Renault Megane Renaultsport (2009 – 2016) Review

Renault Megane Renaultsport (2009 – 2016) At A Glance

4/5

+Handling ability is a huge asset and it remains the benchmark for its class. Affordable with reasonable running costs for a hot hatch.

-The infotainment screen and navigation are dated. Refinement is not as good as in some rivals which is a trade-off for the Megane’s raw nature.

Insurance Groups are between 17–40
On average it achieves 79% of the official MPG figure

If you like your hot hatches raw in the middle, the Megane Renaultsport is the ideal way to cater for your performance tastes. Unlike many of its rivals, the Megane RS eschews an excess of electronic aids to make it quick. Instead it prefers the tried and trusted method of plenty of power and letting the driver decide how to use it best.

Starting out life in 2010 based on the third generation of Megane Coupe, the Renaultsport initially had 250PS. This was supplemented with the Trophy model that boasted 265PS. In time, that more powerful engine became standard across the range, but Renaultsport fans still wanted more.

So, in 2014, the 275 Trophy pitched up with a 275PS version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Driving through a six-speed manual gearbox, which all Megane RS models do, it’s capable of 0-62mph in 6.0 seconds flat.

However, Renaultsport went even further, as its usual way, with the 275 Trophy-R. Although there’s no more power, the R has a lighter exhaust, bigger brakes, stickier tyres and uprated suspension that results in an even more agile and quicker all-round car.

While fans of the Megane Renaultsport tend to revel in its extreme nature as the car needs to be driven hard to get the best from it, it is still a Megane Coupe. This means it’s easy to fit in normal parking spaces and will carry the kids and shopping when not hurtling around a race track.

The Megane RS is also one of the most affordable extreme hot hatches thanks to Renault keeping the cost under that of most competitors. It means the hardest charging hot hatch is one of the least aggressive on your wallet.

Real MPG average for a Renault Megane Renaultsport (2009 – 2016)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

79%

Real MPG

22–34 mpg

MPGs submitted

44

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

Recourse to a dealer for a car sold with accident damage?

"I purchased a five year old Renault Sport Megane R26R in October 2014 from a well-known Renault Specialist. The car was sold with full service history, new MoT and had 44,000 miles on the clock. Since purchase I have travelled approx 500 miles and the exhaust has started to blow. I took the car to a local garage to investigate and this revealed that quite clearly the car has had a heavy impact underneath. My question is, do I have any recourse to the dealer or is it my fault for not asking the right questions and getting the car professionally inspected prior to purchase?"
You have excellent rights against the dealer for non disclosure of the faults under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 which creates an offence of misleading omissions which would not previously have been an offence if the consumer had not asked the right questions. More here: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/
Answered by Honest John

Buying a fun car - what's best?

"I am currently deciding on what to purchase for my next new car. Ideally I want something exciting which will also prove reliable for the next five years. I'm currently looking at: Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TSI or Golf GTI Honda Civic Type R Skoda Octavia 1.8TSI Renault sport Clio 200 Lexus IS 250 auto BMW 330i or 330d Renault Megane Sport 250 I currently do about 10,000 miles per year, with a mixture of city and motorway miles, about 30 miles a day. "
The quickest, finest handling and most exciting of these is the RenaustSport Megane 250. The slowest and least exciting, but most reliable is the Lexus.
Answered by Honest John

Which sports coupe to replace a Celica?

"My aunt, an advanced motorist in her sixties, is looking to replace her much-loved 42,000 mile, 2005 Toyota Celica 1.8. Her requirements are a front wheel drive coupe with a bit of performance and novel, rakish looks to stand out from the crowd. If the back will occasionally accommodate a bike with the front wheel removed, so much the better. She can spend about £20,000 in addition to the trade-in. Any suggestions?"
I suggest the Volkswagen Corrado, the new Astra GTC or, best of the lot, a Megane RenaultSport 265. Or wait for the new flat-four Toyota GT86.
Answered by Honest John

Gearbox failure after 50,000 miles - should the dealer replace the gearbox?

"I have a 2008 RenaultSport Megane 2.0DCI. It was bought at two years old from a Renault main dealer who has serviced it ever since. I have looked after it well. Last week when in for its 48,000 mile service I was horrified to be told that the gearbox was breaking up and that I needed a new one. Renault Customer Services have offered to pay 75 per cent of the total cost given the car’s good history and that I have previously run other Renaults. Whilst perhaps I should be grateful to Renault, part of me is aggrieved that I am having to find £600 for something that should not expect to fail at this age and mileage."
I think it's very fair of Renault. You've had 48,000 miles out of the transmission, so it’s not reasonable to expect a replacement entirely free of charge. The fault is probably due to the torque output of the engine, although usually this would be absorbed by the dual mass flywheel that is supposed to prevent damage to first and second gears.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Renault Megane Renaultsport (2009 – 2016) cost?