Verdict
The Toyota GR Corolla is the sharper performance buy: its 296 hp, 400 Nm and 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time beat the Audi A5 Sportback’s 249 hp, 370 Nm and 5.6 seconds, while costing RM72,040 less. But the Audi makes more sense for regular Malaysian family and business use. Its 4,757-mm body, 2,831-mm wheelbase and 480-litre boot dwarf the GR Corolla’s 4,407 mm, 2,640 mm and 213 litres, and it adds a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, rear air-con and navigation. The Toyota’s six-speed manual and limited-slip differentials demand a more involved driver.
Pick the Audi A5 Sportback if you need the 480-litre boot, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and much longer 2,831-mm wheelbase for daily practicality.
Pick the Toyota GR Corolla if you want 296 hp, 400 Nm, a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time and a six-speed manual for RM72,040 less.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A5 Sportback RM440,990; Toyota GR Corolla RM368,950.
- Power and torque: Audi A5 Sportback 249 hp and 370 Nm; Toyota GR Corolla 296 hp and 400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Audi A5 Sportback 5.6 seconds; Toyota GR Corolla 5.3 seconds.
- Boot space: Audi A5 Sportback 480 litres; Toyota GR Corolla 213 litres.
- Wheelbase: Audi A5 Sportback 2,831 mm; Toyota GR Corolla 2,640 mm.
- Warranty: Audi A5 Sportback two years/unlimited mileage; Toyota GR Corolla five years/unlimited mileage.
A5 Sportback
- 480-litre boot and 40:20:40 rear seat split.
- 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifts.
- Rear air-con, navigation and 12-way powered front seats with driver memory.
- Costs RM72,040 more.
- Slower to 100 km/h at 5.6 seconds versus 5.3 seconds.
- Two-year warranty trails the Toyota’s five years.
GR Corolla
- 296 hp and 400 Nm from its 1.6-litre turbo triple.
- Torsen limited-slip differentials front and rear.
- Seven airbags, pre-collision braking and adaptive cruise control.
- 213-litre boot is 267 litres smaller than the Audi’s.
- Six-speed manual requires the driver to shift; the Audi has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
- No rear air-con, navigation or powered front-seat adjustment.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,990 | RM368,950✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372 | RM207✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,618 cc |
| Horsepower | 249 hp at 5,000 rpm | 296 hp at 6,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 370 Nm at 1,600 rpm | 400 Nm at 3,250 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 3 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82.5 mm × 92.8 mm | 87 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 6 hp | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic | 6MT |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Toyota |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 5.3 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 230 km/h |
| Co2 | 163 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,757 mm | 4,407 mm |
| Width | 1,843 mm | 1,851 mm |
| Height | 1,386 mm | 1,479 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,831 mm | 2,640 mm |
| Weight | 1,605 kg | 1,475 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 213 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R19 | 235/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 235/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Yokohama Advan Apex |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Passive Sports Suspension | Torsen Limited Slip Differential Front and Rear |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — Equivalent to A4 | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam and Sequential Indicators | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | — |
| Power Sockets | Front 1x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x 12V, Rear 1x 12V | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Wireless Charger, 1 USB Front, 1 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen MMI navigation plus with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 10-speaker, 180W Sound System | 9" Touchscreen Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Auto Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 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 A5 Sportback & GR Corolla for sale
A5 Sportback vs GR Corolla FAQ
Is the Audi A5 Sportback or Toyota GR Corolla better?
The GR Corolla is better for outright performance, with 296 hp, 400 Nm and a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time. The A5 Sportback is better for carrying people and luggage, with a 480-litre boot, rear air-con and a dual-clutch automatic.
What is the price difference?
The Audi A5 Sportback costs RM440,990 and the Toyota GR Corolla costs RM368,950, so the Audi costs RM72,040 more.
Which has the better warranty and safety equipment?
The GR Corolla has a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty against the A5 Sportback’s two years, plus seven airbags, pre-collision braking and adaptive cruise control. The Audi has six airbags and steering-correction lane-keeping assist.
