Ford Focus RS v Civic Type-R v Hyundai i30 N v Peugeot 308 GTi v Megane RS 2018 Road Comparison

The hot hatch market in Australia is truly volatile. After a little over two years in this market the Peugeot 308 GTi 270 is now more affordable, but in contrast, the highly-regarded Ford Focus RS is more expensive, in a new limited-edition form. The Honda Civic Type R still feels fresh after less than 12 months in the market, but is already facing new rivals from 2018: the Hyundai i30 N and the just launched Renault Megane RS 280.

In any other range the Ford Focus RS would be a flagship model, but it's in a supporting role to the iconic Ford Mustang. The Honda Civic Type R is very much a standard bearer measured against the rest of Honda's somewhat staid line-up. While the Hyundai i30 N is by no means Hyundai's first attempt at building a performance hatch, its thoroughly competent execution has set tongues wagging.

Drawing on its rally heritage, the Peugeot 308 GTi 270 is the model that best represents all that's good – and traditional – from the French brand. Much the same could be said for the Renault Megane RS 280 Cup, although Renault's motor sport heritage is based in racing more than rallying.

Each of these cars tested has brought along something different or unusual, and in each case it's enough to make buyers salivate in anticipation. The Peugeot 308 GTi 270 shocked reviewers for the way it punched above its weight back in 2016. Every subsequent hot hatch released has delighted Aussie punters, whether it has been the dynamic Ford Focus RS, the uncompromising Honda Civic Type R or the affordably brilliant Hyundai i30 N.

And now these cars face the menacing presence of the shiny new Renault Megane RS 280, a vehicle that encapsulates all the very best elements of previous RenaultSport Meganes, while improving on the few weaknesses. This is a car with a lot more technology, more performance, better daily-driving ride comfort and a much sharper gearshift action. It needs to be assessed in context.

So we took all five vehicles out east of Melbourne to run them on the Gippsland Car Club's race track at Haunted Hills, followed by an extensive drive program on demanding country roads the next day – providing an opportunity to evaluate these hot hatches for track performance and on-road practicality.

You know what? For sheer effrontery at an affordable price, few cars can match hot hatches. These tear-away little tackers will put a smile on your face every time – and it doesn't matter which car. They're all fun with a capital F. Part of the attraction is that anyone can buy a hot hatch – you don't need to be a gazillionaire. Nor do you need a big garage to house a different car for each individual purpose. The hot hatch can cart the kids to school, it can bring home the shopping, handle the daily commute and at weekends, drive like the devil's own long irons.

While traditional buyers for hot hatches may have once been 'chavs', to use the British term, these days they're a car for young mums, semi-retired accountants, dog walkers, small families and indeed, practically anyone else. About the only drivers who shouldn't and won't be driving hot hatches are those who are most likely to find them desirable – P-platers based in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

And there's a reason for that. These cars are devastatingly fast. They are fun, but best reserved for drivers who know their limitations.

The cheapest car for this test was the Hyundai i30 N, which is priced at $39,990 in standard form, but as-tested came in at $42,990. That's down to the optional Luxury Pack, costing another $3000. The Luxury Pack is well worth the money, although items such as rain-sensing wipers and keyless entry/start should be standard, it might be argued. Still, the i30 N is a lot of car for the money.

With metallic paint and the optional Cup chassis, the Renault Megane RS 280 is the next most affordable. It's priced from $44,990 ($47,360 as tested) and like the i30 N, it's packing some good gear at that price. The Peugeot 308 GTi 270 is in the same ballpark as the Renault for pricing, at $45,990.

At $50,990, the Honda Civic Type R – a car that has been previously criticised as expensive – is still cheaper than the Ford Focus RS, the Limited Edition model that's priced at $56,990. It's debatable whether the extra sum asked by Ford over the not-as-limited Focus RS is money well spent. For some hard-core hot-hatch enthusiasts, the Quaife differential and the sticky Michelin tyres alone are worth that amount, but we're guessing few owners will need those extra tenths of seconds around a track.

The Ford Focus RS offers excellent grip and handling, thanks in part to its final drive system – making the Focus the only all-paw vehicle in this group. Power oversteer can be induced with a tap of the accelerator. The steering is communicative and the large-displacement engine is very flexible.

The Honda Civic Type R produces its power higher in the rev range and all the fury is accompanied by a raw soundtrack that recalls MotoGP bikes. A precise gear shift, great seats and multiple drive modes all add up to a very 'technical' hot hatch that's also the roomiest inside.

The Hyundai i30 N is very 'European' in character. It's easy to drive and feels safer than some of the cars at the limits of adhesion, and ride comfort was tip-top. As the only car with a spare tyre (albeit a space-saver), it bounded ahead of the pack for day-to-day practicality. But don't be put off by those mundane virtues, this is still a car that will keep up with the others.

The limited-slip differential of the Peugeot 308 GTi 270 really works. Hooking into a corner the Pug turns in promptly. Powered by the smallest engine of the five, the Peugeot was also easily the lightest... by up to over 200kg less than the next lightest car, the Megane. With the best power-to-weight ratio, the Peugeot was also the most economical.

The Renault Megane RS 280 Cup scores points for styling, snug seats, slick gear shift, sporty power delivery, flat handling, reasonable ride comfort and direct steering response. All five cars tested muster heroic levels of handling and straight-line performance.

A constant bugbear with the Focus RS is that car's high-mounted seat and relatively low roofline. It's an awkward entry point, forcing shorter people to climb up over the seat bolster and taller types to duck the head. And if you're blessed with short legs and a long torso, you get to enjoy both!

The Civic Type R, finished in red for this test scrubbed up better than in black, but the Honda's other-worldly styling is still a contentious design.

It's quite the reverse for the i30 N, which is too stealthy, but the Hyundai also took a hit from a couple of judges for its hard plastics and cheaper interior fixtures.

For cars that should be practical as well as fun to drive, the 308 GTi 270 suffered in comparison with others due to its marginal rear-seat accommodation. A couple of judges didn't much like the 'i-Cockpit' dash and steering column layout, with one judge also criticising the light weight of the steering.

The Megane RS 280 Cup provides a very strong starting point for a hot hatch, but one judge found the driver's seat to be ridiculously firm in the cushion and the bolstering was too aggressive for comfort over touring distances. Another judge expressed some disdain for the infotainment touchscreen, and a third felt the Renault's dynamic traits were tailored more for expert drivers.

This was one of the toughest decisions we've had to make for a long time. There is not a dog among these five cars. Unfortunately, the Peugeot 308 GTi 270 was the first to drop by the wayside – mainly for lack of rear-seat space and quirky ergonomics.

That left us with four cars. The judges divided into two camps at this point. Left-brain thinkers pointed to the value of the Hyundai i30 N and the Renault Megane RS 280 Cup, but the alpha drivers nominated the Honda Civic Type R for an outright win and Ford Focus RS Limited Edition as runner-up.

After yet more discussion, the final decision (or negotiated settlement, if you prefer) gave the win to the Hyundai. But this was a very narrow winning margin for the i30 N. It's not as brash as the Civic Type R or the Megane RS 280 Cup, it lacks the all-round dynamic competence of the Focus RS Limited Edition and it isn't as innovative as the 308 GTi 270. What it does offer is something that's a little of everything, and it is the car that comes closest to being that hot-hatch archetype.

Footnote: Volkswagen was invited to supply vehicles for this comparison, but declined the offer.

2018 Ford Focus RS Limited Edition pricing and specifications:
Price: $56,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 257kW/440Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 8.1L/100km (ADR Combined), 14.6L/100km (average, on-road)
CO2: 190g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: N/A
Lap time at Bryant Park: 1:01.770

2018 Honda Civic Type R pricing and specifications:
Price: $50,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 228kW/400Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 8.8L/100km (ADR Combined), 12.7L/100km (average, on-road)
CO2: 200g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: N/A
Lap time at Bryant Park: 1:02.579

2018 Hyundai i30 N Luxury Pack pricing and specifications:
Price: $42,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 202kW/353Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 8.0L/100km (ADR Combined), 13.4L/100km (average, on-road)
CO2: 186g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP
Lap time at Bryant Park: 1:04.623

2018 Peugeot 308 GTi pricing and specifications:
Price: $45,990 plus on-road costs, $46,980 as tested, plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 200kW/330Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined), 9.4L/100km (average, on-road)
CO2: 139g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: N/A
Lap time at Bryant Park: 1:03.886

2018 Renault Megane RS 280 Cup pricing and specifications:
Price: $44,990 plus on-road costs, $47,360 as tested, plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 205kW/390Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined), 16.3L/100km (average, on-road)
CO2: 168g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: N/A
Lap time at Bryant Park: 1:02.896

At first I was unsure about the Renault Megane RS 280 Cup. It's not as raw as its predecessor, but the more I drove it the more I loved it. Best steering feedback of the lot, huge power, great brakes and I LOVE THE LOOK! It's not too full-on, like the Honda, but not completely demure like the i30 N or Pug. Heaps of interior room, lots of features. Torque steer – but I like that, adds character.

I actually loved the steering of the Peugeot 308 GTi 270. It was light, but the small wheel and high steering ratio was lovely. Bit peaky in the engine department, but I like that; Alcon brakes are class-leading.

The Hyundai i30 N was the ultimate all-rounder. More drivers could go faster in this than most others, and feel comfortable doing it. Loads of features, great price, best ride comfort, only one with a spare wheel.

The Ford Focus RS is one of the craziest hot hatches ever made. Mad fun on the track, pretty classy on wet roads too. Just a bit exxy. Almost $60K on the road for this one!

Believe the hype. I absolutely loved the Hyundai i30 N, from its stealthy looks (understated yet bold) to the N-is-for-naughty button. I reckon it is the most flexible vehicle of all the cars on test, and as we are very much in the market for a hot hatch right now, for us, the Hyundai has very few negatives. Massive plus for the spare wheel – as a country driver that's practically a non-negotiable. One negative – it's probably not quite as mongrel as I was expecting.

What I love about the Honda Civic Type-R, its stand-out looks, also gives me cause for concern. Nothings screams 'look at me' like a bright red winged monster – it looks like it is going fast when it is standing still. The Civic is beautifully balanced and such an enjoyable thing to fling at corners. It lacks the exhaust note of the Focus RS and the i30 N but the engine has torque for days. Negatives? I didn't like the ergonomics. This feels oversized for a traditional hatch. The driver's seat base provides little comfort on long runs and it's a stretch once in the seat to reach the door handle easily to close the front door.

Pop, pop, pop. The Ford Focus RS has alacrity that is unmatched in this company. It is bold, raucous and an absolute weapon. I HATE the hard edge to the front sports seats; other vehicles on test have a similar sized bolster which is at least soft on the thighs. I love the all-wheel drive surety of the thing. It delivers the ultimate confidence, even on wet and leaf-covered corners. Far too stiff and unforgiving to be a daily driver. This is one for weekend manoeuvres.

Well wasn't this a surprise? I thought the Renault Megane RS 280 might want to kill me, but here I am, still very much alive. This one shows much greater poise than the Megane RS 265 I drove previously, although, like the i30 N, the Megane lacks somewhat in the 'balls-out' department. The Megane looks the business, and the wide rear end lets following traffic know you mean it too. I don't like Renault's portrait infotainment screen. It's not the screen per se but the user interface and navigation through options. It is a full-on-distraction which has no place in a sports car. Yay for auto parking though.

The Civic Type R is the most distinctive car in this group – both visually and audibly. I don't need to explain the visuals. The engine note is different from the baritone bass of the other cars and gearing feels lower in the intermediate ratios. At any given speed the Civic can be in third while the other cars are still in second. It is the polar opposite of the Focus for flexibility (although still very strong in the mid-range). I like the gearshift, the direct steering and the handling. As with the other cars in this test it will oversteer on a trailing throttle for a bit of added fun. In terms of packaging the Civic is roomier in the rear than the other cars, but does lose out to the Focus for headroom.

As much as I recognise the inherent value of the i30 N, I couldn't quite warm to it as much as I did the other cars tested. There's nothing wrong with the Hyundai, it won the comparison fair and square and there's little doubt of its very adept chassis tuning. Perhaps I missed the firepower that its rivals had to offer – although that firepower was probably more prevalent due to traction issues that plagued the other cars. The Hyundai just went about its business with little fuss. It's a deserving winner.

I've loved the Peugeot from the first moment I drove the 308 GTi in Portugal for the car's international launch, and subsequently for Australia's Best Driver's Car in 2016. But it does feel out of its depth now, in this company. The steering is very lightly weighted and I found the long-throw gearshift to be the least engaging. It won't always slot into place easily and is totally shamed by the gearshift of the Civic and the Megane. The Peugeot also lacks rear-seat space and ergonomic quirks like the low-set steering wheel and reverse-swinging tacho needle were constant sources of frustration for a couple of the judges. As an aside, however, it deserves consideration simply because it's so very economical.

The Renault is very willing to break out some oversteer dance moves in the wet, but it still feels predictable. The ride comfort in normal mode was to my liking, and it's not short of performance and a satisfying exhaust note to go with it. What I found irksome in the first place was the seats, which are great for a race track, but thoroughly uncomfortable for an hour-long commute.

There’s no grey area with the Civic Type R. I fear its boy racer looks will date quickly. The feel behind the wheel will not.

Love the feel at the wheel of the 308 GTi, what a great steer. But I don’t want my hot hatch to be understated. In this company, it’s near invisible.

The i30 N feels like the hot hatch that everyone can live with. Few compromises and yet so liveable. How do they do it? Seriously?

Now the Megane RS 280 is a sexy hot hatch. Worlds ahead of the Focus and Honda in terms of styling and almost as fun behind the wheel. Love this car and it’s where my money would go.

The Hyundai i30 N just does everything related to driving at least competently and some things really, really well. Love the crackle and bang changing gears.

The Honda Civic Type R is my favourite, the most complete driver’s car. All summed up in the perfect relationship between steering wheel and gear lever and the crunchy snick of that change.

The Peugeot 308 GTI felt narrow and top-heavy compared to everything else. Steering was light and lacked communication. But lightning engine response was a big win. Oh yeah, i-cockpit sucks. Why Peugeot thinks everyone else has been doing ergonomics wrong for over 100 years beats me.

The Renault Megane RS 280, apart from the colour, didn’t stand out for me. Competent but not inspiring.