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VS
At a Glance
Power
102kW@5600
70 kW
Torque
189Nm@4400
175 Nm
Fuel
7.3L/100km
5.4 l/100km
Towing
1300kg
—
0-100 km/h
-
10.8 s
Engine
1987cc
999 cc
Choosing between the Toyota Corolla and the Volkswagen Polo is one of the most common decisions car buyers in South Africa face. The Toyota Corolla delivers 102kW@5600 while the Volkswagen Polo produces 70 kW. On fuel, the Corolla returns 7.3L/100km while the Polo uses 5.4 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R275 000 for the Corolla and R420 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.
Specification
Toyota Corolla2.0 Exclusive VSC AT 2010 - From R275 000
Volkswagen Polo1.0 TSI LIFE 2026 - From R420 800
Performance
Power Output
102kW@5600
70 kW
Torque
189Nm@4400
175 Nm
0-100 kph
-
10.8 s
Top Speed
200km/h
187 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1987cc
999 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
inline
Cylinders
4
3
Fuel Type
UNLEADED
petrol
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
AUTOMATIC
manual
Number of Gears
4
5
Drive Wheels
FRONT
front
Full Time 4x4
✗
—
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
7.3L/100km
5.4 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
-
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
-
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
55L
40 l
CO2 Emissions
179g/km
124 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4545mm
4074 mm
Width
1760mm
1751-1964 mm
Height
1470mm
1451 mm
Wheelbase
2600mm
2552 mm
Ground Clearance
150mm
106 mm
Kerb Weight
-
1067 Kg
Doors
4
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
—
351 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1300kg
—
Load Capacity
450kg
575 lkg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
VSC
✓ 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
—
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
Optional
Adaptive Cruise Control
✗
Optional
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✗
Optional
Reversing Camera
—
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✗
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✗
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✗
Optional
Heated Seats
✗
—
Electric Seat Adjustment
✗
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
Optional
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
36
3
Warranty Distance
100000km
120000 Km
Service Plan
S
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
3yr
Service Plan Distance
—
45000km
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Toyota Corolla
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Corolla
Fuel Economy
Polo
Value
Corolla
Practicality
Corolla
Pros & Cons
Toyota Corolla
Lower starting price (R275 000)
Higher fuel consumption (7.3L/100km)
No factory service plan
Volkswagen Polo
Better fuel economy (5.4 l/100km)
Factory service plan included
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Corolla or Polo?
The Corolla uses 7.3L/100km and the Polo uses 5.4 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Polo is the more fuel-efficient choice. In real-world conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, actual figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Corolla or Polo?
The Corolla produces 102kW@5600 and 189Nm@4400 of torque while the Polo delivers 70 kW and 175 Nm of torque. The Corolla is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Corolla and Polo?
The Corolla starts from R275 000 and the Polo from R420 800. The Corolla is cheaper by R145 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 1300kg 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.
Also Consider