GAC Emkoo vs Toyota Corolla Cross
Verdict
At RM123,800 against RM133,800, the GAC Emkoo is the bigger, stronger buy on paper: 175 hp, 270 Nm, 638 litres of boot space and a 2,750 mm wheelbase give it clear family-SUV advantages. The Toyota Corolla Cross counters with the calmer, familiar brief: a 1.8 litre petrol engine, CVT, seven airbags and Toyota’s reliability reputation. If you want metal and output for the money, the Emkoo has the numbers. If reassurance matters more, the Corolla Cross still makes sense.
Pick the GAC Emkoo if you want the larger cabin footprint, much bigger boot and stronger 175 hp/270 Nm output for less money.
Pick the Toyota Corolla Cross if you prefer the Toyota ownership comfort, CVT delivery and seven-airbag count over outright size and performance.
Key differences
- Price: GAC Emkoo RM123,800; Toyota Corolla Cross RM133,800
- Engine and output: GAC Emkoo 1,497 cc with 175 hp/270 Nm; Toyota Corolla Cross 1,798 cc with 138 hp/172 Nm
- Transmission: GAC Emkoo wet dual-clutch automatic; Toyota Corolla Cross CVT automatic
- Size: GAC Emkoo 4,680/1,901/1,670 mm; Toyota Corolla Cross 4,460/1,825/1,620 mm
- Wheelbase and boot: GAC Emkoo 2,750 mm and 638 litres; Toyota Corolla Cross 2,640 mm and 440 litres
- Road tax: GAC Emkoo RM120 a year; Toyota Corolla Cross RM359 a year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 123,800✓ | RM 133,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,497 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Power | 175 hp✓ | 138 hp |
| Torque | 270 Nm✓ | 172 Nm |
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 8.8 s | — |
| Top speed | 190 km/h✓ | 185 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,680 mm | 4,460 mm |
| Width | 1,901 mm | 1,825 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,640 mm |
| Boot space | 638 L✓ | 440 L |
| Fuel tank | 55 L | 47 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | RM 359 |
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.
Emkoo
- Stronger 175 hp and 270 Nm outputs
- Bigger 638-litre boot
- Lower RM120 annual road tax
- Six airbags versus the Toyota’s seven
- Larger 1,901 mm width may feel bulkier in tight parking
- Wet dual-clutch automatic will not suit buyers who specifically want a CVT
Corolla Cross
- Seven airbags
- Toyota reliability reputation
- CVT automatic for buyers who prefer that layout
- Lower 138 hp and 172 Nm outputs
- Smaller 440-litre boot
- Higher RM359 annual road tax
Emkoo vs Corolla Cross FAQ
Is the GAC Emkoo or Toyota Corolla Cross better?
The GAC Emkoo is better on size, power, boot space, price and road tax. The Toyota Corolla Cross is better if you put more weight on seven airbags, a CVT and Toyota’s reliability reputation.
What is the price difference?
The GAC Emkoo is RM10,000 cheaper than the Toyota Corolla Cross. The gap sits alongside lower annual road tax too: RM120 for the GAC versus RM359 for the Toyota.
Which has the bigger boot?
The GAC Emkoo has the bigger boot by a large margin: 638 litres versus 440 litres in the Toyota Corolla Cross, a 198-litre advantage for luggage, strollers or balik kampung bags.