Verdict
The GAC Emkoo costs RM123,800 to the Toyota Corolla’s RM144,800, yet brings 175 hp and 270 Nm against 137 hp and 172 Nm. Its 638-litre boot is also 168 litres larger, and the SUV body gives it a 2,750-mm wheelbase versus 2,700 mm. For a Malaysian family buyer, that RM21,000 gap also buys a panoramic glass roof, ventilated driver’s seat, blind-spot monitoring and autonomous braking. The Corolla counters with five-star Euro NCAP, ANCAP and ASEAN NCAP ratings, a driver’s knee airbag and dual-zone climate control.
Pick the GAC Emkoo if you want more power, a 638-litre boot and a broader active-safety kit for RM21,000 less.
Pick the Toyota Corolla if five-star ratings from Euro NCAP, ANCAP and ASEAN NCAP, plus dual-zone air-con and a full-size spare, matter more than outright space and performance.
Key differences
- Price: GAC Emkoo RM123,800; Toyota Corolla RM144,800.
- Output: GAC Emkoo 175 hp and 270 Nm; Toyota Corolla 137 hp and 172 Nm.
- Boot space: GAC Emkoo 638 litres; Toyota Corolla 470 litres.
- Dimensions: GAC Emkoo 4,680 mm long and 1,901 mm wide; Toyota Corolla 4,630 mm and 1,780 mm.
- Wheels: GAC Emkoo 19-inch alloys with 235/55R19 tyres; Toyota Corolla 17-inch alloys with 225/45R17 tyres.
- Road tax: GAC Emkoo RM120 a year; Toyota Corolla RM279 a year.
Emkoo
- 175 hp and 270 Nm turbocharged 1.5 litre
- 638-litre boot and 2,750-mm wheelbase
- Blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking and a 360-degree camera
- No Euro NCAP, ANCAP or ASEAN NCAP rating listed against the Corolla’s five-star results
- Single-zone climate control versus the Corolla’s dual-zone system
- Space-saver spare instead of a full-size 17-inch alloy
Corolla
- Five-star Euro NCAP, ANCAP and ASEAN NCAP ratings
- Driver’s knee airbag, dual-zone climate control and front foglamps
- Full-size 17-inch alloy spare tyre
- RM21,000 more expensive
- 137 hp and 172 Nm trail the Emkoo’s 175 hp and 270 Nm
- 470-litre boot is 168 litres smaller than the Emkoo’s
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM123,800✓ | RM144,800 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,497 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 175 hp✓ | 137 hp |
| Torque | 270 Nm✓ | 172 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7DCT | 7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,680 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,901 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,540 kg | 1,365 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 638 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power 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, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilated Driver's Seat | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Manual Recline | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 7 Year, 180,000 km Powertrain Warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM279 |
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 Emkoo & Corolla for sale
Emkoo vs Corolla FAQ
Is the GAC Emkoo or Toyota Corolla better?
The Emkoo is the stronger value case: it is RM21,000 cheaper, has 38 hp and 98 Nm more, and carries 168 litres more luggage. Choose the Corolla for its three five-star safety ratings, knee airbag, dual-zone air-con and full-size spare.
What is the price difference?
The GAC Emkoo is RM21,000 cheaper than the Toyota Corolla, at RM123,800 versus RM144,800. It also has lower annual road tax: RM120 against RM279.
Which car has more boot space?
The GAC Emkoo has the larger boot at 638 litres, compared with 470 litres in the Toyota Corolla. That is a 168-litre advantage for the SUV.