Verdict
The Honda Civic Type R costs RM30,950 more at RM399,900, but brings 315 hp, 420 Nm, a 410-litre boot and 2,734 mm wheelbase. It is the more useful five-door for four occupants and has the stronger 272 km/h top speed, despite trailing 0-100 km/h by 0.2 seconds. The Toyota GR Corolla is quicker to 100 km/h at 5.3 seconds, sends 296 hp and 400 Nm through all-wheel drive, seats five and costs less to tax annually at RM207 versus RM378. Pick based on practicality versus drivetrain preference, not a huge straight-line gap.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R if you need the 410-litre boot, four-seat layout, stronger 315 hp/420 Nm output and Honda Sensing lane steering correction.
Pick the Toyota GR Corolla if all-wheel drive, five seats, a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time and the lower RM207 annual road tax matter more.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic Type R RM399,900; Toyota GR Corolla RM368,950.
- Performance: Honda Civic Type R 315 hp and 420 Nm; Toyota GR Corolla 296 hp and 400 Nm.
- Driveline and 0-100 km/h: Honda Civic Type R front-wheel drive and 5.5 seconds; Toyota GR Corolla all-wheel drive and 5.3 seconds.
- Practicality: Honda Civic Type R has four seats and a 410-litre boot; Toyota GR Corolla has five seats and a 213-litre boot.
- Dimensions and weight: Honda Civic Type R is 4,593 mm long and 1,423 kg; Toyota GR Corolla is 4,407 mm long and 1,475 kg.
- Road tax and top speed: Honda Civic Type R RM378/year and 272 km/h; Toyota GR Corolla RM207/year and 230 km/h.
Civic Type R
- 315 hp and 420 Nm from the 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder
- 410-litre boot and 2,734 mm wheelbase
- Lane-keeping steering correction, adaptive dampers and auto wipers
- Front-wheel drive versus the GR Corolla's all-wheel drive
- 5.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 0.2 seconds slower
- Four seats and six airbags versus five seats and seven airbags
GR Corolla
- All-wheel drive with front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials
- 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Five seats, seven airbags and lower RM207 annual road tax
- 213-litre boot is 197 litres smaller
- 296 hp and 400 Nm trail the Civic Type R's 315 hp and 420 Nm
- Warning-only lane-keeping assist and no auto wipers
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM399,900 | RM368,950✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378 | RM207✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,996 cc | 1,618 cc |
| Horsepower | 315 hp at 6,500 rpm✓ | 296 hp at 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 420 Nm at 2,600 rpm✓ | 400 Nm at 3,250 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 3 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 86 mm × 85.9 mm | 87 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | 6MT |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.5 seconds | 5.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 272 km/h✓ | 230 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,593 mm | 4,407 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,851 mm |
| Height | 1,407 mm | 1,479 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,734 mm | 2,640 mm |
| Weight | 1,423 kg | 1,475 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres✓ | 213 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/30R19 | 235/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/30R19 | 235/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Yokohama Advan Apex |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | Torsen Limited Slip Differential Front and Rear |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, 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 | 4 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, Honda Sensing | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-A | 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 | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | 9" Touchscreen Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's and Front Passenger's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Auto Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | 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 Civic Type R & GR Corolla for sale
Civic Type R vs GR Corolla FAQ
Is the Honda Civic Type R or Toyota GR Corolla better?
The Civic Type R is better for carrying luggage, with a 410-litre boot versus 213 litres, and has more power at 315 hp. The GR Corolla is the better pick if you prioritise all-wheel drive, five seats and its 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic Type R costs RM399,900 and the Toyota GR Corolla costs RM368,950, so the Honda is RM30,950 more expensive. Annual road tax is also higher for the Honda: RM378 versus RM207.
Which car is quicker?
The Toyota GR Corolla reaches 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, 0.2 seconds ahead of the Honda Civic Type R's 5.5 seconds. The Honda has the higher top speed, at 272 km/h versus 230 km/h.
