Verdict
At RM399,900, the Honda Civic Type R costs RM30,950 more than the RM368,950 Toyota GR Corolla, and its RM378 annual road tax is RM171 higher. The Honda brings 315 hp, 420 Nm, a 410-litre boot and a 2,734-mm wheelbase, so it is the more practical four-seat fast hatch. The GR Corolla counters with all-wheel drive, a quicker 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time and five seats. For Malaysian use, the Honda’s much larger luggage space matters; the Toyota makes the stronger case for buyers prioritising AWD traction and the lower entry price.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R if you want 315 hp, 410 litres of boot space and a longer 2,734-mm wheelbase, and can accept front-wheel drive and the RM30,950 premium.
Pick the Toyota GR Corolla if all-wheel drive, a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time, five seats and lower RM207 annual road tax matter more than boot capacity and outright power.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic Type R RM399,900; Toyota GR Corolla RM368,950.
- Power and torque: Honda 315 hp and 420 Nm; Toyota 296 hp and 400 Nm.
- Drive and 0-100 km/h: Honda front-wheel drive, 5.5 seconds; Toyota all-wheel drive, 5.3 seconds.
- Boot and seating: Honda 410 litres and four seats; Toyota 213 litres and five seats.
- Dimensions and weight: Honda 4,593 mm long, 2,734-mm wheelbase, 1,423 kg; Toyota 4,407 mm, 2,640 mm, 1,475 kg.
- Annual road tax and top speed: Honda RM378 and 272 km/h; Toyota RM207 and 230 km/h.
Civic Type R
- 315 hp and 420 Nm, ahead of the Toyota’s 296 hp and 400 Nm.
- 410-litre boot, 197 litres larger than the GR Corolla’s.
- Larger 19-inch wheels, adaptive dampers and steering-correction lane keeping.
- Front-wheel drive versus the GR Corolla’s all-wheel drive.
- Four seats versus the Toyota’s five.
- RM30,950 higher price and RM171 more annual road tax.
GR Corolla
- All-wheel drive and a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Five seats in a shorter 4,407-mm hatchback.
- RM30,950 cheaper, with RM207 annual road tax and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- 213-litre boot is 197 litres smaller than the Civic Type R’s.
- 296 hp and 400 Nm trail the Honda’s 315 hp and 420 Nm.
- 230 km/h top speed trails the Honda’s 272 km/h.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM399,900 | RM368,950✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378 | RM207✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,996 cc | 1,618 cc |
| Horsepower | 315 hp✓ | 296 hp |
| Torque | 420 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 86 mm | 87 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | 6MT |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.5 seconds | 5.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 272 km/h✓ | 230 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,593 mm | 4,407 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,851 mm |
| Height | 1,407 mm | 1,479 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,734 mm | 2,640 mm |
| Weight | 1,423 kg | 1,475 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres✓ | 213 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/30R19 | 235/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/30R19 | 235/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Yokohama Advan Apex |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | Torsen Limited Slip Differential Front and Rear |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-A | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Wireless Charger, 1 USB Front, 1 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | 9" Touchscreen Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's and Front Passenger's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Auto Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | — | 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 Civic Type R & GR Corolla for sale
Civic Type R vs GR Corolla FAQ
Is the Honda Civic Type R or Toyota GR Corolla better?
The Civic Type R is better for power, luggage space and a longer wheelbase, with 315 hp and a 410-litre boot. The GR Corolla is better if you want all-wheel drive, five seats and the quicker 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic Type R costs RM30,950 more than the Toyota GR Corolla. Their annual road tax differs by RM171 too: RM378 for the Honda and RM207 for the Toyota.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Honda Civic Type R has the bigger boot at 410 litres, against 213 litres in the Toyota GR Corolla. The Honda gives you 197 litres more luggage capacity, although it has four seats to the Toyota’s five.