Verdict
The Corolla is about 22% cheaper, the Corolla has a 19% bigger boot, while the Golf is 7% more powerful. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 144,800✓ | RM 185,990 |
| Body type | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing with 48-volt MHEV assistance |
| Capacity | 1,798 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 137 hp | 148 hp✓ |
| Torque | 172 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 80.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) |
| Transmission Name | 7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT | 7-Speed DSG |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.6 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,630 mm | 4,289 mm |
| Width | 1,780 mm | 1,789 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,483 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,631 mm |
| Weight | 1,365 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres✓ | 380 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 17" Alloy | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 | Bridgestone Turanza T005 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Coventry Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Coventry Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Electronic differential lock (XDS) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag |
| 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 two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam | IQ.Light Matrix LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | 2nd Row Vents, single-zone |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 12.9" Digital Cockpit Pro with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 7-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 279 | RM 90✓ |
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.