Verdict
The RM315,600 GR Yaris costs RM24,588 more than the RM291,012 Arteon, yet delivers 296 hp, 400 Nm and a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time from its 1.6-litre three-cylinder, six-speed manual AWD package. It is the more focused choice, with Torsen front and rear limited-slip differentials and a user-selectable torque split. The Arteon is the rational daily car: it has five doors, five seats, a 563-litre boot and a 2,837-mm wheelbase, against the Toyota’s two doors, four seats, 174 litres and 2,560 mm. It is also better equipped for rear passengers and long trips.
Pick the Toyota GR Yaris if you want the quicker 5.2-second sprint, 400 Nm torque and six-speed manual AWD hardware with Torsen limited-slip differentials.
Pick the Volkswagen Arteon if you need five seats, a 563-litre boot and more daily-use equipment while paying RM24,588 less.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota GR Yaris RM315,600; Volkswagen Arteon RM291,012.
- Performance: GR Yaris 296 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds; Arteon 276 hp, 350 Nm and 5.6 seconds.
- Practicality: GR Yaris has two doors, four seats and a 174-litre boot; Arteon has five doors, five seats and a 563-litre boot.
- Dimensions: GR Yaris is 3,995 mm long with a 2,560-mm wheelbase; Arteon is 4,862 mm long with a 2,837-mm wheelbase.
- Transmission: GR Yaris uses a six-speed manual; Arteon uses a seven-speed wet DSG automatic with paddle shifts.
- Running costs: GR Yaris road tax is RM207 yearly; Arteon road tax is RM372 yearly.
GR Yaris
- Quicker 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time with 296 hp and 400 Nm.
- Six-speed manual AWD with Torsen front and rear limited-slip differentials.
- 320 kg lighter at 1,280 kg and RM165 less yearly road tax.
- Costs RM24,588 more than the Arteon.
- Only two doors, four seats and a 174-litre boot versus five doors, five seats and 563 litres.
- Lacks the Arteon’s rear air-con, 360-degree camera and powered front seats.
Arteon
- Five-door, five-seat cabin with a 563-litre boot.
- Costs RM291,012, or RM24,588 less than the GR Yaris.
- Adds adaptive dampers, 14-way power front seats, rear air-con and a 360-degree camera.
- Slower to 100 km/h at 5.6 seconds versus 5.2 seconds.
- Produces 276 hp and 350 Nm, below the GR Yaris’ 296 hp and 400 Nm.
- Annual road tax is RM372, RM165 higher than the GR Yaris.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM315,600 | RM291,012✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM207✓ | RM372 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-Valve DOHC with Twin-Scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,618 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Horsepower | 296 hp at 6,200 rpm✓ | 276 hp at 5,100 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 3,250 rpm✓ | 350 Nm at 1,700 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 3 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 87 mm × 89 mm | 82.5 mm × 92.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 9.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6MT | 7-speed DSG |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Toyota | Volkswagen AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.2 seconds✓ | 5.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 164 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,995 mm | 4,862 mm |
| Width | 1,805 mm | 1,871 mm |
| Height | 1,455 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,560 mm | 2,837 mm |
| Weight | 1,280 kg | 1,600 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 174 litres | 563 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R18 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/40R18 | 245/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full-Size 19" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Montevideo Two-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Montevideo Two-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Torsen Front and Rear Limited-slip Differential, Performance-tuned Springs, Dampers and Steering, User-selectable Torque Split, Rev Matching | Adaptive Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 Airbags, Stability Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Pre-collision Braking | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | LED Projectors with Cornering Lights and Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 14-Way Power-adjustable with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB-C, 1 Front Qi Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (3 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" Touchscreen Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, AUX and 6 Speakers | Discover Pro 9.2" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 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 | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 3-year/45,000 km Free Service |
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 GR Yaris & Arteon for sale
GR Yaris vs Arteon FAQ
Is the Toyota GR Yaris or Volkswagen Arteon better?
The GR Yaris is better for outright acceleration and manual AWD hardware, reaching 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. The Arteon is better for passengers and luggage, with five seats, five doors and a 563-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota GR Yaris costs RM315,600 and the Volkswagen Arteon costs RM291,012. The GR Yaris is RM24,588 more expensive.
Which has more boot space, the Toyota GR Yaris or Volkswagen Arteon?
The Volkswagen Arteon has 563 litres of boot space, compared with 174 litres in the Toyota GR Yaris. That is a 389-litre advantage for the Arteon.
