Verdict
These are radically different B-segment propositions. The RM225,000 gap takes you from the Vios’ 104 hp, 138 Nm 1.5-litre CVT front-driver to a 296 hp, 400 Nm 1.6-litre turbo GR Yaris with six-speed manual, all-wheel drive and a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time. For a Malaysian household, the Vios is the rational call: five seats, four doors and a 475-litre boot versus four seats, two doors and 174 litres. It also returns a rated 5.2 L/100 km and costs RM90 a year in road tax, against RM207 for the GR Yaris.
Pick the Toyota GR Yaris if you want 296 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual, and can accept RM315,600 plus far less passenger and luggage capacity.
Pick the Toyota Vios if you need a RM90,600 five-seat sedan with a 475-litre boot, CVT automatic and rated 5.2 L/100 km economy.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota GR Yaris RM315,600; Toyota Vios RM90,600.
- Power and torque: Toyota GR Yaris 296 hp and 400 Nm; Toyota Vios 104 hp and 138 Nm.
- Driveline and transmission: Toyota GR Yaris all-wheel drive with six-speed manual; Toyota Vios front-wheel drive with CVT automatic.
- Acceleration: Toyota GR Yaris 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds; Toyota Vios has no 0-100 km/h figure stated.
- Practicality: Toyota GR Yaris has four seats and 174 litres of boot space; Toyota Vios has five seats and 475 litres.
- Economy and road tax: Toyota GR Yaris has no rated economy figure and RM207 annual road tax; Toyota Vios is rated at 5.2 L/100 km and RM90.
GR Yaris
- 296 hp and 400 Nm from a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine.
- All-wheel drive, Torsen front and rear limited-slip differentials and user-selectable torque split.
- Adaptive cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control and auto wipers.
- RM225,000 more expensive than the Vios.
- Only two doors, four seats and a 174-litre boot versus the Vios’ four doors, five seats and 475 litres.
- RM207 annual road tax, compared with RM90 for the Vios.
Vios
- RM90,600 price and rated fuel use of 5.2 L/100 km.
- Five seats, four doors and a 475-litre boot.
- Five-star ASEAN NCAP rating, steering correction lane-keeping assist and 3D panoramic-view monitor.
- 104 hp and 138 Nm are far below the GR Yaris’ 296 hp and 400 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive CVT instead of the GR Yaris’ all-wheel drive and six-speed manual.
- No adaptive cruise control, auto wipers or telescopic steering adjustment.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM315,600 | RM90,600✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM207 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual 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 | 5.2 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,995 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,805 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Height | 1,455 mm | 1,480 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,560 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,280 kg | 1,015 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 4 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 174 litres | 475 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R18 | 195/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/40R18 | 195/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size 16" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | 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 Front and Rear Limited-slip Differential, Performance-tuned Springs, Dampers and Steering, User-selectable Torque Split, Rev Matching | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 |
| Seat Belts | 4 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, 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 Reflector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | 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 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" Touchscreen Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, AUX and 6 Speakers | 9" Touchscreen Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| 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 |
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 Yaris & Vios for sale
GR Yaris vs Vios FAQ
Is the Toyota GR Yaris or Toyota Vios better?
The Vios is better for daily family use, with five seats, four doors, a 475-litre boot and rated 5.2 L/100 km economy. The GR Yaris is the performance choice, with 296 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota GR Yaris costs RM315,600 and the Toyota Vios costs RM90,600, so the GR Yaris is RM225,000 dearer.
Which Toyota is more practical for passengers and luggage?
The Toyota Vios is decisively more practical: it has four doors, five seats and a 475-litre boot. The GR Yaris has two doors, four seats and 174 litres of boot space.