Verdict
At RM103,800, the GAC GS3 costs RM3,900 more than the Toyota Yaris Cross, but its 1.5-litre turbo delivers 177 hp and 270 Nm against 105 hp and 138 Nm. That is a substantial advantage for overtaking and it has a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 7.5 seconds. The Yaris Cross answers with a far larger 471-litre boot versus 341 litres, more extensive airbag coverage, rear air-con vents and a 360-degree camera. For Malaysian buyers carrying family luggage more often than chasing pace, the Toyota is the more rounded daily tool.
Pick the GAC GS3 if 177 hp, 270 Nm and its 7.5-second 0-100 km/h claim matter more to you than maximum cargo space.
Pick the Toyota Yaris Cross if you want the 471-litre boot, broader airbag coverage and more cabin convenience for less money.
Key differences
- Power: GAC GS3 177 hp; Toyota Yaris Cross 105 hp.
- Torque: GAC GS3 270 Nm; Toyota Yaris Cross 138 Nm.
- Boot space: GAC GS3 341 litres; Toyota Yaris Cross 471 litres.
- Airbags: GAC GS3 driver and front passenger; Toyota Yaris Cross driver and passenger, front side, front and rear curtain.
- Air-conditioning: GAC GS3 manual front air-con with no rear vents; Toyota Yaris Cross single-zone automatic climate control with rear vents.
- Warranty mileage: GAC GS3 5 years/150,000 km; Toyota Yaris Cross 5 years/unlimited mileage.
GS3
- 177 hp and 270 Nm from its 1.5-litre turbocharged engine.
- Claimed 0-100 km/h time of 7.5 seconds.
- 47-litre fuel tank and autonomous braking system.
- 341-litre boot is 130 litres smaller than the Toyota Yaris Cross.
- Only driver and front-passenger airbags, versus the Toyota's side and curtain airbags.
- Manual air-con has no rear vents, where the Toyota gets automatic climate control and rear vents.
Yaris Cross
- 471-litre boot gives it 130 litres more luggage room.
- Front side plus front and rear curtain airbags supplement the driver and passenger airbags.
- Gets rear air-con vents, a 360-degree camera and powered boot.
- 105 hp and 138 Nm trail the GAC GS3's 177 hp and 270 Nm by a wide margin.
- No autonomous braking system is listed, while the GAC GS3 has one.
- 42-litre fuel tank is 5 litres smaller than the GAC GS3's 47-litre tank.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM103,800 | RM99,900✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| 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 | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp✓ | 105 hp |
| Torque | 270 Nm✓ | 138 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 72.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,310 mm |
| Width | 1,850 mm | 1,770 mm |
| Height | 1,600 mm | 1,655 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,370 kg | 1,150 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 42 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 341 litres | 471 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 215/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 215/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Steel 195/65R16 Tyre |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UC6 SUV | Toyo Proxes R61 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 18" 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 18" 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 4-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 |
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 GS3 & Yaris Cross for sale
GS3 vs Yaris Cross FAQ
Is the GAC GS3 or Toyota Yaris Cross better?
The Toyota Yaris Cross is the better family-focused choice, with a 471-litre boot, broader airbag coverage and more convenience equipment. Choose the GAC GS3 if its 177 hp turbo engine and 270 Nm are your priorities.
What is the price difference?
The GAC GS3 is RM3,900 more expensive: RM103,800 against RM99,900 for the Toyota Yaris Cross.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Toyota Yaris Cross has the bigger boot at 471 litres, compared with 341 litres in the GAC GS3. That is a 130-litre advantage for luggage, prams or bulky shopping.