use as my daily
Japan always wins with cars in my opinion
japan wins with cars just like gp2 engine in f1 and mercedes f1 laughing at honda f1 from 2015 in mclaren
@@tonypuertollano9375 what's F1? Its shit
@@bassicuk1986 he does not know f1 1986 must be year he is born needs go back to school
@@tonypuertollano9375 he obviously knows nothing of Ayrton Sienna and the development of the NSX neither.
@@bassicuk1986 you are talking so much shit now about what ? why you talking of ayrton senna which you cant spell
Renault every time
Megane for me
The Honda Civic Type R looks like an old-school Japanese Mecha Robot. When you actually go out for a test drive in the car, you can really feel connected to the road in both Comfort and Type R mode. Great practicality with brilliantly designed hatch too. Really have to give a hand to the British folks that built this car and the Japanese/American/British engineers. I greatly admire the French Renault Megane, and it's much better than the Volkswagon GTi and Hyundai i30N, but falls short as both a weekend car along with family hauling credentials.
Both cracking cars 👍
I've driven both and I perfer the Megane. Its better looking, much quieter and has a better stereo. Its has also got only 160 hp in comfort mode. This is perfect for me as i need to be able to teach my kids how to drive in my next car. The civic is a brilliant car, but it's emberessing to be seen in. It must be designed by 14 year old. Loose that ridiculus rear wing (no use under 220 km/h anyway) and give me option of black interior. Also it needs different wheels as its annoyingly loud at 110 km/h.
Think the N Hyundais and new Focus ST are in with a shout.
Love my Type R! Thing is an absolute blast! Pure driving joy!
I think journalists overrate steering feel these days. Most people just don't care about steering feel, they are interested in the steering lightness or heaviness and input/ ratios.
I would agree that in comfort mode the CTR would be more comfortable, however not being able to use the "R" button unless on a super smooth road or racing track is a major negative to me.
The adaptive suspension is great, however, the disadvantage is that the driver of the CTR has to plan ahead in terms of suspension settings If he(she) wishes to optimally take a corner or section of a road in a spirited fashion The driver of the Trophy can make a split-second decision to quickly take a curve /corner without any suspension adjustment.
BMWPower you are way overthinking this. Unless you are driving 10/10ths on the street for some reason, the CTR will take any corner fine in any mode. The only difference in performance is going to be at the very edge of grip which you shouldn’t be at on the street. In my experience R mode is perfectly fine on all but the most bumpy of roads.
Is French car reliable?
If the Type R's looks are not for you, but still want the electronically adjustable suspension, get a Leon Cupra.
nice review
Why do things have to be so complicated? All the modes, all the adjustments all the complexity.... I just want one mode and it should be the best mode. Comfortable and responsive, it's not difficult.
Veloster N though
The Honda drive with the Renault looks....ye that'd be nice
I’ve got the Honda.
Absolutely mega car! Practical and frugal(ish) when you need it to be. Proper sports car when the occasion arises.
The only bad point I’ll give is the oversized wheels and rubber band tyres. I don’t understand how they made it through to production.
They’re fine on a relatively smooth road, but any ripples in the tarmac or even an aggressive cats eye can be felt more than firmly through the chassis. This upsets an otherwise near perfect suspension setup.
I’ve ordered some 18” wheels and slightly more meaty tyres which will hopefully eradicate this problem!
I'm sorry
Do 18" wheels fit over the front brakes? The last CTR was on 19" wheels and some road testers wondered if they would better fit the current model because it was flat spotting wheel rims and puncturing tyres on the poorly maintained UK roads. EVO flat spotted a rim which had to be replaced at great expense and had 2 punctures F&R on the same side and same day but finding 20" tyres on the shelf isn't common so the car had to be picked up on a flat bed. Autocar had similar fun with wheel and tyres issues. Most of the testers seemed to believe the continentals the Honda test cars were fitted with were some sort of super soft special because they were only lasting about 6k miles and at £250 each that gets expensive quick
Type r all day and night!!!!
The Type R is like either you love it or hate it. My verdict. I LOVE IT. owned the car for a week and the comfort mode is brilliant for London driving. Soft steering and soft dampers. If I want to have some fun then Sports mode is brilliant and very responsive. If I want to go crazy, then the +R mode is aggressive and it becomes mad. The R is a all rounder and easy to live with and affordable to run on a daily basis. The amount of looks and compliment you'd get in the R, it amazes me and I've only had it for a week. I've had French cars for short while and they always have issues after a short time. Honda engine are the most reliable I've ever had. Cannot go wrong at all. The best is the R for me as I've done alot of research before purchasing and it worked out perfect for me.
By the looks, megane wins
By the performance, civic wins
But they both are great cars.
Does the FK8 drive better (more comfortable) than the FK2?
FK2 is really unbearably hard, it's acruallt ridiculous
Renault just looks so good. 😎 Even now. In 2023.