Verdict
At RM106,800 against RM144,800, the Aion ES leaves RM38,000 in your pocket and cuts annual road tax from RM279 to RM70. Its 55.2-kWh battery brings a claimed 442 km range, while the 136-hp, 225-Nm motor has 53 Nm more torque than the Corolla’s 1.8-litre 137-hp, 172-Nm petrol unit. The Toyota counters with adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go, a 360-degree camera and a 470-litre boot, 20 litres larger than the Aion’s. Pick the Aion if home or workplace charging is sorted; pick the Corolla for its specified driver aids and unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Aion ES if you can charge regularly and want 442 km claimed EV range, 225 Nm and RM70 annual road tax for RM38,000 less.
Pick the Toyota Corolla if adaptive cruise control with steering assist, a 360-degree camera and an unlimited-mileage warranty matter more than the higher purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: Aion ES RM106,800; Toyota Corolla RM144,800.
- Annual road tax: Aion ES RM70; Toyota Corolla RM279.
- Powertrain output: Aion ES 136 hp and 225 Nm; Toyota Corolla 137 hp and 172 Nm.
- Length: Aion ES 4,810 mm; Toyota Corolla 4,630 mm.
- Boot space: Aion ES 450 litres; Toyota Corolla 470 litres.
- Warranty: Aion ES eight years/160,000 km; Toyota Corolla five years/unlimited mileage.
ES
- 442 km claimed range from a 55.2-kWh battery.
- 225 Nm electric-motor torque.
- 3.3-kW vehicle-to-load capability.
- 450-litre boot is 20 litres smaller than the Corolla's.
- Warranty ends at 160,000 km; the Corolla's mileage cover is unlimited.
Corolla
- Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go.
- 360-degree camera plus front and rear parking sensors.
- 470-litre boot and a full-size 17-inch alloy spare wheel.
- Costs RM38,000 more than the Aion ES.
- RM279 annual road tax versus RM70.
- 172 Nm is 53 Nm below the Aion ES's 225 Nm.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM106,800✓ | RM144,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70✓ | RM279 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 137 hp |
| Torque | — | 172 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 136 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 225 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 55.2 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 442 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 60 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,810 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Height | 1,545 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,365 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 450 litres | 470 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55 R17 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55 R17 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | — | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | — | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | — | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 17 | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17 | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | — | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | — | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | — | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | — | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | — | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | — | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | — | 9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | — | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | — | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | — | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used ES & Corolla for sale
ES vs Corolla FAQ
Is the Aion ES or Toyota Corolla better?
The Aion ES is the better buy for buyers with regular charging, thanks to its 442 km claimed range, 225 Nm motor and far lower road tax. The Toyota Corolla is the stronger choice for its specified adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and unlimited-mileage warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Aion ES is RM38,000 cheaper than the Toyota Corolla. Its annual road tax is also RM209 lower, at RM70 versus RM279.
Which has more boot space?
The Toyota Corolla has the larger boot at 470 litres, compared with 450 litres in the Aion ES. That is a modest 20-litre advantage for the Toyota.