VS
At a Glance
Power
131 kW
210 kW
Torque
240 Nm
400 Nm
Fuel
6.2 l/100km
9.5 l/100km
Towing
—
—
0-100 km/h
8.3 s
—
Engine
1498 cc
1618 cc
Choosing between the Honda Civic and the Toyota GR Corolla is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Honda Civic delivers 131 kW while the Toyota GR Corolla produces 210 kW. On fuel, the Civic returns 6.2 l/100km while the GR Corolla uses 9.5 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R725 000 for the Civic and R1 020 800 for the GR Corolla. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
131 kW
210 kW
Torque
240 Nm
400 Nm
0-100 kph
8.3 s
—
Top Speed
200 Km/h
230 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1498 cc
1618 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
3
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
8
Drive Wheels
front
all
Full Time 4x4
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.2 l/100km
9.5 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
47 l
50 l
CO2 Emissions
144 g/km
215 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4677 mm
4408 mm
Width
1802 mm
1851 mm
Height
1415 mm
1479 mm
Wheelbase
2735 mm
2640 mm
Ground Clearance
127 mm
120 mm
Kerb Weight
1348 Kg
1500 Kg
Doors
4
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
495 l
213 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
7
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
—
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
—
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
3
Warranty Distance
200000 Km
100000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
5
9 services
Service Plan Distance
90000
90000
Service Intervals
15000
10000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Honda Civic
2 / 4 categories
Performance
GR Corolla
Fuel Economy
Civic
Value
Civic
Practicality
Tied
Pros & Cons
Honda Civic
Better fuel economy (6.2 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R725 000)
Less power than rival (131 kW vs 210 kW)
Toyota GR Corolla
More powerful engine (210 kW)
Higher fuel consumption (9.5 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Civic or GR Corolla?
The Civic uses 6.2 l/100km and the GR Corolla uses 9.5 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Civic is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Civic or GR Corolla?
The Civic produces 131 kW and 240 Nm of torque while the GR Corolla delivers 210 kW and 400 Nm of torque. The GR Corolla is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Civic and GR Corolla?
The Civic starts from R725 000 and the GR Corolla from R1 020 800. The Civic is cheaper by R295 800 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Civic or GR Corolla?
The Civic has a braked towing capacity of 0 Kg and the GR Corolla can tow 0 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Civic or the GR Corolla?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.