Verdict
The Toyota Yaris costs RM88,000 to the Volkswagen Polo’s RM74,990, a RM13,010 gap that brings a much stronger safety and convenience package for Malaysian urban use. Its seven airbags, stability control, pre-collision braking and 360-degree camera are absent from the Polo’s listed kit, while wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and LED lamps make daily driving easier. The Polo is 170 mm shorter and 120 kg lighter, yet has the slightly larger 1.6-litre engine with 153 Nm. It is the cheaper, more compact choice, but the Yaris gives the more complete specification.
Pick the Toyota Yaris if active safety, seven airbags, a 360-degree camera and modern wireless phone connectivity matter more than saving RM13,010.
Pick the Volkswagen Polo if you want the lower RM74,990 entry price, a shorter 3,970-mm hatchback and a conventional six-speed automatic.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota Yaris RM88,000; Volkswagen Polo RM74,990.
- Engine: Toyota Yaris 1,496 cc, 105 hp and 150 Nm; Volkswagen Polo 1,598 cc, 103 hp and 153 Nm.
- Dimensions: Toyota Yaris 4,140 mm long with a 2,550-mm wheelbase; Volkswagen Polo 3,970 mm long with a 2,470-mm wheelbase.
- Weight: Toyota Yaris 1,140 kg; Volkswagen Polo 1,020 kg.
- Safety: Toyota Yaris has 7 airbags and stability control; Volkswagen Polo has 2 airbags and no stability control listed.
- Wheels: Toyota Yaris gets 16-inch alloys on 195/50R16 tyres; Volkswagen Polo gets 15-inch alloys on 185/60R15 tyres.
Yaris
- Seven airbags, stability control and pre-collision braking.
- 360-degree camera and rear parking sensors.
- 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Costs RM13,010 more.
- At 1,140 kg, it is 120 kg heavier than the Polo.
Polo
- RM74,990 price is substantially lower.
- 153 Nm from its 1.6-litre engine, versus the Yaris’ 150 Nm.
- 120 kg lighter and 170 mm shorter than the Yaris.
- Only two airbags versus the Yaris’ seven.
- No stability control, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or reverse camera listed.
- RCD 330 audio has four speakers, versus the Yaris’ six-speaker 9.0-inch wireless smartphone system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM88,000 | RM74,990✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC naturally aspirated |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 105 hp✓ | 103 hp |
| Torque | 150 Nm | 153 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 72 mm | 76.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.3 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT with 7 Speed Sports Sequential Shift | 6-Speed Tiptronic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 11.1 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.3 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 184 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 162 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,140 mm | 3,970 mm |
| Width | 1,730 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Height | 1,475 mm | 1,453 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,550 mm | 2,470 mm |
| Weight | 1,140 kg | 1,020 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 42 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 286 litres✓ | 280 litres |
| Front Tyre | 195/50R16 | 185/60R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/50R16 | 185/60R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 16" Alloy | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes R50 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Two-tone Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Two-tone Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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, Pre-collision Braking | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 front, 1 rear |
| Audio | 9.0" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB and 6 Speakers | RCD 330 radio with CD/MP3/WMA playback, AUX-in, USB, Bluetooth and 4 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | — | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| 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 Yaris & Polo for sale
Yaris vs Polo FAQ
Is the Toyota Yaris or Volkswagen Polo better?
The Yaris is the better-equipped pick: it has seven airbags, stability control, pre-collision braking, a 360-degree camera and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The Polo costs RM13,010 less and is lighter, but its listed safety equipment is far simpler.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Yaris is RM88,000 and the Volkswagen Polo is RM74,990, so the Yaris costs RM13,010 more.
Which hatchback is larger?
The Yaris is larger at 4,140 mm long, 1,730 mm wide and on a 2,550-mm wheelbase. The Polo measures 3,970 mm long, 1,682 mm wide and has a 2,470-mm wheelbase; boot space is close at 286 litres versus 280 litres.