Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR vs Renault Megane RS Trophy | evo DEADLY RIVALS

The new Renault Sport Megane RS Trophy might have the edge over its German counterpart on paper, but the Volkswagen Golf GTI is never one to be underestimated, especially in its potent TCR trim. We've already compared them on the road, but which is faster around Anglesey? Steve Sutcliffe finds out...
Read our on-road comparison between these two deadly rivals at: www.evo.co.uk/group-tests/225...
And watch our video review of the even more hardcore Renault Megane Trophy-R at:
• Renault Megane RS Trop...
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[@vHiddenAce]

Anybody else think the camera work and editing were top notch?

[@recursion.]

anybody else think this comment is so boring?

[@g00dfeeling]

That Renault is so beautiful. They designed a masterpiece.

[@ferfire9]

Needed a 2 door versin and a better steering wheel to be a masterpiece. Surely the engine could remain the 2 liter aswell though.

[@MrSpeedy99]

@@ferfire9 Don't need a 2.0 when the 1.8 has more power and torque than the Golf already :D

[@ferfire9]

@@MrSpeedy99 No it hasnt and surely has not nearly as much potential or the same response etc etc

[@milo6507]

@@ferfire9 the Renault was faster or no?

[@jorgesp4911]

@@milo6507 golf 1:22 rs 1:20

[@IamCredit]

Man the blow off sound on the TCR is awesome.

[@alpex92]

Does it come as standard?

[@Jagrupra]

@@alpex92 no they’ve put a mic near the intake for the video, standard it’s completely quiet

[@captainkuru1]

Fake sounds in the trash vw emit by audio system.

[@augustortiz]

Steve back in EVO is the best news I have seen on KZbin in months.

[@jryalls]

Augusto O.R He’s freelance, he works for everyone.

[@TheStressD]

Couldn't agree more, I think he's one of the best car journalist out there.

[@augustortiz]

Insert Witty Name hey, im not complaining hahah. As long as he does Evo stories im happy

[@augustortiz]

TheStressD easily!! makes videos so involving. A true master of reviews

[@f00lxpl]

One lucky bird at 6:20 tho

[@azagedon]

Failed to mention the Megane was less than a SECOND slower than an Audi r8 v8, wow!!!!

[@hunters7565]

The Megane looks so much better than the Golf. Outside and inside.

[@Wargwarn]

Errr no

[@robinmarples5198]

And the 308 gti feels better than both.

[@tiagocabral8407]

Mata-te

[@paulobumaye6425]

Every time he lets off the gas in the Golf, the engine says, "tcr!"

[@vincyws]

Are those sound from the blow-off valve?

[@dacmm]

@@vincyws Yes

[@kingkoeppy]

I cant hear that Sound on my TCR

[@milinddixit6583]

@@kingkoeppy I drove my R on a twisty road with walls on either side and all I could hear with the window down was the turbo whistle and hiss. You'll definitely hear it on the right road and surroundings.

[@Fly2kill1]

Diverter valve not blow off

[@mistreku]

omg, that bird flying in slow motion past the car, that was some epic footage!

[@UTubeSL]

Steve - you really are in the top echelon of reviewers. Love watching your videos!

[@xdaeq2]

Not bothered about which is the fastest, I care more about which one puts a smile on my face`

[@Samenotter]

definetly the trophy

[@drazenbudis7881]

On that ground the VW just loses even more

[@eval7952]

R32 mk4 used to put smile on my face. Many times I would get to my destination and would keep driving.

[@richie6921]

Love that in car view and the noise. Glorious, what a great video

[@thewing331]

I love this guys reviews,you can always tell just how much he enjoys the drive. He's wonderful at the performance break down of each vehicle. Great to see you back man.

[@MultipleMadness1]

Engine bay noises is a great touch. First time hearing that on a car channel

[@milinddixit6583]

Same here. It sounds great, wish more car channels did this for track or fast drives.

[@samholland5613]

Great edit on these review guys, camera angles, turbo whistles 🤤🤤🤤

[@carhomie7739]

Very good "in-car" timed lap footage, and sound. Exciting!

[@eraser3d]

Renault Sport

[@TheAMalik89]

Is the mic under the bonnet in the Golf? Surely that wastegate noise isn't being pumped through the speakers

[@jryalls]

TheAMalik89 It’s under the bonnet.

[@robertjusic9097]

The sound is probably coming from one of the mic's attached to the outside of the car

[@RobHardyUK]

TheAMalik89 why ask the question if you know the answer already. Aside from the fact it’s obvious

[@FireTwo]

Sounded like it was inside the airbox 😂😂

[@Mmoukarii]

The camera (and mic) was on the front bumper.

[@julianra8059]

Damnnn they got the best noises out of the cars... i wish they do it always

[@tracktimevideos5164]

This is the best evo vid I have seen for a long time, much better than the usual tripe.

[@user-qi8ib3gh5q]

Great video! Sound from the engine bay during flying lap is interesting, but I prefer cabin sound. Both cars have special installed induction noise amplifiers/ Inside Megan noise is brutal!

[@MajorAMinor]

You can't compare with the Seat Cupra due to the tyres. At least put on the better and optional S007 Bridgstone tyres on the Trophy. The S001 aren't really good track tyres. I don't get how the S007 aren't fitted as standard on the trophy. They seem to be great, but you can drive them pretty much like normal in the rain. And they were made specifically for the trophy and trophy-r. Seems strange to me. The S007 should be at least 1 - 1.5 seconds quicker on a track like this.

[@dailyselfimprovement100]

MajorAMinor it’s annoying. It seems Renault have some agreement with Bridgestone..? Pilot sports for the win I reckon!

[@FXCartel]

The noise out that golf is unreal. Every time,e it boosts the subtitles say applause

[@xIcarus227]

The turbo and wastegate sure sounds sexy as hell but the rest of the engine really doesn't sound so good. That 2.0 is a good engine but the sound it makes isn't one of its strong points.

[@DavidFernandez-sc5ws]

The sound doing the laps. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Love hearing those turbos

[@markahomer]

One of the best car reviewers out there. No nonsense. Interesting. Tells it as it is. Up there with Harris and Catchpole.

[@FatalityDiablo]

I love the fact Renault was like, yeah let this thing oversteer like a proper rally hatchback supposed to do. German manufacturers would never dare. Same thing with the i30N, Hyundai gets it right too.

[@Max-dj5qj]

Ford also 👍

[@ChrisplayThrough64]

I sense German hate

[@DreamWorkDrive]

Another epic video! Thanks evo and Steve

[@Kingdonnerkebab]

Great to see Steve back 👍

[@benamarayoucef9402]

Welcome back Steve 😘 Yeah the trophy is faster but the trophy R hhh I can’t believe what a hot hatch with 300 hp can do in track 👏👏

[@mariodanielmonterrubiomonc7206]

Great video amazing for track, Megane RS is the GTI eater, I would love to see it in Mexico, far better than other hot hatches sold in Mexico.

[@carscoffeeandcannabis-634]

TThat shot with the bird at 6:15, stunning! Ballsy bird, it could have gone from beautiful to tragic real quick. Great content as always. I would take the Renault ANY day. Better looking, comes in a manual, sounds better (though I do like the Tuner sounds of the TCR), faster. Too bad they aren't available where I live

[@robinmarples5198]

This Léon cupra is a bargain on second hand market as the megane 3 rs trophy 275

[@goranjakopanec2289]

Great video Steve but please come back with CTR FK8🙂, that would be match for it

[@Streky]

The megane is my dreamcar, and maybe next year i will be able to buy a new trophy. I hope so! Amazing video, thank you!

[@fwf246]

evo still makes quality videos which is great

[@bilaltariq7819]

I'm very confused, the lap board you showed had the 275 much faster than the 300?

[@BGK187x]

6:17 bird is the mvp there haha

[@mewsman44]

Best looking hot hatch by far, especially in liquid yellow

[@henkstols9326]

The Megane Trophy R will be the champ but the price is just ridiculous. Not surprised by the RS victory here as renault just make a better hot hatch.

[@cosmins3268]

Imagine if Renault makes the mk5 rs with AWD and a more buff engine , something like 2.0 with 350 BHP .

[@henkstols9326]

@@cosmins3268 I reckon it will have the Ford RS and Golf R number.

[@gorangrbusic1278]

If he used Trophy with EDC that would be to much for Golf fans 🤣 probably 1 sec more with EDC+420nm, this 6 speed manual in the video was 400nm.

[@mr.h3603]

Curious to know how the tyre shop will align the wheels on the Megane. Seems like an expensive exercise.

[@andypazin]

Awesome video

[@AssKickerHU]

Toller Videoschnitt sehr gut gemacht das Video und Respekt an Renault👌🏻

[@Ins4n3Syndicate]

When will they do a time with the Clubsport S

[@user-hj2se6qr6f]

Could you do a TCR vs Clubsport comparison

[@robreeves9825]

We all love a bit of Sutcliffe, don't we?

[@ronshowsyou2]

Still wondering - the Civic time is still impressive by not using Cup2s or automatic transmission...

[@vitaobatera]

What's the TT RS time ?? Last year and new

[@eskimo427]

what's a daycal?

[@marklivos]

Steve I missed your reviews

[@koston777]

@ 6:15 is that the bird that shot aerial footage in the beginning?

[@johnjackson12]

Woah hang on a minute. The TCR is slower than a ordinary golf r and the megane 300 is slower than the megane 275.... got to love progress!

[@Samenotter]

hahaha yes i was confused when i saw that ... wtf happened there?! And why shold i buy a new megane when the older one does it better

[@BJJPaulos74]

Tbf The Golf has more BHP and is AWD, the TCR is meant to be a track car and looks the part but so much depends on the driver and the track but imo it's no surprise it being a bit slower than the R. I've got a mate who got rid of his GTI PP that's similar to this for a golf R, because he just couldn't put the power down properly setting off, it was really hit and miss and a nightmare in the wet or damp. Saying that I wonder how the Golf GTI Clubsport S would have done around this track compared to the R having more power. Also the Megane 300 has been sent around other tracks faster than the old 275, saying that it was a great car the old trophy 275 and again just one run to decide which car is fastest around the track, doesn't really prove that much especially when the times are very close.. I look forward, because i can't find it to see how the new Megane R.S. Trophy-R goes around the track, that thing is 18 seconds quicker around Nuburgring than the Leon Sub 8. Also the Honda Civic was 14 seconds quicker but it's slower around this tack, just shows you track testing isn't really the best way to judge a car.

[@michaelteret4763]

More Steve!

[@JoeAchilles1]

Videos are always good with Steve 👌 Totally agree re the TCR DSG box, why can't they calibrate it to stay in gear when in manual mode, it has a bloody rev limiter to prevent engine damage! The track prepped cars we had were on Cup 2's and had incredible front ends for a fairly heavy car 👌 Good to see Renault back at what they do best, that's a lot of hot hatch for less than £32k, I need to get my hands on one. Impressive laptime, but only equal to a 6 year old M135i...

[@garethh81]

Joe Achilles after comparing these back to back with the type r the golfs are super rare with the cup 2s as they only come on the Pretoria wheels. A couple a round I’ve seen advertised most come with the cheaper wheels on this one with p zeros.

[@robinmarples5198]

Take the leon cupra 5f. Exists in manual for less money.

[@chrismccombe6961]

Why are they not using the edc gearbox in the megane rs

[@user-dn3yk2qu7f]

great vid, love this guy! Look at the weight of these things, same lap time as an M135i and similar price.....Megane has lost the plot

[@AllAhabNoMoby]

That wastegate sounds pretty awesome.

[@outlandrive5515]

There's only hot-hatchback in industry. That is Megane RS!

[@Che1seabluesdrogba11]

KZbin captions are getting better

[@wyndts4]

I hear a melody slightly the same with a soundtrack Hollywood wide screen film years ago

[@garethbatster6205]

What’s with the awful music played over the part when he’s in the Golf? Sounds like a fire alarm

[@nickhan106]

I totally agree... Good to know i am not the only one annoyed..!!

[@DMDxXVeGaZz]

Maybe try the EDC of the megane trophy..

[@williamk1800]

Steve is back in time for ECOTY in a few months??

[@Chichilcitlalli]

what's the song at 2:00

[@swansmeister]

You can tune the dsg and let it hold at higher rpm's or just program the redline higher or both.

[@sanderkeurhorst4156]

So?

[@angeloagostinhoofficial]

That golf sound 😍😍😍😍

[@mewsman44]

rs trophy is a beast and not to be underestimated

[@LARGE_COKE]

Watching this while my R.S 300 awaits a new manual gearbox as that "tricky" diff, blew the F up.

[@thegoodguysteve]

Isnt the leon cupra just a gti with the golf r engine?

[@Fly2kill1]

Stephen Wood the TCR has the R engine. I think all the VAG hatches use the same EA888 but turbos and guts differ. And tuning

[@A1e3m]

holy wastegate noises!

[@mbardos]

Indeed, nice touch placing a mic in the engine bay!

[@mkygod]

@Andreas Brekke ah ok. No wonder. I thought they had replaced the diverter valve with a wastegate. I know my GTI sounds nothing like that from the cabin.

[@bingoberra18]

@@mkygod The wastegate is a "diverter valve" on the turbo for diverting exhaust gases to control boost pressure.

[@mkygod]

@@bingoberra18 my understanding is that a wastegate just releases excess air pressure from the turbo out into the open and that a diverter valve recycles the air.

[@johnozmen2147]

So from the cabin you don’t hear those fantastic noises. Shame. Perhaps a tune and new air intake will fix that

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

Since the Trophy R came out, it seems that is the one now being referenced as ‘the Trophy’ while in fact there already was a ‘Trophy’. Goes to show how lost it is in the lineup. Doesn’t help that reviewers advise to buy the standard RS with the Cup pack (so the ‘RS Cup’) instead of the Trophy, which is not quite hardcore enough on the track yet less comfortable on the road.

[@ikarugaxx3749]

You check how cheery Mr. Steve is at the wheel of the various cars, and know how they rate for sportiness and handling. He was so happy in the Hyundai i30N video 😁.

[@marc9080]

Ouais la voiture élue la plus pourrie en Corée du Sud? rien ne vaut une voiture Européenne!!! THE BEST and THE BEAST!!

[@CarWatcherChannel]

I still prefer the megane 3 rs 😅

[@drazenbudis7881]

Car Watcher The one to have, miss mine

[@suthanmohanasundaram6881]

it's quicker too

[@MiraSubieGirl]

I have a 2012 one :) best car ive ever owned.

[@drazenbudis7881]

Nåti M I have a 15’ Trophy, and I still preffer my r19 16v as a drivers car But Megane is by far the best modern hatch I’ve driven

[@MiraSubieGirl]

@@drazenbudis7881 R19? I am Russian sorry.

[@OhBLZD]

All well and good, but 99% of people will not track these cars..

[@sparkplug964]

If I'm honest all VW feel like a blunt instrument on the track, good road cars! If you can get over the looks, the Type R has to be one of the best Trackday toys out there at the moment.

[@duboseq1]

Near bird impact at the 6:12 mark🤣

[@sallyt6216]

Steve, did you really need sat nav on in the golf to find where you were going? :-0

[@playerzoma]

steve, we missed you!!!!!!

[@jean-yvesderick6085]

Renault Mégane RS Trophy the best ! 🇫🇷 💪 👏

[@jakubkonieczny9664]

and is a beast:)

[@mtn9752]

And its not valuable and durable

[@nosutv2893]

@@mtn9752 why ??

[@louielambretta389]

how did the tcr loose against the heavier R model?

[@WeirdBrick]

Did you see the understeer? I hope it had new front tyres on...

[@pokest225]

Because it's based on the gti performance. Not a track oriented chassis at all.

[@xIcarus227]

@@pokest225 you're saying that like either of these cars are really track oriented. MQB is meant to be cheap, light and modular, it simply doesn't have the necessary qualities to make a good performance platform. If you look at all the MQB-based hot hatches they all lack in the track performance department.

[@pokest225]

@@xIcarus227 leon cupra was a nur record. Golf clubsport s was a nur record. Sorry, you're wrong.

[@clownworld-honk410]

The same rubber on the Renault as the Seat and I imagine there wouldn't be much in it, which was mentioned as a difference between these cars at 5 minutes in then ignored in the summary. Unless all the cars are on the same spec tyres, comparing lap times is inaccurate.

[@WeirdBrick]

Yeah but the rs trophy will have its go! Put decent tyres on the civic and I’m pretty sure it beats them all with at least half a sec in hand.

[@ThaDutchDK1989]

O no there we go agian.. the Ferrari laferrari McLaren p1 and Porsche 919 2 dont have the same tyres?, but we still compare them. Stop complaining about tyres sore fanboys. All cars are stock so stock vs stock. And if we talk about the Civic record, the Civic didnt have a passenger Seat and a rollcage, the production car didnt had those things so the record is inrelevant.

[@boltmix7294]

@@WeirdBrick Don't kid yourself mate, the Civiv would lose hard

[@stevenbailey-fb8pw]

If I had the money it would be the Renault all day long personal preference. Great video

[@barrymccloskey]

like the bird. neat touch. :-)

[@ripptorr]

never heard the blow off valves on these cars in other videos?

[@BroadbandWatchAustralia]

They are using a microphone in the engine bay.

[@tan9640]

That TCR sounds totally nuts

[@wolvoman1]

This very car (KY19MJK) is now up for sale in Birmingham

[@ajames718]

Anyone else notice the Megane RS 275 Trophy does almost a second quicker lap time LOL

[@cosmins3268]

You know that's a stript down car , with a roll cage and Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires , no ac , and no stereo right ?

[@ajames718]

@@cosmins3268 That's the Trophy-R you're mentioning, not the Trophy. Their leaderboard just says 275 Trophy.

[@DILINGER0]

Fantastic job from Renault with this RS generation 2 seconds is a lot. Maybe the base RS with CUP package, can be faster than Golf too. VW since years is only for those who wants a badge and a logo, there are many nice hot hatchs in the market for not to buy a Golf GTi.

[@ikarugaxx3749]

It's not just the badge and the logo, you also get the right to post comments on the Internet where you say you're a real, mature man, while who didn't waste his money the way you did is just a boy. Lol.

[@derbigpr500]

You're one of those imbeciles who has no clue about cars and cant wait to talk shit about a car you never even saw in person, let alone have any experience with. It's the ultimate proof of stupidity, acting like that. Golf only about a badge? It's still the most complete hot hatch on the market, no other is as well made, as refined, as comfortable, as well polished in details,etc. at the same time for anywhere near the price. It's not all about track times, in fact, it's not at all. Nobody cares about them.

[@Zebpro]

@@derbigpr500 Yeah, but only VW puts a sun roof in a track focused hot hatch, and those farty DSG, but hey, that's for show and people buying it are only searching for this.

[@tracktimevideos5164]

The Golf is the blandest choice of any hot hatch. It just screams boring and zero imagination. The car for the sheeple.

[@dont5363]

@@tracktimevideos5164 reason why its the most popular hot hatch of all time hahaa keep hating bro

[@amitprulovify]

Drag race is also necessary....

[@tracktimevideos5164]

Whichever one has the automatic gearbox would win. Thats no fun.

[@carlosmakgato8404]

Background music when talking about the golf😂why guys

[@BronchoGillespie]

New coat Steve?

[@arnodorian5527]

I want see the megane tcr vs golf tcr i think the megane is a beast

[@xclusvIT]

So, the megane 3 trophy 275 is faster than the 280. Wait the trophy R.

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

Xclus!v IT 280? This is the 300 already! Makes it even more interesting.

[@xclusvIT]

Lighter is better

[@supersalmon2279]

I was quite lucky, I own a Meg RS 300 and got a Golf TCR as a loaner car after I was rear-ended. But after having the golf for a while, I prefer the meg

[@mikams99]

Try the leon cupra 300

[@digisuboob]

the dct gearboxs would be quicker wouldnt they?

[@matthaeustsopels2245]

The Megane RS is stunning

[@shaunsimpson3499]

Honda fk2 hammered both so what would the Fk8 do.

[@spazpsg1]

absolute class the megane

[@PredatorDK]

I wonder what the Clubsport would have done - and why VW has decided to replace it with the more dull TCR...

[@clicheguevara9917]

the clubsport, especially the s, was sold at a considerable loss from what i heard. halo effect is probably still there After discontinuing though, so i reckon the clubsport was a pretty good idea!

[@carsaregood911]

What? Apart from the S, the TCR is better than the CS since it got rid of that stupid overboost thing

[@pokest225]

@@carsaregood911 only in straight line. In the corners, the clubsport has a much better setup. Remap a clubsport, and forget the tcr.

[@carsaregood911]

@@pokest225 Did not know that, cheers.