Verdict
At RM165,000, the Renault Zoe costs RM150,600 less than the RM315,600 Toyota GR Yaris, while its RM50 annual road tax undercuts the Toyota’s RM207. For a Malaysian buyer needing five doors, five seats and a useful 338-litre boot, the Zoe is the more rational small hatch, with a 52.0-kWh battery, 395-km EV range and 22-kW AC charging. The GR Yaris is a far more focused proposition: 296 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time, but only four seats and 174 litres of luggage space.
Pick the Renault Zoe if you want the lower-cost, five-door EV with 395 km of range and twice the GR Yaris’s boot capacity.
Pick the Toyota GR Yaris if you want 296 hp, all-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and dedicated performance chassis hardware.
Key differences
- Price: Renault Zoe RM165,000; Toyota GR Yaris RM315,600.
- Powertrain output: Zoe 108 hp and 225 Nm electric motor; GR Yaris 296 hp and 400 Nm 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine.
- Drive and transmission: Zoe front-wheel drive with single-ratio automatic; GR Yaris all-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
- Body practicality: Zoe has five doors, five seats and a 338-litre boot; GR Yaris has two doors, four seats and a 174-litre boot.
- Size and weight: Zoe is 4,087 mm long and 1,502 kg; GR Yaris is 3,995 mm long and 1,280 kg.
- Safety assistance: Zoe has steering-correction lane keeping; GR Yaris adds pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and a…
Zoe
- 395-km EV range from a 52.0-kWh battery.
- Five doors, five seats and a 338-litre boot.
- RM50 annual road tax and 22-kW AC charging.
- 108 hp and 225 Nm are well below the GR Yaris’s 296 hp and 400 Nm.
- No autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring or reversing camera.
- Front-wheel drive and torsion-beam rear suspension versus the GR Yaris’s all-wheel drive and double-wishbone rear setup.
GR Yaris
- 296 hp, 400 Nm and a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- All-wheel drive, Torsen front and rear limited-slip differentials and user-selectable torque split.
- Pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and a reversing camera.
- RM150,600 more expensive than the Zoe.
- Two doors, four seats and a 174-litre boot versus the Zoe’s five doors, five seats and 338 litres.
- RM207 annual road tax versus RM50 for the Zoe.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM165,000✓ | RM315,600 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM50✓ | RM207 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,618 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 296 hp |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 87 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 108 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 225 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 52.0 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 395 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22.0 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 50.0 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6MT |
| Gears | 1 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Renault | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 230 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,087 mm | 3,995 mm |
| Width | 1,787 mm | 1,805 mm |
| Height | 1,562 mm | 1,455 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,588 mm | 2,560 mm |
| Weight | 1,502 kg | 1,280 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 338 litres✓ | 174 litres |
| Front Tyre | 195/55R16 | 225/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/55R16 | 225/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental ContiEcoContact 5 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | France (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack And Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Torsen Front and Rear Limited-slip Differential, Performance-tuned Springs, Dampers and Steering, User-selectable Torque Split, Rev Matching |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat, two outer rear passenger seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | 7" Touchscreen Easy Link with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 6 Speakers | 7" Touchscreen Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, AUX and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 5 Years/100,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery and Electric Drivetrain | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Zoe & GR Yaris for sale
Zoe vs GR Yaris FAQ
Is the Renault Zoe or Toyota GR Yaris better?
The Zoe is better for five-seat practicality, EV driving and lower purchase and road-tax costs. The GR Yaris is better for outright performance, with 296 hp, all-wheel drive and a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota GR Yaris costs RM315,600 and the Renault Zoe costs RM165,000, so the GR Yaris carries a RM150,600 premium.
Which car has the larger boot and more seats?
The Renault Zoe does. It has five seats and a 338-litre boot, compared with four seats and a 174-litre boot in the Toyota GR Yaris.
