Verdict
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe costs RM173,800, RM29,000 more than the Toyota Corolla at RM144,800, but its 1.5-litre turbo makes 156 hp and 230 Nm against 137 hp and 172 Nm from the Corolla’s 1.8-litre naturally aspirated engine. That torque arrives at 1,500 rpm rather than 4,000 rpm, which matters in urban overtaking. The Corolla answers with a 2,700-mm wheelbase, 470-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. Its RM279 annual road tax is far higher than the BMW’s RM90, though.
Pick the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe if you want 230 Nm from 1,500 rpm, an 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time, 18-inch wheels and power-adjustable front seats with driver memory.
Pick the Toyota Corolla if you prioritise the 470-litre boot, 2,700-mm wheelbase, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and a 360-degree camera for RM29,000 less.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe RM173,800; Toyota Corolla RM144,800.
- Output: BMW 156 hp and 230 Nm; Toyota 137 hp and 172 Nm.
- Engine: BMW 1,499-cc turbocharged inline-three; Toyota 1,798-cc naturally aspirated inline-four.
- Practicality: BMW 2,670-mm wheelbase and 430-litre boot; Toyota 2,700 mm and 470 litres.
- Wheels: BMW 18-inch alloys with 225/45R18 tyres; Toyota 17-inch alloys with 225/45R17 tyres.
- Safety and parking: BMW has six airbags and a reverse camera; Toyota has seven airbags and a 360-degree camera.
2 Series Gran Coupe
- 156 hp and 230 Nm, with peak torque from 1,500 rpm.
- 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time and 230 km/h top speed.
- Power-adjustable front seats, driver memory, wireless phone charger and four USB-C ports.
- RM29,000 more expensive.
- 430-litre boot is 40 litres smaller.
- Passive cruise control and a standard reverse camera trail the Corolla’s adaptive system and 360-degree view.
Corolla
- 470-litre boot and 2,700-mm wheelbase.
- Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go.
- Seven airbags, auto high beam, front foglamps and a full-size 17-inch alloy spare wheel.
- Makes 19 hp and 58 Nm less than the BMW.
- RM279 annual road tax is RM189 higher.
- Manual passenger-seat adjustment versus the BMW’s power-adjustable front passenger seat.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM173,800 | RM144,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM279 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,499 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 156 hp at 4,900 rpm✓ | 137 hp at 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 230 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 172 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 3 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 80.5 mm × 88.3 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Dual-clutch | 7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,546 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 2,070 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Height | 1,445 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,365 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 430 litres | 470 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" Y-spoke Two-tone Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Y-spoke Two-tone Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available on Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver-side Memory Function | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 9 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 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 2 Series Gran Coupe & Corolla for sale
2 Series Gran Coupe vs Corolla FAQ
Is the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe or Toyota Corolla better?
The BMW is better for performance, with 156 hp, 230 Nm and an 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time. The Toyota is the better practicality and driver-assistance choice, with a 470-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe costs RM29,000 more than the Toyota Corolla. The gap brings a turbocharged 156-hp engine, 18-inch wheels, powered front seats and more USB charging points, but not adaptive cruise control or a 360-degree camera.
Which car has the better safety equipment?
The Toyota Corolla has seven airbags, five-star Euro NCAP, ANCAP and ASEAN NCAP ratings, plus adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go. The BMW has six airbags, lane-keeping warning and six front and six rear parking sensors.
