Honda Civic Type R vs Renault Megane RS vs Hyundai i30N - hot hatch Track Battle

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Honda Civic Type R full review: aex.ae/2AclrGY
Renault Megane RS full review:aex.ae/2PUVfWC
Hyundai i30N full review: aex.ae/2RafBzx
In an increasingly competitive field, the Honda Civic Type R, Renault Megane RS and Hyundai i30N are three of the best hot hatches you can buy. However, we decided to put them to the test on a track to find out which one was truly the hot hatch king...
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[@loftysaltmarsh69]

Steve should be a Top Gear presenter. I’d start watching it again.

[@arjuhama]

Steve and Chris Harris. Jesus, that's heaven.

[@damiankimmins3880]

One of the best car reviewers out there!

[@kg_oner9215]

I keep hearing on social media that people don't like the looks of the CTR FK8; however that isn't my real world experience as an owner. I've literally been stopped by people who love the look and ask WHAT KIND OF CAR is that? The CTR is the real deal and lives up to all of the hype.

[@OscarBatucan]

Yes, I have a red one and I get nothing but compliments

[@wantsum777]

Yes I have the sonic grey one same here nothing but loads of interest and compliments,

[@lungulet]

Same here! :)

[@gyo1381]

you lucky dawgs ;)

[@scottcaroline1]

Had my sonic grey fk8 gt 2 weeks now, love it. Had 5 new Honda's back to back over the last 10 years and this is easily my fav

[@djs18]

Love my 2018 type-r....cars a beast.

[@Joe_Friday]

Are you in the US? I've got one in pmm.

[@djs18]

@@Joe_Friday USA

[@Joe_Friday]

@@djs18 Alabama here

[@stefanmarkulik8267]

me too, I love it so much!

[@vallasjo8003]

Mine too..............

[@TassieLorenzo]

Spoiler: Megane RS 47.1sec Hyundai i30N 46.8sec Civic Type R 45.8sec

[@johnss2k434]

If you think that FWD can't be fun, you need to drive the type R! I was skeptical, but after I drove one it exceeded all of my expectations. The car is amazing

[@heamees4822]

I liked the previous gen Megane RS way more, this generation just doesn't seem quite as focused

[@EdgeOfPanic]

I do agree fully to that comment, like the Clio it's less focused and less hardcore, I'm a real Renault fan (have very mint R19 16v Ph2 with 2.0 Turbo conversion) but at this moment when buying a new one, the Megane RS would not be on top of my list. Another disappointment is that you cannot buy a three door version anymore.

[@LorenzoClara97]

Let's wait for the trophy r

[@Iron883Man]

@@LorenzoClara97 drove one for a day (Cup chassis and manual version). It is a huge step back on the Megane III RS. It's not faster and the 4 wheel steering works in the same way a DCT gearbox does, it detaches the driver from the car. In the old Megane YOU did the oversteer, now some mechanical concoction is doing it for you which isn't half as much fun as the real thing. Out of the three I never considered buying the Megane. I did consider the Type R and if you are buying your hot hatch for track days, it's probably the best choice. I bought the i30 N because it's simply more consumer friendly in the way you can set it up fully to your own personal liking, it has a way better infotainment system and it's more mechanical and engaging pretty much anywhere outside the track. The Trophy R version isn't going to change a lot in that respect. It will be a lot more expensive than a Type R and entirely track focused so even less usable on regular roads than a Focus RS.

[@LorenzoClara97]

@@Iron883Man I totally agree with you. The megane rs3 is still unbeaten for the driver experience. Followed by the i30 but for my liking still too little raw and full of tech (but this is also a must for some people)

[@thomasholdsworth2422]

@TheLooke I also own a 275 Trophy and watching these videos makes me want to put my head in my hands. Renaultsport really seem to have lost their way. I would love to see how the 275T would compare in this test. If it wasn't faster than the new Megane I'd be amazed. And I guarantee it's more fun. It might even run the Civic close in terms of fun and involvement, even if it probably can't quite match it's lap time.

[@dailyselfimprovement100]

I have a meg 250 and at one stage I had Bridgestone Potenza S001 tyres fitted before upgrading to Michelin Pilot Sport 4s. The difference between the two sets of tyres is so, so big, I really think that tyre choice for these FWD machines has to be taken into account. I have found that the Renault Mk 3 RS on Potenzas which will limit it's lap time by half a second or more from my experience compared to the Michelin PS4. The fact that Renault have softened down the meg though shows that they're going for the Golf market, which you can't really blame them for they are a business at the end of the day. So annoying for us petrol heads though! Put some proper tyres on the Trophy R please!

[@kalfreak3]

Same for the i30N i had the Pirellis that come from factory for 1 season then swapped over to PS4S and it's night and day :D

[@lanthislombard1847]

The RS Trophy would be a closer competitor to the Type R..

[@Earl_VTEC]

Type R is playing in an other universe :-) lovely Best Hot hatch at this time

[@ZekeMagnum]

i just hate the childish looking rear :/

[@kamalashraf4846]

A hyundai beats a megane..what has the world come to..

[@laurabryant10]

We have owned our Type R for six months now. I am a 54-year old female - it's my daily driver - and I LOVE it! It is unbelievably FUN to drive... FAST!

[@RelaxAndSmokeMeth]

Fast through corners

[@AceEyedAce]

I love that Type R

[@WonderfulGermany]

Because he has 45 ps more than the Hyundai

[@jasonbrody6219]

i likemuch more the i30N over the other 2

[@kennyd7667]

Same here man, it's one of my dream cars

[@ropes64]

Picked up my White FK8 Type R on Christmas Eve and it is just fantastic, it really is. Its like Christmas morning everyday because I suddenly remember its sitting there waiting on my drive.....

[@drsnowmon]

So 1 sec faster for a car that's worth $10,000 more than the i30 N..... hmmm....

[@user-jt6nw6wm5q]

that's about 2% faster. Which is quite something. Also the Honda has better components as Mechanical LSD, a special front axle (similar to ford's Revo Knuckle), No rear beam axle etc.

[@nstylemotorsportsracing1471]

the i 30 n does not have a rear beam.

[@kalfreak3]

@@user-jt6nw6wm5q The i30N has a mechanical LSD aswell but it's electronically controlled...

[@tdmap2241]

@@user-jt6nw6wm5q , so which has a rear beam axle!?

[@TREDxMUSIC]

Really that much? In the UK it only £4000 more

[@JBOsurf]

Renaultsport are a shadow of their former selves.

[@themarenda]

They just had less competition

[@Kavinda-x2t]

Proper test of a hot hatch! Not just a drag race. Cheers!

[@dgbservices6049]

Should have featured the Peugeot 308 GTi as well that would have got even closer to the civic’s time thanks to it’s excessively low weight and excellent chassis...

[@93455Driver]

Type R is pretty awesome, but the looks.....create a touring version (no wing or fakes vents, dual exhaust).

[@AdversaryNemesis1124]

These hatchback's will go down in history as legends. Much respect 🙌!!!

[@AkarZaephyr]

Type R's a beast! If I was in a market for the most capable hot-hatch, I wouldn't think twice. When it comes to daily use, though, I would rather get the i30N, which I'm buying next year or so. The thing is - Type R looks like 15 year old's wet dream and it just doesn't work for me in daily use. I'm not wearing Adidas sport shoes, rapper's hat and "yolo" everyone - it's a matter of image. Whereas i30N is barely distinguishable from regular i30, which is what I like at my age.

[@BroadbandWatchAustralia]

Honda are definitely missing a trick by not selling a Civic Type S version.

[@shushu8811]

Azar so how is your experience so far with your i30N ?

[@TheTallAbacus]

Why doesn't anyone make a focused, yet affordable car like the Civic Type R, but RWD?? This is where a focused and turbo BRZ/GT86 should fit probably.

[@TassieLorenzo]

How about the Nissan 370Z Nismo? That is focused and RWD, and relatively affordable -- it's only a little more expensive than a Civic Type R or Golf R (apart from perhaps in the EU, where it suffers tariffs from being imported from outside of Europe). Once a car has more power, then it needs upgraded driveshafts, brakes, suspension arms etc and (unfortunately) it is inevitably going to weigh 1500kg+ like the 370Z or a BMW M240i.

[@JoeBlo2]

Making the Type R RWD will add weight, complexity and cost. It would negate the advantages it has over its rivals.

[@bruzanhd]

Because it would be too costly. We used to have the schassis from Nissan but it wasn’t cost effective for Nissan to produce.

[@JohanSalvattore]

Because then it wouldn’t be affordable

[@bxcloud104]

Honda needs to make a new S2000.

[@jo05dk]

Our beloved Mr Sutcliffe is usually a very thorough guy, but he missed the elephant in the room this time. When you factor in the looks of the cars, suddenly the Civic Type R is more than eight (8,34 to be precise) seconds slower than the Hyundai. ..and that is horrible at this track.

[@jaylocke9574]

The way it should be. Loved your video, shots of the cars and commentary. Well done. Type R is magic. 🦄🐉🍄🌈

[@wb20_a90]

Feel let down by Renaultsport 💔😔

[@SilverScarletSpider]

Honda Civic Type R is just a great all around package that doesn’t cease to amaze

[@theretrobot8629]

the Veloster N is 100-150 pounds lighter than the i30 N and it has 275 horsepower... I wonder how it would do against the Type R.

[@SpeedyGonzales95]

That isn't sold in the UK unfortunately, you might be able ask an American channel though

[@SergeantMoetz]

Not really surprised that the Type R is fastest by some margin. I'm more surprised that the Megane RS with Cup chassis isn't able to keep up with the i30N though. Currently there is no sense in comparing current hot hatches if the Type R is included in the test, what a car!

[@bbokdoong]

Type R was made to set the best track time possible in front wheel drive cars. On street, some youtube reviewers preferred I30 N over Type R.

[@Kavinda-x2t]

Imagine if the civic had the RS tyres. Would be 0.5 quicker at least

[@greekspirit4818]

Trophy edition for the megane...not the cup.

[@316328597]

yea, that might give you 0.2s quicker

[@paultasker7788]

Honda the best but doesn't sound as nice which is a shame. The i30n has more character. Megane has gone backwards. Renault sport used to be king. Not now.

[@matanmaster]

Honda was king before Renault Sport for long time

[@BroadbandWatchAustralia]

@@matanmaster I think the Renault 5 Turbo came out long before the first Civic with VTEC actually. I guess you could call the '84 Civic with the ZC 1600cc DOHC to be the first sporty Civic. Of course, both Renault and Honda had other sport models long before these hatchbacks.

[@andreasmikoleiczik6120]

That 30 xtra hp the Honda has over the Hyundai to me is the 1 sec difference around the track l.

[@jamesbarnes8338]

For those prices it's the i30n all the way.

[@henkvandermerwe8523]

what about the megane 4 rs Trophy ? it ill beat your type r record any day of the week

[@ZekeMagnum]

how can you tell the difference between trophy and cup? please i need to know when looking at cart listings

[@johnjackson12]

This megane is just dissapointing from the get go. Same power as the old car with more weight and alot less focused. While rivals have taken a step forwards Renault go backwards it seems

[@sgtgrash5280]

One advantage of driving the Type R is that you don't have to look at it, truly a visage only a mother could love.

[@ripptorr]

Has renault gone a bit soft? where's the madness we're used to? where's the 3 liter v6 in the back of a small car? The plexi glass windows and the roll cage of the R26R? The purity of a 182 trophy? They did a great driver's car with the Alpine but kinda fell behind with the megane and the clio..

[@BroadbandWatchAustralia]

Well Renault actually want to sell cars (instead of wall posters and scale models), so they copied the VW Golf GTI recipe for a bit sporty but conservative throughout. Can you blame them? :) (I have a model of a Clio V6! :) )

[@sanjayrevanna8903]

This type r produces 30 bhp more than the Hyundai and more torque, inspite of that it's just a second quicker, I mean I don't understand the logic how the civic is better than the i30 n , which is more fun to drive and if it had a more powerful engine then civic civic would been left for dust

[@SM-sc2zl]

Remember also that the Hyundai weighs more than the Type-R so that's a disadvantage for it as well. I think over a longer track the Type-R would have a significant advantage over the Hyundai. I've driven both as well, the exhaust note on the Hyundai is definitely more satisfying, Type-R was a real let down there.

[@MrSupersixfour]

Luv my i30N.....some beautiful hot hatches out there....in great company 👍

[@deanjoseph123]

With the Mégane's 4Control Steering, even seasoned drivers battle to find cohesion between the front and rear end of the car, so on a short technical track neutralising the understeer is a bugger.

[@giveaway6314]

CTR is such a amazing car. In a way it is good the track is not big otherwise the difference would be even bigger. lol

[@SPARTANDRIVES]

Love my 2020 type r ...I will say it again..I am sure that the engineers of honda didn't realise what car have they evolved...its an amazing car really

[@enricofumi8072]

the civic is really fast, but to me it looks ugly. it's also bigger than the other hatchbacks

[@ikangoyeng7853]

enrico fumi ikr,if it design better I ain't shame to one

[@tommieboi707]

Dimensions are bigger but it weighs less.

[@gregzarkodimos9711]

I'd love to see the warranty matter on the honda and renault, e. g. do they void it when you track the vehicle. I do know the hyundai lets you keep their 5 year warranty, even if you track it.

[@-igg1-912]

Cant wait to see the new Megane Trophy Vs. the Type-R!

[@hishonline]

I guess the trophy would beat both

[@altraigovender5900]

Were is the focus RS an ST they are track beasts

[@ChrisMisMYhandle]

in the garage getting the head gasket changed

[@irfaan7868]

I like Steve as a presenter. He should be on Top gear. That fk8 is mental !

[@DoctorChange106]

good review - numbers are important and the driver's feel (some say CONFIDENCE) is the frosting - Type R wins. Price is the other variable, so negotiate as best you can.

[@isurumw6119]

The type r is better in every single aspect(ride,interior space and quality of materials used) and it also looks a lot better than the other two cars from the front. But they just have to re-design the rear of the car. My fav out of the three. 😎😎😎😎

[@vvvvel]

Where's the megan trophy? that's not fair.

[@caroracle2658]

Love your work, Steve! Agree you should be in Top Gear...

[@LLSicilia]

Too bad the honda goes great but looks horrendous.. Styling team obviouly watched too many transformers movies

[@PyroMotteFullHD]

Type R.... 320 PS.... I LOVE IT !!!

[@gregoryboatswain1605]

Surely there was no value in including the Civic because it's basically at the next price point? Would have made more sense to replace it with a GTI performance or something.

[@JCW-jx6ld]

I think EDC box Megane would be quicker

[@davidsanderson2960]

Absolutely

[@Haiman9]

Where are the German's hot hatches?

[@andyossie]

I'm surprised that Renault haven't stepped up their game with the the new RS Megane. They seem to have taken a while to bring this model out they should have seen what they were going up against being that the other 2 were out well before the Megane. It IS a lot cheaper than the Civic but it would have been nice see Renault put the wind up Honda by making the Megane more competitive for less money. 🙂

[@cater4anytink45]

Must be a big driver cause on tiffs channel the i30N did a 47.7 on same track(might be climate,temp).But that civic is a marmite beast

[@johnlee2540]

Probably last pure combustion type R... still running smooth till 2040 , 2050

[@lacapone7159]

Glad i got the Megane 3RS

[@DenG611]

i30N for the win

[@davemeese6788]

I would just buy a rs 275 trophy tbh

[@emmadeeba2038]

That Type r 💓

[@tracktimevideos5164]

I did the Hyundai Nth degree experience day. It was a good car but nowhere as good as many journalists seem to make out in my opinion. I by far prefer the Focus RS over any of these although it is now out of production.

[@JCW-jx6ld]

Yeah but you save £4000 on interest as Megane is interest free at mo .So wins by miles in bang for buck .

[@petercavellini3232]

Tenths?!, that’s all it is, not vastly different are they?, and, when it comes down to it, it’s only as quick as the Driver can drive, so there’s always going to be differences......

[@michaelmassart2349]

The Civic Type R is the undesputed king of hot hatches, and I don't see this change anytime soon. Worth every penny ... AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT! 👍from the delighted owner of FK8 # 08217

[@clocktower7]

If you are a Hot Hatch fan why would you even consider a Renault - About as reliable as a flat tyre (French Scrap) or a Hyundai (Korean Scrap) or anything else. Honda has the Power, the racing heritage, the looks and the most enviable reliability rating of any other Car manufacturer in the world.

[@hartmutthomas989]

Ich kriege immer eine Gänsehaut wenn dieser Type R getestet wird . Weil ich fahre den auch selber und frage mich manchmal wo diese sagenhafte Begeisterung der Tester herrührt . werden die alle super bezahlt oder so ähnlich ? Ich fürchte nein . Dieses Auto ist wirklich auf jeder kurvigen Landstraße und Autobahn völlig genial .

[@ashneel]

Too bad its hideous..I'd still have the Megane

[@robinmarples5198]

The 308 gti is quicker around a track than the i30n so it is faster than the megane 🙊

[@popsandbangs8858]

Robin Marples it’s not lol . This track is longer

[@henrikkoukku2896]

All car is 2019 model?. 🤔

[@thierrydogniaux1252]

love my 2018 i30n ; )

[@paullalouette2300]

To be fair... with these really powefulr FWD hatches, take them off a track and wait for a bit of rain and even the mighty type R is total right off.. my 270hp wrx will run rings around it and let's be honest most daily drives on not so great roads in not so great weather make most of these "hot" hatches really rather impotent...

[@nkululekoduma2281]

🤔Maybe an i30 with a bit more zoom to match that of the type R and we have a new track King for even cheaper Oops spoiler 🤐😌

[@g00dfeeling]

That Renault is so cool and beautiful! Just love it!

[@tombrown6428]

Can you guys do a stock old supra vs the new supra?

[@lgi_1316]

I think that megane is one of the first in the hands of the press that has loss power in the higher rpm... (look topnl autobahn) should try with a recently one

[@txmoney]

The Type R is turning into a legend.

[@Strikeitbigtime]

The civic makes everything look bland , an absolute Weapon! great vid once again from Stevie Sutcliffe,best reviewer out there.

[@SupurrrCat]

Midlife crisis car for 40+ year olds imo

[@1982daverogers]

The Honda has year on year been a better put together, more refined and focused car than the Renault. The only one that came close was the RS Cup with TRACK tires.....

[@kingcrumpet]

I'll be damned if I don't have a Type R sometime at least.

[@goranjakopanec2289]

Where the Civic is two steps forward from last gen, Megane is maybe one backwards. Well done Honda

[@kienfung3045]

Civic Type R

[@NinoNlkkl]

1 sec slower but I'll take the i30N for THOUSANDS less.

[@donRageme]

Still thinks it's mad to see a HYUNDAI going up against the hot hatch kings

[@adamrawlings6789]

But at the end of the day, you buy a car for how you feel about it inside & out

[@loycjoe9491]

For one sec less? Give me the I30N anytime.

[@marcusskyfall]

It's just a shame that the Honda looks embarrassing if you're over 30 years of age and you're behind the wheel of it... awesome mode of transport though.

[@richards4456]

I've driven the new type r. It really is something else.

[@sundeepubhi]

As fast as the CTR is, I just can't get behind how ridiculous it looks. Hi30N all the way.

[@justinkumbe1387]

Can Renault release the trophy and we will see which car will win, I don’t think you are confident behind the wheel of the Renault

4ws is very difficult to drive well. The feeling you get while driving is different. You can see from miles away driver looked lost there. You have to learn it for lots of miles to use it effectively.

[@alliejr]

But is anyone buying a hot hatch as a track day car? Only times I’ve ever driven on a track were in dedicated track cars not owned by me.

[@duffydon1741]

I'm not sure what happens in other board rooms, how do you sign off the Honda???? It is a properly ugly car, the only significant thing about it is that gem of an engine, i would prefer to have the previous gen type R and fit this engine. And the the megane, this generation megane does not seem like it was built by the guys that built the previous gen magane. That i30 makes a lot of sense if you ask me, given the price of the Golf R, that i30 is a proper all rounder, dont forget that its just their first test into the hot hatch market and boy have they found a market, with albert as chief engineer there, becareful, be very worried about what is to follow in the future from the Koreans..

[@fikes73]

Dumsani simelane it has the same motor of the last gen. Multilink rear, wider track, amazing new front suspension. It is better in every single way. Now if looks are your thing, look elsewhere. This thing is built to destroy tracks and cars costing much more. It is the new Godzilla

[@TassieLorenzo]

The Honda's styling is a logical development of the styling of the 2010 Mugen Civic Type R and 2015 Civic Type R. It makes perfect sense if you understand the history of the current styling.

[@raph151515]

renault took a dive, why did they waste this tremendous traction they had after the m3rs?

[@paulditrap2858]

1 sec only with an extra 40hp, lol yeah it’s better than the i30n, not 😂

[@ZekeMagnum]

how can you quickly tell it has a cup chassi? the red brembos? im gonna look for a megane and i need to make sure i get the right spec!

[@nixodian]

Nice to see typeR against German rivals :)