Verdict
The Toyota Corolla costs RM144,800, a substantial RM54,200 above the RM90,600 Toyota Vios, but it brings a 137 hp/172 Nm 1.8-litre engine against 104 hp/138 Nm from the Vios’ 1.5, plus a 2,700 mm wheelbase and double-wishbone rear suspension. The Vios fights back with a claimed 5.2 L/100 km figure, more active-safety functions and a marginally larger 475-litre boot. For Malaysian buyers, the Corolla is the more substantial long-distance sedan; the Vios makes much stronger financial sense.
Pick the Toyota Corolla if you want 33 hp and 34 Nm more, a 2,700 mm wheelbase, double-wishbone rear suspension and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.
Pick the Toyota Vios if you want to save RM54,200 upfront, pay RM90 rather than RM279 in annual road tax, and have pre-collision braking plus blind-spot monitoring.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota Corolla RM144,800; Toyota Vios RM90,600.
- Engine output: Toyota Corolla 137 hp and 172 Nm; Toyota Vios 104 hp and 138 Nm.
- Dimensions: Toyota Corolla has a 2,700 mm wheelbase and is 4,630 mm long; Toyota Vios has a 2,620 mm wheelbase and is 4,425 mm long.
- Rear suspension: Toyota Corolla uses double wishbones; Toyota Vios uses a torsion beam.
- Safety: Toyota Corolla has seven airbags; Toyota Vios has six airbags plus pre-collision braking and blind-spot monitoring.
- Boot space: Toyota Corolla 470 litres; Toyota Vios 475 litres.
Corolla
- 137 hp and 172 Nm from the 1.8-litre engine
- Double-wishbone rear suspension and 2,700 mm wheelbase
- Seven airbags, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera
- RM54,200 more expensive and RM279 annual road tax versus RM90
- Lacks the Vios’ pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- 470-litre boot is 5 litres smaller
Vios
- RM90,600 price and RM90 annual road tax
- Claimed 5.2 L/100 km fuel economy
- Pre-collision braking, steering correction and blind-spot monitoring
- 104 hp and 138 Nm trail the Corolla by 33 hp and 34 Nm
- Torsion-beam rear suspension rather than double wishbones
- Six airbags versus the Corolla’s seven
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM144,800 | RM90,600✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM279 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,798 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 137 hp at 6,400 rpm✓ | 104 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 172 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ | 138 Nm at 4,200 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 80.5 mm × 88.3 mm | 72.5 mm × 90.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 11.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT | CVT with 7-speed Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Akashi Kikai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 5.2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,630 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,780 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,480 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,365 kg | 1,015 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 475 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 195/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 195/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 17" Alloy | Full-size 16" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 | Toyo Proxes CR1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" 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 | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (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 | 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Front Departure Alert, Pedal Misoperation Control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest | Fixed Bench |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Manual |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 9" Touchscreen Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four 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 Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| 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 | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera | Yes, with 3D Panoramic View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | 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 Corolla & Vios for sale
Corolla vs Vios FAQ
Is the Toyota Corolla or Toyota Vios better?
The Corolla is better for performance, longer-wheelbase cabin packaging and rear suspension design, with 137 hp, 172 Nm and double wishbones. The Vios is the more cost-conscious choice, at RM54,200 less with a 5.2 L/100 km claim and more listed active-safety functions.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Corolla costs RM144,800 and the Toyota Vios costs RM90,600, so the difference is RM54,200. Annual road tax is also higher for the Corolla: RM279 versus RM90.
Which has the better safety equipment?
The Corolla has seven airbags, one more than the Vios’ six, plus adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go. The Vios adds pre-collision braking, steering correction, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and pedal misoperation control.
