Verdict
At RM173,800 against RM175,000, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is the cheaper conventional choice, with a 430-litre boot, dual-zone air-con and a 230 km/h top speed. The smart #3 changes the brief: its 268 hp, 343 Nm rear motor reaches 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, a full 2.8 seconds ahead of the BMW’s 156 hp, 230 Nm petrol turbo. Its 49 kWh battery claims 325 km and accepts 22 kW AC or 150 kW DC charging. For Malaysian city use, the smart’s adaptive cruise, 360-degree camera and front-and-rear autonomous braking are decisive; budget RM260 annual road tax versus RM90.
Pick the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe if you need the larger 430-litre boot, dual-zone climate control and petrol refuelling convenience.
Pick the smart #3 if you can charge regularly and want far stronger acceleration, a longer 2,785 mm wheelbase and more active safety assistance.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe RM173,800; smart #3 RM175,000.
- Power and torque: BMW 156 hp and 230 Nm; smart #3 motor 268 hp and 343 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 8.6 seconds; smart #3 5.8 seconds.
- Top speed: BMW 230 km/h; smart #3 180 km/h.
- Boot space: BMW 430 litres; smart #3 370 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW RM90; smart #3 RM260.
2 Series Gran Coupe
- 430-litre boot, 60 litres larger
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 230 km/h top speed
- 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the smart #3 by 2.8 seconds
- No blind-spot system, collision warning or autonomous braking
- Passive rather than adaptive cruise control
#3
- 268 hp and 343 Nm rear motor
- 325 km EV range with 150 kW DC charging
- Adaptive cruise, 360-degree camera and auto parking
- 370-litre boot is 60 litres smaller
- RM260 annual road tax is RM170 higher
- Single-zone rather than dual-zone automatic climate control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM173,800✓ | RM175,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing | — |
| Capacity | 1,499 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 156 hp | — |
| Torque | 230 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 268 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 343 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 49 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 325 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Dual-clutch | — |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds | 5.8 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,546 mm | 4,400 mm |
| Width | 2,070 mm | 1,844 mm |
| Height | 1,445 mm | 1,556 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,785 mm |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 430 litres✓ | 370 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Y-spoke Two-tone Alloys | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Y-spoke Two-tone Alloys | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver-side Memory Function | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Sunshade for Glass Roof |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 9 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Yes, Powered |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM260 |
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 2 Series Gran Coupe & #3 for sale
2 Series Gran Coupe vs #3 FAQ
Is the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe or smart #3 better?
The smart #3 is better for performance, active safety and EV driving, with 268 hp, 5.8-second acceleration and 150 kW DC charging. Choose the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe for its 430-litre boot, dual-zone air-con and petrol convenience.
What is the price difference?
The smart #3 costs RM1,200 more than the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: RM175,000 versus RM173,800. Its annual road tax is also higher, at RM260 versus RM90.
Which one is quicker?
The smart #3 is substantially quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe takes 8.6 seconds, although its 230 km/h top speed is 50 km/h higher than the smart’s 180 km/h.