Verdict
At RM144,800 against RM149,800, the 1.8 GR Sport asks another RM5,000 without adding power: both use a 1,798 cc petrol engine with 137 hp and 172 Nm, front-wheel drive and a CVT. The extra money buys the meaningful safety gap — TSS pre-collision braking from 4-120 km/h with pedestrian detection, collision warning, blind spot info and tyre pressure monitoring — plus 18-inch wheels, 10-speed Sequential Shiftmatic and sports-tuned suspension. The 1.8G fights back with dual-zone air-con and Auto High Beam, so it is not a simple higher-is-better call.
Pick the Toyota Corolla 1.8G if you want the lower price, dual-zone air-con and Auto High Beam more than the GR Sport’s extra driver assistance kit.
Pick the Toyota Corolla 1.8 GR Sport if you will use the added active safety features and prefer its 18-inch wheels, 10-speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT and sports-tuned suspension.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota Corolla 1.8G RM144,800; Toyota Corolla 1.8 GR Sport RM149,800
- Sequential Shiftmatic CVT: Toyota Corolla 1.8G 7-speed; Toyota Corolla 1.8 GR Sport 10-speed
- Wheels and tyres: Toyota Corolla 1.8G 17-inch alloys with 225/45R17; Toyota Corolla 1.8 GR Sport 18-inch alloys with 225/40R18 front and 225/45R18 rear
- Suspension note: Toyota Corolla 1.8G —; Toyota Corolla 1.8 GR Sport sports-tuned suspension
- Active safety: Toyota Corolla 1.8G no autonomous braking, collision warning or blind spot info; Toyota Corolla 1.
- Cabin and lighting: Toyota Corolla 1.8G dual-zone automatic climate control and Bi-LED projector with Auto High Beam; Toyota Corolla 1.
1.8G
- RM5,000 cheaper than the GR Sport
- Dual-zone automatic climate control instead of single-zone
- Bi-LED projector headlamps include Auto High Beam
- No TSS pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection
- No blind spot info system
- No sports-tuned suspension or 18-inch wheels
1.8 GR Sport
- Adds TSS pre-collision braking from 4-120 km/h with pedestrian detection
- Gets blind spot info, collision warning and tyre pressure monitoring
- Adds 18-inch wheels, 10-speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT and sports-tuned suspension
- Costs RM5,000 more without extra horsepower or torque
- Single-zone automatic climate control versus the 1.8G’s dual-zone system
- Bi-LED projector headlamps do not list Auto High Beam
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 144,800✓ | RM 149,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with dual variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,798 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 137 hp | 137 hp |
| Torque | 172 Nm | 172 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 80.5 mm | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT | 10 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT |
| Gears | — | 10 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,630 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,780 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,365 kg | 1,365 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 225/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 225/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 17" Alloy | Full-size 16" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sports-Tuned Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 two outer rear passenger seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, TSS Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Bi-LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| 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 | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 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 Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 12.3" Digital Driver's Display |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 279 | RM 279 |
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.
1.8G vs 1.8 GR Sport FAQ
Is the Toyota Corolla 1.8G or Toyota Corolla 1.8 GR Sport better?
The Toyota Corolla 1.8 GR Sport is better if active safety is the priority, because it adds pre-collision braking, blind spot info, collision warning and tyre pressure monitoring. The 1.8G is the cleaner buy if you prefer dual-zone air-con and a lower price.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Corolla 1.8 GR Sport costs RM5,000 more than the Toyota Corolla 1.8G, at RM149,800 versus RM144,800.
Does the Toyota Corolla 1.8 GR Sport get more power?
No. Both variants use a 1,798 cc petrol engine with 137 hp and 172 Nm, driving the front wheels through a CVT. The GR Sport’s gains are in safety kit, wheels, CVT programming and sports-tuned suspension.