Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the GAC GS3 is the more performance-led choice: its 177 hp, 270 Nm 1.5-litre turbo and seven-speed wet dual-clutch deliver a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 7.5 seconds. The Seres 3 changes the brief with a 161 hp, 300 Nm motor, 53.6 kWh battery and 340 km range. It also carries 525 litres of luggage against the GS3’s 341 litres, plus six airbags to the GAC’s two. The GS3 fights back with a much stronger active-safety list.
The GS3 Premium R CKD (RM126,800) sits above every 3 variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the GAC GS3 if you want the claimed 7.5-second 0-100 km/h pace, adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking in a locally assembled petrol SUV.
Pick the Seres 3 if you want electric driving, a 53.6 kWh battery, 525-litre boot and six airbags for less money.
Key differences
- Powertrain: GAC GS3 177 hp/270 Nm 1.5-litre turbo petrol; Seres 3 161 hp/300 Nm single electric motor.
- Performance/range: GAC GS3 claims 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds; Seres 3 has a 340 km EV range.
- Battery and charging: GAC GS3 has a 47-litre fuel tank; Seres 3 has a 53.6 kWh battery with 11 kW AC and 60 kW DC charging.
- Boot space: GAC GS3 341 litres; Seres 3 525 litres.
- Safety: GAC GS3 has 2 airbags plus autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist; Seres 3 has 6 airbags but no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
- Kerb weight: GAC GS3 1,370 kg; Seres 3 1,650 kg.
GS3
- 177 hp and 270 Nm turbo petrol with a claimed 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot information and adaptive cruise control
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Only 2 airbags versus the Seres 3’s 6
- 341-litre boot is 184 litres smaller than the Seres 3’s
- Manual air-con and no rear air-con vents
3
- 53.6 kWh battery, 340 km range and 11 kW AC/60 kW DC charging
- 525-litre boot and 6 airbags
- Automatic climate control, rear air-con vents, auto headlamps and auto wipers
- No autonomous braking, collision warning, lane-keeping assist or blind-spot information
- Passive cruise control instead of the GS3’s adaptive cruise control
- No steering tilt or telescopic adjustment
What the GS3 has over the 3
What the 3 has over the GS3
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Boot space favours the 3: 525 litres against 341.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM103,800 | RM95,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,060/mo | RM970/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM2,978 | RM2,718✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | — | RM1,401 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | — | RM7.00 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | — | RM21,193 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | — | 4.9 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | — | 65 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,497 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm | — |
| Torque | 270 Nm at 1,400 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 161 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 300 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 53.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 340 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 60 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,385 mm |
| Width | 1,850 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,600 mm | 1,650 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,655 mm |
| Weight | 1,370 kg | 1,650 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 341 litres | 525 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UC6 SUV | Chao Yang SU318a H/T |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Front Passenger) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 10.25" Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Manual Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 160,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used GS3 & 3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
GAC GS3
GS3 vs 3 FAQ
Is the GAC GS3 or Seres 3 better?
The GS3 is better for quicker claimed acceleration and active safety, with 177 hp, a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h claim, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist. The Seres 3 is better for EV driving, cargo space and passive crash protection, with 340 km range, a 525-litre boot and six airbags.
What is the price difference?
The GAC GS3 costs RM103,800 and the Seres 3 costs RM95,000, making the Seres 3 RM8,800 cheaper.
Which is more practical for carrying luggage and passengers?
The Seres 3 has the more useful cargo area at 525 litres, compared with 341 litres in the GS3. Both are five-seat B-segment SUVs with 60:40 split-folding rear seats, but the Seres also adds rear air-con vents and powered front seats.
How long does charging take?
The 3's 53.6 kWh battery takes about 4.9 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 65 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 60 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The GS3 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the 3 is fully imported (CBU) from China. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.