Toyota GR Corolla vs Toyota GR Yaris

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Toyota GR Corolla

1.6T Circuit MT Petrol Manual

ZAR 876,100 ex-showroom

⚡ 224 kW 🔧 390 Nm ⛽ 11.2 km/l

Toyota GR Yaris

1.6T GR-Four Rally 6MT Petrol Manual

ZAR 897,400 ex-showroom

⚡ 200 kW 🔧 370 Nm ⛽ 11.5 km/l

＋ Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance GR Corolla

⛽ Fuel Economy Tie

🛡 Safety GR Corolla

📦 Practicality Tie

🔑 Ownership Tie

GR Corolla starts ZAR 897400 cheaper GR Corolla from ZAR 816,500 · GR Yaris from ZAR 897,400

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
Engine Power	224	200
Torque	390	370
Engine Size	1618	1618
Claimed Mileage	11.2	11.5
Ground Clearance	155	180
Boot Space	217	174
Airbags	8	6
Kerb Weight	1370	1280
Seating Capacity	Available	Available
Warranty	3	3

= leads in this spec

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

🏆 Winner

GR Corolla

/ 100

pts

GR Yaris

/ 100

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

The Bottom Line

Both GR Corolla and GR Yaris are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance GR Corolla +2 pts

Efficiency Equal

Safety GR Corolla +2 pts

Practicality Equal

Ownership Equal

Score Breakdown by Category

🏆 Overall Winner

GR Corolla

Performance 19/20

Efficiency 0/20

Safety 20/20

Practicality 9/20

Ownership 12/20

GR Yaris

Performance 17/20

Efficiency 0/20

Safety 18/20

Practicality 9/20

Ownership 12/20

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

GR Corolla

Strengths

More powerful engine output
Stronger safety package

Weak Spots

No obvious weak spots to flag.

Best suited to: Highway Driving

GR Yaris

Strengths

Nothing stands out clearly here.

Weak Spots

Less powerful engine setup
Less comprehensive safety features

Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

GR Corolla

Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment

GR Yaris

Buyers looking for a balanced all-round vehicle

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
Ground Clearance	155	180
Wheelbase	2640	2560
Length	4360	3995
Width	1850	1805
Height	1455	1455
Kerb Weight	1370	1280
Gross Vehicle Weight	1770	1620
Seating Capacity	5	4
Boot Space	217	174
Towing Capacity	Not Available	Not Available
Turning Radius	5.3	5.2
Number of Doors	5	5
Boot Space Seats Folded	1500	1500
Front Track Width	1550	1550
Rear Track Width	1540	1540
Load Bed Length	Available	Available
Load Bed Width	Available	Available
Front Legroom	Available	Available
Rear Legroom	Available	Available
Front Headroom	Available	Available
Rear Headroom	Available	Available
Front Shoulder Room	Available	Available
Rear Shoulder Room	Available	Available
Max Payload	Available	Available
Boot Volume	Available	Available
Doors	Available	Available
Seats	Available	Available
Front Overhang	Available	Available
Fuel Tank Capacity	Available	Available
Rear Overhang	Available	Available

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
Engine	G16E-GTS	G16E-GTS
Engine Type	Inline 3 Turbocharged	Inline 3 Turbocharged
Displacement	1618	1618
Cylinders	3	3
Compression Ratio	9.8:1	9.8:1
Power	224	200
Torque	390	370
Fuel System	Direct Injection	Direct Injection
Turbocharger	Yes	Yes
Top Speed	250	230
0-100 km/h	4.6	5.5
Power @ RPM	6500 rpm	6500 rpm
Torque @ RPM	3000 rpm	3000 rpm
Valves per Cylinder	12	12
Cylinder Layout	Inline 4 (I4)	Inline 4 (I4)
Engine Aspiration	Turbocharged	Turbocharged
Engine Code	Standard	Standard
Cylinder Bore	82.0	82.0
Piston Stroke	92.0	92.0
Fuel Grade Required	Petrol	Petrol
Engine Position	Available	Available
Engine Oil Capacity	Available	Available
Power	150	150
Variable Valve Timing	Available	Available
Maximum Engine RPM	Available	Available
Engine Type Config	Available	Available
0–100 km/h	Available	Available
Battery Capacity	Available	Available
Charging Port	Available	Available
AC Charging Time	Available	Available
Engine Displacement	Available	Available
EV Range	Available	Available

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
Transmission	6-Speed Manual	6-Speed Manual
Drive Type	AWD	AWD
Drivetrain Layout	AWD	AWD
LSD Available	Front and Rear Torsen LSD	Front Torsen LSD
Differential Lock	Rear Torsen LSD	Electronic Lock
Transfer Case	Not Available	Not Available
Paddle Shifters	No	No
Number of Gears	6	6
Transmission	Automatic CVT	Automatic CVT
Clutch Type	Single Plate Diaphragm	Single Plate Diaphragm
Final Drive Ratio	3.909:1	3.909:1
Transmission Type	Manual	Manual
Steering Turns Lock to Lock	Available	Available
Drivetrain	Available	Available

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
Claimed Mileage	11.2	11.5
City Mileage	13.0	13.5
Highway Mileage	10.0	10.5
Fuel Tank Capacity	50	50
Emission Standard	Euro 6	Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity	Available	Available
Auto Start Stop	Available	Available
Average Fuel Consumption	Available	Available
Claimed Fuel Consumption	Available	Available
Distance To Empty	Available	Available
Low Fuel Warning	Available	Available
Fuel Efficiency	Available	Available
Real-world Mileage	Available	Available

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
CO2 Emissions	222	204
Start Stop System	Standard	Standard
Hybrid System Type	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Idle CO2 Output	2.0	2.0
Fuel Octane Requirement	Unleaded 95 RON	Unleaded 95 RON
Noise Level	Available	Available
Particulate Filter	Available	Available
Euro Emission Standard	Available	Available
Green NCAP Rating	Available	Available
Fuel Evaporation Control	Available	Available

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
Airbags	8	6
ABS	Standard	Standard
Electronic Stability Control	Standard	Standard
Traction Control	Standard	Standard
Child Safety Lock	Standard	Standard
ISOFIX Mounts	Standard	Standard
Brake Assist	Standard	Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Standard	Standard
Engine Immobiliser	Standard	Standard
Hill Descent Control	Not Available	Not Available
Hill Start Assist	Standard	Standard
Alarm System	Standard	Standard
Central Locking	Standard	Standard
Front Parking Sensors	Yes	Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Yes	Yes
Side Impact Beams	Available	Available
Seatbelt Warning All Seats	Available	Available
Speed Alert System	Available	Available
Pedestrian Detection AEB	Available	Available
Safety Rating	Available	Available
Whiplash Protection	Available	Available
Lane Change Warning	Available	Available
AEB	Available	Available
BA	Available	Available
Brake Override System	Available	Available
Curtain Airbags	Available	Available
Driver Airbag	Available	Available
EBD	Available	Available
Engine Immobiliser	Available	Available
Fatigue Detection	Available	Available
Hill Hold	Available	Available
Passenger Airbag	Available	Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Available	Available
Side Airbags	Available	Available
TCS	Available	Available
Blind Spot Monitoring	Available	Available
Knee Airbag	Available	Available

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
Cruise Control	Standard	Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control	Standard	Not Available
Lane Keep Assist	Standard	Standard
Lane Departure Warning	Standard	Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring	Standard	Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Standard	Standard
Parking Sensors	Rear	Rear
Rear View Camera	Standard	Standard
360 Degree Camera	Not Available	Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking	Standard	Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition	Standard	Standard
Rear Parking Sensors	Yes	Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert	Yes	Yes
Auto Highbeam	Available	Available
Auto Lights	Available	Available
Auto Wipers	Available	Available
Drive Modes	Available	Available
Eco Mode	Available	Available
EV Mode	Available	Available
Reverse Camera	Available	Available
Sport Mode	Available	Available
Adaptive Cruise Control	Available	Available
Park Assist	Available	Available

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
Seat Material	Morizo Edition Suede / Alcantara	Suede / Fabric Sport
Seat Adjustment	Manual 8-Way	Manual
Heated Seats	Standard	Standard
Ventilated Seats	Standard	Not Available
Steering Type	Rack and Pinion	Rack and Pinion
Steering Adjustment	Tilt and Telescopic	Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting	Standard	Not Available
Folding Rear Seats	Standard	Standard
Front Armrest	Standard	Standard
Cup Holders	4	4
Interior Colour Options	Black	Black
Leather Seats	Available	Available
Rear Armrest	Available	Available
Rear AC Vents	Available	Available
Rear USB Ports	Available	Available
Steering Wheel Material	Available	Available
Instrument Cluster Type	Available	Available
Driver Lumbar Support	Available	Available
Door Map Pockets	Available	Available
60 40 Split Seat	Available	Available
Adjustable Driver Seat	Available	Available
Adjustable Front Seat	Available	Available
Cooled Seats	Available	Available
Driver Seat Adjustment	Available	Available
Fabric Seats	Available	Available
Front Headrest	Available	Available
Memory Seats	Available	Available
Passenger Seat Adjustment	Available	Available
Rear Headrest	Available	Available

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
Climate Control	Dual-Zone Auto AC	Dual-Zone Auto AC
Power Windows	All Doors	All Doors
Keyless Entry	Standard	Standard
Push Button Start	Standard	Standard
Wireless Charging	Standard	Not Available
Sunroof	Not Available	Not Available
Electric Tailgate	Not Available	Not Available
Automatic Headlamps	Standard	Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers	Standard	Standard
Stabilizer Bar	Front and Rear	Front and Rear
Engine Warranty	5 Years / 150,000 km	5 Years / 150,000 km
Service Plan	3 Years / 45,000 km	3 Years / 45,000 km
Fuel Consumption Combined	9.5	8.7
Power Mirrors	Power Adjustment	Power Adjustment
Payload Capacity	500	500
Auto Dimming Mirror	Available	Available
Rear Window Defroster	Available	Available
Electric Mirror Folding	Available	Available
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	Available	Available
Follow Me Home Headlamps	Available	Available
12V Accessory Socket	Available	Available
Speed Limiter	Available	Available
AC Type	Available	Available
Adaptive Dampers	Available	Available
Aero Kit	Available	Available
Auto Dimming Irvm	Available	Available
Boot Opener	Available	Available
Chrome Exterior Highlights	Available	Available
Chrome Grille	Available	Available
Climate Zones	Available	Available
Door Ajar Warning	Available	Available
Drag Coefficient	Available	Available
Driver Display	Available	Available
Electric Folding Mirrors	Available	Available
Engine Check Warning	Available	Available
Engine Start Button Illumination	Available	Available
Engine Start Stop	Available	Available
Engine Start Stop Button	Available	Available
Exhaust Finish	Available	Available
Exhaust Type	Available	Available
Front Armrest	Available	Available
Front Power Outlet	150	150
Fuel Lid Opener	Available	Available
Gear Shift Type	Available	Available
Glovebox Cooling	Available	Available
Ground Clearance Unladen	Available	Available
Headlamp Height Adjust	Available	Available
Headlamp Washer	Available	Available
Headrest Adjustable	Available	Available
Heads Up Display	Available	Available
Hill Start Assist	Available	Available
Impact Sensing Door Unlock	Available	Available
Intercooler	Available	Available
Launch Control	Available	Available
Multi Function Steering	Available	Available
Panoramic Roof	Available	Available
Performance Data Logger	Available	Available
Push Button Start	Available	Available
Rear Defogger	Available	Available
Rear Reading Lamps	Available	Available
Rear Seat Split	Available	Available
Rear Wing	Available	Available
Remote Engine Start	Available	Available
Rev Matching	Available	Available
Ride Mode Selection	Available	Available
Roof Antenna	Available	Available
Seat Type	Available	Available
Seatbelt Pre Tensioner	Available	Available
Seatbelt Reminder	Available	Available
Service Reminder	Available	Available
Side Steps	Available	Available
Skid Plates	Available	Available
Spare Wheel	Available	Available
Speed Alert System	Available	Available
Stability Control	Available	Available
Steering Mounted Controls	Available	Available
Steering Response	Available	Available
Tachometer	Available	Available
Tail Lamps	Available	Available
Telescopic Steering	Available	Available
Tilt Steering	Available	Available
Trip Computer	Available	Available
Tyre Repair Kit	Available	Available
Valves Per Cylinder	Available	Available
Vanity Mirror	Available	Available
Voice Command	Available	Available
Voice Command Support	Available	Available

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
Infotainment Screen	8-inch Touchscreen	8-inch Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay	Standard	Standard
Android Auto	Standard	Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity	Standard	Standard
Number of Speakers	6	6
Navigation System	Standard	Standard
Digital Instrument Cluster	Standard	Standard
USB Ports	2	2
FM Radio	Yes	Yes
AUX Input	Yes	Yes
Wireless Apple CarPlay	Available	Available
Steering Wheel Audio Controls	Available	Available
Voice Recognition	Available	Available
Infotainment Screen Size	Available	Available
Wi-Fi Hotspot	Available	Available
Audio Controls On Steering	Available	Available
Infotainment Display	Available	Available
Rear Usb	Available	Available
Premium Audio	Available	Available

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
LED Headlamps	Standard	Standard
Daytime Running Lamps	Standard	Standard
Fog Lamps	Standard	Standard
Alloy Wheel Design	Standard	Standard
Roof Rails	Not Available	Not Available
Chrome Exterior Finish	Not Available	Not Available
Rear Spoiler	Standard	Standard
Door Handle Finish	Chrome Finish	Chrome Finish
Exterior Colour Options	Pearl White	Pearl White
Body Cladding	Available	Available
Roof Type	Available	Available
Wing Mirror Type	Available	Available
Rear Wiper	Available	Available
Body Type	Available	Available
DRL	Available	Available
Fog Lights	Available	Available
Front Fog Lights	Available	Available
Led Headlights	Available	Available
Led Taillights	Available	Available
Rear Fog Lights	Available	Available

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
Tyre Size	235/40 R18	225/40 R18
Wheel Type	Forged Alloy	Forged Alloy
Front Brake Type	Disc	Disc
Rear Brake Type	Disc	Disc
Spare Wheel Type	Not Available	Not Available
Front Brake Disc Diameter	300	300
Rear Brake Drum Diameter	Available	Available
Parking Brake Type	Available	Available
Tyre Load Index	Available	Available
Tyre Speed Rating	Available	Available
Wheel Rim Size	Available	Available
Brake Type Front	Available	Available
Brake Type Rear	Available	Available
Spare Tyre	Available	Available
Tyre Type	Available	Available
Front Tyre Width	Available	Available
Rear Tyre Width	Available	Available
Wheel Diameter	Available	Available

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
Front Suspension	MacPherson Strut	MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension	Double Wishbone	Double Wishbone
Chassis Type	Reinforced Monocoque	Reinforced Monocoque
Power Steering	Electric	Electric
Front Spring Type	Coil Spring	Coil Spring
Front Anti-Roll Bar	Yes	Yes
Steering Column	Available	Available
Rear Spring Type	Available	Available
Rear Anti-Roll Bar	Available	Available
Shock Absorber Type	Available	Available

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
Service Interval	10000 km / 12 months	10000 km / 12 months
Approx Service Cost	High	High
Battery Warranty	24 Months	24 Months
First Service At	5000	5000
Maintenance Plan	Available	Available
Engine Oil Change Interval	Available	Available
Service Plan Duration	Available	Available
Service Plan Distance	Available	Available
Anti-Rust Treatment	Available	Available
Alternator	Available	Available
Battery Type	Available	Available
Gear Shift Indicator	Available	Available

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
Warranty Years	3	3
Warranty Kilometers	100000	100000
Roadside Assistance	3 Years	3 Years
Basic Warranty	3 Years / 100,000 km	3 Years / 100,000 km
Anti-Corrosion Warranty	5 Years / Unlimited km	5 Years / Unlimited km

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
Real-world City Mileage Min	10	10
Real-world City Mileage Max	13	13
Real-world Highway Mileage Min	7.5	7.5
Real-world Highway Mileage Max	9.5	9.5
Owner Review Count	4	4

Spec	GR Corolla	GR Yaris
4WD System Type	Part-time 4WD	Part-time 4WD
Approach Angle	25	25
Departure Angle	23	23
Wading Depth	600	600
Terrain Modes	Available	Available
Locking Differential	Available	Available
Underbody Protection	Available	Available
Ramp Breakover Angle	Available	Available
Recovery Hooks	Available	Available
Hill Descent Control	Available	Available
Ramp-over Angle	Available	Available

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Toyota GR Corolla wins with 60 pts vs 56 pts for GR Yaris

In structured scoring, GR Corolla emerges as the stronger overall package. However, GR Yaris may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the GR Corolla edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: GR Corolla 0 vs GR Yaris 0. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: GR Corolla 20, GR Yaris 18. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: GR Corolla 12, GR Yaris 12. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: GR Corolla 9, GR Yaris 9. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: GR Corolla 19, GR Yaris 17. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The GR Corolla edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The GR Corolla scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between GR Corolla and GR Yaris in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: GR Corolla scores 19 vs 17.

Efficiency: GR Corolla scores 0 vs 0.

Safety: GR Corolla scores 20 vs 18.

Practicality: GR Corolla scores 9 vs 9.

Ownership: GR Corolla scores 12 vs 12.

Final structured scoring gives GR Corolla the advantage in this comparison.

Toyota GR Corolla vs Toyota GR Yaris

Toyota GR Corolla

Toyota GR Yaris

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Key Specs Side by Side

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

GR Corolla

GR Yaris

The Bottom Line

Where They Actually Differ

Score Breakdown by Category

GR Corolla

GR Yaris

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

GR Corolla

GR Yaris

Which One's Right for You?

GR Corolla

GR Yaris

Full Specs, Side by Side

So, Which One Should You Buy?

Other Comparisons Worth Checking

Buyers Also Looked At These

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

In Depth — Breaking It All Down