Skoda Octavia vs Toyota Corolla: Mk4 against E210
Updated Report an error By Sarah Whitmore
Skoda · 2019–present
Octavia Mk4
- Power
- 110 kW150 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 8.2 s
- Top speed
- 230 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,338 kg
Toyota · 2018–present
Corolla E210
- Power
- 103 kW140 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 9.2 s
- Top speed
- 180 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,430 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: Octavia Mk4 2 Corolla E210 4
- Family Octavia Mk4 Boot: 600 l vs 361 l
- City Corolla E210 Length: 4,370 mm vs 4,689 mm; Width: 1,790 mm vs 1,829 mm
- Long trips Corolla E210 Range: 977 km vs 804 km (estimated)
- Performance Octavia Mk4 Power per tonne: 82 kW/t vs 72 kW/t; 0–100 km/h: 8.2 s vs 9.2 s
- Running costs Corolla E210 Fuel per year: €1,160 vs €1,470 (estimated)
- Off-road Corolla E210 Drive and body: Front-wheel drive · Hatchback vs Front-wheel drive · Liftback
Verdict Opinion
The Octavia wins on space and choice. Its hatchback has a 600-litre boot and the Combi 640 litres, and buyers can pick a manual or a DSG, petrol or diesel, front- or all-wheel drive and the 195 kW RS. For long motorway distances the 2.0 TDI remains an option that Toyota no longer offers.
The Corolla wins on simplicity. Every version is a self-charging hybrid with an e-CVT, the 1.8 with 103 kW is enough for most drivers, and the shorter hatchback is easier to park. Its 2019 Euro NCAP adult occupant score was also the higher of the two.
- Sarah Whitmore
The Skoda Octavia and the Toyota Corolla are two of Europe's best-known family cars, and they answer the same brief in very different ways. The fourth-generation Octavia was revealed in Prague on 11 November 2019 and updated on 14 February 2024; the facelifted car is built in Kvasiny in the Czech Republic. The twelfth-generation Corolla (E210) sits on Toyota's TNGA GA-C platform. Its European hatchback and Touring Sports estate have been built at Burnaston in the United Kingdom since January 2019, and the saloon comes from Turkey.
In short: the Octavia offers petrol, mild-hybrid and diesel engines, manual or DSG gearboxes and a much larger boot. Every European Corolla now sold is a full hybrid with an e-CVT, which makes it the simpler and more economical car in town traffic. Both ranges are in our catalogue: Skoda Octavia and Toyota Corolla.
Skoda Octavia vs Toyota Corolla: engines, space and safety
Powertrains: choice against one idea
The updated Octavia has two petrol outputs from its 1.5 TSI: 85 kW (115 PS) with 220 Nm and 110 kW (150 PS) with 250 Nm. With the seven-speed DSG, both become mild hybrids with a 48-volt lithium-ion battery and a belt-driven starter-generator that lets the car coast with the engine off. Both 1.5 TSI engines also switch off two cylinders under light load. The 2.0 TDI diesel comes with 85 kW (115 PS) and 300 Nm or 110 kW (150 PS) and 360 Nm, and a 150 kW (204 PS) 2.0 TSI with all-wheel drive followed in 2025.
The Corolla is a hybrid in every European version. The 1.8-litre 2ZR-FXE system, updated with Toyota's fifth-generation hybrid technology in 2023, delivers 103 kW (140 PS). The 2.0-litre M20A-FXS hybrid is rated at 144 kW (196 PS) on Wikipedia's figures; for the 2026 model year Toyota Europe quotes a maximum of 178 DIN hp. There is no diesel, no manual gearbox and no plug-in hybrid.
Performance in the core versions
Skoda quotes 8.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h for the 110 kW Octavia hatchback, with a top speed of 229 km/h, and 10.4 seconds for the 85 kW manual. The 110 kW diesel also reaches 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and 228 km/h.
Size and boot
The Octavia is the bigger car. Its hatchback measures 4,698 mm on a 2,686 mm wheelbase, against 4,370 mm for the Corolla hatchback. The Octavia's boot holds 600 litres with the rear seats up and 1,555 litres folded; the Combi estate holds 640 and 1,700 litres on the same length. The Corolla Touring Sports grows to 4,650 mm on a 2,700 mm wheelbase, and the saloon to 4,630 mm, so the estate Corolla is close to the Octavia hatchback in length.
- Octavia hatchback: 4,698 mm long, 600–1,555 litres, 45-litre tank
- Octavia Combi: 4,698 mm long, 640–1,700 litres
- Corolla hatchback: 4,370 mm long
- Corolla Touring Sports: 4,650 mm long, 2,700 mm wheelbase
Sporty versions: RS against GR Sport
The Octavia RS uses a 2.0 TSI with 195 kW (265 PS) and 370 Nm, front-wheel drive and a DSG. Skoda quotes 6.4 seconds to 100 km/h for the hatchback, 6.5 seconds for the Combi RS and 250 km/h for both. The European Corolla has no equivalent: GR Sport is a styling and chassis trim on the 2.0 hybrid. The 300-PS-class GR Corolla, introduced on 31 March 2022, was built mainly for North America.
Euro NCAP
Both earned five stars in 2019. The Corolla hatchback scored 95% for adult occupants, 84% for children, 86% for vulnerable road users and 77% for safety assist. The Octavia Combi scored 92%, 88%, 73% and 79%. Euro NCAP retested the Octavia Combi in 2025: 85% for adults, 82% for children, 81% for vulnerable road users and 80% for safety assist.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | Octavia Mk4 | Corolla E210 |
|---|---|---|
| PI | B · 533 | C · 488 |
| Power | 44 | 40 |
| Grip | 39 | 38 |
| Handling | 70 | 70 |
| Top speed | 50 | 31 |
| Launch | 41 | 36 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time - the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 Octavia Mk4Octavia Mk4 · 1.5 TSI (150 PS) · petrol · 110 kW (150 PS) 15.94 sat 141 km/h
- 2 Corolla E210Corolla E210 · 1.8 Hybrid (2023 update) · 103 kW (140 PS) 16.66 sat 131 km/h · +0.72 s
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| Octavia Mk4 | Corolla E210 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,689 mm184.6 in † | 4,370 mm172.0 in −319 mm −12.6 in −6.8% |
| Width | 1,829 mm72.0 in † | 1,790 mm70.5 in −39 mm −1.5 in −2.1% |
| Height | 1,470 mm57.9 in † | 1,435 mm56.5 in † −35 mm −1.4 in −2.4% |
| Wheelbase | 2,686 mm105.7 in † | 2,640 mm103.9 in † −46 mm −1.8 in −1.7% |
| Kerb weight | 1,338 kg2,950 lb | 1,430 kg3,153 lb +92 kg +203 lb +6.9% |
| Boot | 600 l21.2 cu ft | 361 l12.7 cu ft −239 l −8.4 cu ft −39.8% |
| Fuel tank | 45 l11.9 gal US | 43 l11.4 gal US −2 l −0.5 gal US −4.4% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Yes | Yes |
Difference vs Octavia Mk4 (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors. † from another version of this generation.
Full specifications
| Skoda Octavia | Toyota Corolla | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | Octavia Mk4 · 1.5 TSI (150 PS) · petrol · 110 kW (150 PS) | Corolla E210 · 1.8 Hybrid (2023 update) · 103 kW (140 PS) |
| Production years | 2019–present | 2018–present |
| Body | Liftback | Hatchback |
| Country | Czech Republic | Japan |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 110 kW (150 PS) 148 hp Better | 103 kW (140 PS) 138 hp |
| Power, all versions | 44–195 kW (60–265 PS) 59–261 hp | 73–144 kW (99–196 PS) 98–193 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 250 Nm 184 lb-ft | No data |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | 8.2 s Better | 9.2 s |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | 230 km/h 143 mph Better | 180 km/h 112 mph |
| Power per tonne | 82 kW/t 100 hp/ton calculated Better | 72 kW/t 88 hp/ton calculated |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Hybrid |
| Engine | 1,500 cc · 4 cyl 1.5 l | No data |
| Engine code | No data | 2ZR-FXE |
| Gearbox | No data | CVT |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,689 mm 184.6 in † | 4,370 mm 172.0 in |
| Width | 1,829 mm 72.0 in † | 1,790 mm 70.5 in |
| Height | 1,470 mm 57.9 in † | 1,435 mm 56.5 in † |
| Wheelbase | 2,686 mm 105.7 in † | 2,640 mm 103.9 in † |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 1,338 kg 2,950 lb Better | 1,430 kg 3,153 lb |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 600 l 21.2 cu ft Better | 361 l 12.7 cu ft |
| Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. | 45 l 11.9 gal US Better | 43 l 11.4 gal US |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 5.6 l/100 km 42.0 mpg US | 4.4 l/100 km 53.5 mpg US Better |
| CO₂ | 127 g/km | 100 g/km Better |
| Fuel cost per year | €1,470/year estimated | €1,160/year estimated Better |
| Range on a full tank | 804 km 500 mi estimated | 977 km 607 mi estimated Better |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2025) | ★★★★★ (2019) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (1): Drive.
Better marks the stronger figure - only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.75/l petrol. † from another version of this generation.
In plain words
Skoda Octavia is quicker: 0–100 km/h in 8.2 s against 9.2 s for Toyota Corolla. Skoda Octavia is 319 mm longer than Toyota Corolla (4,689 mm vs 4,370 mm). Skoda Octavia is lighter by 92 kg (1,338 kg vs 1,430 kg). Skoda Octavia has the bigger boot: 600 l against 361 l. At 15,000 km a year, fuel would cost about €1,470 (Skoda Octavia), €1,160 (Toyota Corolla) (estimated). Toyota Corolla is the older design (from 1966); Skoda Octavia arrived in 1996. On the catalog figures, the Skoda Octavia is the pick for family and performance; the Toyota Corolla is the pick for city, long trips, running costs and off-road.
Which one to choose
Choose the Skoda Octavia if you need a family-sized boot, want a manual gearbox or a diesel for high mileage, or are looking at the RS as a practical fast car.
Choose the Toyota Corolla if most of your driving is urban and suburban, you want a hybrid without plugging in, and a compact hatchback or a Touring Sports estate is big enough.
Each car also meets the Volkswagen Golf: see Skoda Octavia vs Volkswagen Golf and Toyota Corolla vs Volkswagen Golf.
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, the Octavia or the Corolla?
The Octavia. The hatchback is 4,698 mm long with a 600-litre boot; the Corolla hatchback is 4,370 mm long. Even the Corolla Touring Sports estate, at 4,650 mm, is shorter than the Octavia hatchback.
Is there a hybrid Skoda Octavia?
Yes, but only a mild hybrid. The 1.5 TSI with the seven-speed DSG has a 48-volt system with a lithium-ion battery that supports the engine and allows coasting with the engine off. The Corolla is a full hybrid.
Can you buy a Corolla with a manual gearbox in Europe?
Not in the current range. The European Corolla is sold with 1.8 and 2.0 hybrid powertrains, both with an e-CVT. The Octavia still offers a six-speed manual with the 1.5 TSI and the 85 kW diesel.
Which is safer according to Euro NCAP?
Both received five stars in 2019. The Corolla scored 95% for adult occupants and the Octavia Combi 92%; the Octavia scored higher for child occupants, 88% against 84%.
What is the fastest version of each?
The Octavia RS with 195 kW (265 PS), 6.4 seconds to 100 km/h and 250 km/h. In Europe the most powerful Corolla is the 2.0 hybrid, 144 kW (196 PS) according to Wikipedia.