Verdict
The Hyundai Tucson makes the stronger case for a family that needs space: its 582-litre boot beats the Toyota Corolla’s 470 litres, and the 2.0-litre produces 154 hp and 192 Nm against 137 hp and 172 Nm. It is also 230 mm taller and rides on a 55 mm longer wheelbase. The Corolla answers with RM279 annual road tax versus RM440, plus adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go. At just RM912 less, the Tucson’s eight-year/160,000 km warranty and extra cabin charging hardware carry real weight.
Pick the Hyundai Tucson if you need the larger 582-litre boot, more power and torque, plus an eight-year/160,000 km warranty.
Pick the Toyota Corolla if adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, a 360-degree camera and lower RM279 annual road tax matter more than SUV space.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Tucson RM143,888; Toyota Corolla RM144,800
- Output: Hyundai Tucson 154 hp and 192 Nm; Toyota Corolla 137 hp and 172 Nm
- Boot space: Hyundai Tucson 582 litres; Toyota Corolla 470 litres
- Annual road tax: Hyundai Tucson RM440; Toyota Corolla RM279
- Warranty: Hyundai Tucson 8 years/160,000 km; Toyota Corolla 5 years/unlimited mileage
- Cruise control: Hyundai Tucson passive cruise control; Toyota Corolla adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go
Tucson
- 582-litre boot, 112 litres larger than the Corolla’s
- 154 hp and 192 Nm from its 2.0-litre petrol engine
- Eight-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty
- RM440 annual road tax versus the Corolla’s RM279
- Passive cruise control instead of adaptive stop-and-go assistance
- Manual front-seat adjustment, where the Corolla has an eight-way power driver’s seat
Corolla
- Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go
- 360-degree camera and full-size 17-inch alloy spare wheel
- RM279 annual road tax
- 137 hp and 172 Nm trail the Tucson’s 154 hp and 192 Nm
- 470-litre boot is 112 litres smaller than the Tucson’s
- Five-year warranty is shorter than the Tucson’s eight-year/160,000 km cover
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM143,888✓ | RM144,800 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440 | RM279✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 154 hp✓ | 137 hp |
| Torque | 192 Nm✓ | 172 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | 7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | 181 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,630 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Height | 1,665 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,755 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,488 kg | 1,365 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 54 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 582 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R17 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R17 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | — | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 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 Front Passenger, Front and Rear 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 12.3" Curved Widescreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | 9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive 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 | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | 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 Tucson & Corolla for sale
Tucson vs Corolla FAQ
Is the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota Corolla better?
The Tucson is the better family pick for its 582-litre boot, stronger 154 hp/192 Nm output and longer warranty. Choose the Corolla if adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera and lower annual road tax are higher priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Tucson costs RM912 less than the Toyota Corolla.
Which has more boot space?
The Hyundai Tucson has the larger boot at 582 litres, compared with 470 litres in the Toyota Corolla. That is a 112-litre advantage for the SUV.