Toyota GR Corolla vs Volkswagen Arteon
Verdict
The Toyota GR Corolla is the sharper car on paper: RM77,938 more buys a 296 hp/400 Nm, manual, AWD hatch that reaches 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. The Volkswagen Arteon counters with 276 hp/350 Nm, AWD and a close 5.6-second sprint, then gives Malaysian buyers the bigger cabin footprint, 563-litre boot and 66-litre tank. It is not slow. The Toyota is the more focused drive; the Volkswagen is the easier long-distance family hatch.
Pick the Toyota GR Corolla if you want the quicker, manual AWD hatch and can live with a 213-litre boot.
Pick the Volkswagen Arteon if you want strong AWD performance with far more boot space, a longer wheelbase and a dual-clutch automatic.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota GR Corolla RM368,950; Volkswagen Arteon RM291,012
- Power and torque: Toyota GR Corolla 296 hp/400 Nm; Volkswagen Arteon 276 hp/350 Nm
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: Toyota GR Corolla 5.3 s/230 km/h; Volkswagen Arteon 5.6 s/250 km/h
- Transmission: Toyota GR Corolla manual; Volkswagen Arteon wet dual-clutch automatic
- Size: Toyota GR Corolla 4,407 mm long with 2,640 mm wheelbase; Volkswagen Arteon 4,862 mm long with 2,837 mm wheelbase
- Boot and tank: Toyota GR Corolla 213 L/50 L; Volkswagen Arteon 563 L/66 L
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 368,950 | RM 291,012✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,618 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Power | 296 hp✓ | 276 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 350 Nm |
| Transmission | Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 5.3 s✓ | 5.6 s |
| Top speed | 230 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | — | 7.4 L/100km |
| CO₂ | — | 164 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,407 mm | 4,862 mm |
| Width | 1,851 mm | 1,871 mm |
| Height | 1,479 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,640 mm | 2,837 mm |
| Boot space | 213 L | 563 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 50 L | 66 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 | 7 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 207✓ | RM 372 |
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.
GR Corolla
- Higher output at 296 hp and 400 Nm
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time at 5.3 seconds
- Manual gearbox with all-wheel drive
- Costs RM77,938 more
- Much smaller 213-litre boot
- Lower 230 km/h top speed
Arteon
- Huge 563-litre boot
- Longer 2,837 mm wheelbase
- Wet dual-clutch automatic with AWD
- Slightly slower 0-100 km/h at 5.6 seconds
- Lower output at 276 hp and 350 Nm
- Higher annual road tax at RM372
GR Corolla vs Arteon FAQ
Is the Toyota GR Corolla or Volkswagen Arteon better?
For driving focus, the Toyota GR Corolla is better: it has more power, more torque, a manual gearbox and a quicker 5.3-second sprint. For family use, the Volkswagen Arteon is stronger with a 563-litre boot and longer 2,837 mm wheelbase.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota GR Corolla costs RM77,938 more than the Volkswagen Arteon, at RM368,950 versus RM291,012.
Which car is more practical for daily use?
The Volkswagen Arteon is more practical on the numbers. It has a 563-litre boot against the Toyota GR Corolla’s 213 litres, a 66-litre fuel tank against 50 litres, and a wet dual-clutch automatic instead of a manual.