VS
At a Glance
Power
93kW@3600
85 kW
Torque
300Nm@2000
178 Nm
Fuel
5.3
6.3 l/100km
Towing
1300
—
0-100 km/h
10.3
11.5 s
Engine
1998
999 cc
Choosing between the TOYOTA COROLLA and the Volkswagen Polo is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The TOYOTA COROLLA delivers 93kW@3600 while the Volkswagen Polo produces 85 kW. On fuel, the COROLLA returns 5.3 while the Polo uses 6.3 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R264 000 for the COROLLA and R447 800 for the Polo. 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
93kW@3600
85 kW
Torque
300Nm@2000
178 Nm
0-100 kph
10.3
11.5 s
Top Speed
200
190 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1998
999 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
inline
Cylinders
4
3
Fuel Type
DIESEL
petrol
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
MANUAL
automatic
Number of Gears
6
6
Drive Wheels
FRONT
front
Full Time 4x4
✗
—
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
5.3
6.3 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
55
45 l
CO2 Emissions
141
144 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4540
4561 mm
Width
1760
1752 mm
Height
1470
1507 mm
Wheelbase
2600
2651 mm
Ground Clearance
150
179 mm
Kerb Weight
—
1267 Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
—
Load Volume
—
521 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1300
—
Load Capacity
450
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✗
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✗
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
7
6
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
—
Bluetooth
✗
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✗
—
Reversing Camera
—
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✗
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✗
—
Sunroof
✗
—
Heated Seats
✗
—
Electric Seat Adjustment
✗
—
Keyless Entry
SMART KEY ENTRY
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
36
3
Warranty Distance
100000
120000 Km
Service Plan
S
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
3
Service Plan Distance
—
45000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
TOYOTA COROLLA
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Polo
Fuel Economy
COROLLA
Value
COROLLA
Practicality
COROLLA
Pros & Cons
TOYOTA COROLLA
Better fuel economy (5.3)
Lower starting price (R264 000)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (10.3s)
No factory service plan
Volkswagen Polo
Factory service plan included
Higher fuel consumption (6.3 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the COROLLA or Polo?
The COROLLA uses 5.3 and the Polo uses 6.3 l/100km on the combined cycle. The COROLLA 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 COROLLA or Polo?
The COROLLA produces 93kW@3600 and 300Nm@2000 of torque while the Polo delivers 85 kW and 178 Nm of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the COROLLA and Polo?
The COROLLA starts from R264 000 and the Polo from R447 800. The COROLLA is cheaper by R183 800 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the COROLLA or Polo?
The COROLLA has a braked towing capacity of 1300 and the Polo can tow not specified. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the COROLLA or the Polo?
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.