◆
VS
At a Glance
Power
102kW@5600
81 kW
Torque
189Nm@4400
152 Nm
Fuel
7.3
6.5 l/100km
Towing
1300
—
0-100 km/h
—
12.2 s
Engine
1987
1598 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 102kW@5600 while the Volkswagen Polo produces 81 kW. On fuel, the COROLLA returns 7.3 while the Polo uses 6.5 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R275 000 for the COROLLA and R406 400 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
102kW@5600
81 kW
Torque
189Nm@4400
152 Nm
0-100 kph
—
12.2 s
Top Speed
200
187 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1987
1598 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
UNLEADED
petrol
Transmission
AUTOMATIC
automatic
Number of Gears
4
6
Drive Wheels
FRONT
front
Full Time 4x4
✗
—
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
7.3
6.5 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
55
45 l
CO2 Emissions
179
155 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4545
4561 mm
Width
1760
1752 mm
Height
1470
1507 mm
Wheelbase
2600
2651 mm
Ground Clearance
150
179 mm
Kerb Weight
—
1253 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
VSC
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✗
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
7
2
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
—
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
—
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
—
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Adaptive Cruise Control
✗
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✗
—
Park Distance Rear
✗
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✗
—
Sunroof
✗
—
Heated Seats
✗
—
Electric Seat Adjustment
✗
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ 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
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Polo
Fuel Economy
Polo
Value
COROLLA
Practicality
COROLLA
Pros & Cons
TOYOTA COROLLA
Lower starting price (R275 000)
Higher fuel consumption (7.3)
No factory service plan
Volkswagen Polo
Better fuel economy (6.5 l/100km)
Factory service plan included
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the COROLLA or Polo?
The COROLLA uses 7.3 and the Polo uses 6.5 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Polo 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 102kW@5600 and 189Nm@4400 of torque while the Polo delivers 81 kW and 152 Nm of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the COROLLA and Polo?
The COROLLA starts from R275 000 and the Polo from R406 400. The COROLLA is cheaper by R131 400 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.