Verdict
The Toyota GR Corolla is the expensive, focused one: RM368,950 buys 296 hp, 400 Nm, a 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive and a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time. The Toyota Vios is the rational Malaysian sedan at RM90,600, with 104 hp, a CVT, 5.2 L/100 km rated economy and a 475-litre boot. That gap is not subtle. The Toyota GR Corolla is about pace and hardware; the Toyota Vios gives you space, lower road tax and an ASEAN NCAP 5-star rating.
Pick the Toyota GR Corolla if you want the 296 hp/400 Nm turbo manual hatch with all-wheel drive and Torsen LSDs more than boot space or price.
Pick the Toyota Vios if a 475-litre boot and 5.2 L/100 km rated economy matter more than a 296 hp manual all-wheel-drive hatch.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota GR Corolla RM368,950; Toyota Vios RM90,600
- Output: Toyota GR Corolla 296 hp/400 Nm; Toyota Vios 104 hp/138 Nm
- Driveline and gearbox: Toyota GR Corolla AWD 6MT; Toyota Vios FWD CVT with 7-speed Sequential Shiftmatic
- Boot and tank: Toyota GR Corolla 213 litres/50 litres; Toyota Vios 475 litres/40 litres
- Size: Toyota GR Corolla 4,407 x 1,851 x 1,479 mm; Toyota Vios 4,425 x 1,740 x 1,480 mm
- Wheels and rear brakes: Toyota GR Corolla 18-inch alloys with ventilated/slotted discs; Toyota Vios 16-inch alloys with drums
GR Corolla
- 296 hp and 400 Nm with 5.3-second 0-100 km/h
- All-wheel drive with front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials
- 18-inch Yokohama Advan Apex tyres and double-wishbone rear suspension
- RM278,350 pricier to buy
- 213-litre boot is less than half the Toyota Vios' 475 litres
- Lane-keeping is warning only; the Toyota Vios adds steering correction
Vios
- Costs RM90,600 and has RM90 yearly road tax
- 475-litre boot and 5.2 L/100 km rated economy
- ASEAN NCAP 5-star rating, rear air-con vents and 3D panoramic view monitor
- 104 hp and 138 Nm are far behind the Toyota GR Corolla's 296 hp and 400 Nm
- Front-wheel drive CVT only; no manual or AWD
- Rear drums and torsion beam versus the Toyota GR Corolla's all-disc, double-wishbone rear setup
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,950 | RM90,600✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,618 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 296 hp✓ | 104 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 138 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 87 mm | 72.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 11.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6MT | CVT with 7-speed Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Toyota | Akashi Kikai |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.3 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,407 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,851 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Height | 1,479 mm | 1,480 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,640 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,475 kg | 1,015 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 213 litres | 475 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/40R18 | 195/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/40R18 | 195/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size 16" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Yokohama Advan Apex | Toyo Proxes CR1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Torsen Limited Slip Differential Front and Rear | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Pre-collision Braking | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Front Departure Alert, Pedal Misoperation Control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Fixed Bench |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Manual |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Wireless Charger, 1 USB Front, 1 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9" Touchscreen Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers | 9" Touchscreen Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Auto Windows | 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 3D Panoramic View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, Premium Solar and Security Tint, Front Digital Video Recorder |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM207 | RM90✓ |
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 GR Corolla & Vios for sale
GR Corolla vs Vios FAQ
Is the Toyota GR Corolla or Toyota Vios better?
For driving performance, the Toyota GR Corolla is better: 296 hp, 400 Nm, AWD and 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. For ownership sense, the Toyota Vios is better with its 475-litre boot, 5.2 L/100 km rating and RM90 road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota GR Corolla costs RM368,950, while the Toyota Vios costs RM90,600. The difference is RM278,350, which is more than three extra Toyota Vios sedans on price alone.
Which is more practical day to day?
The Toyota Vios. It has a 475-litre boot versus 213 litres, rear air-con vents, a full-size 16-inch alloy spare and a rated 5.2 L/100 km economy figure. The Toyota GR Corolla counters with split-folding rear seats and a 50-litre tank.