Verdict
The RM185,900 Honda Accord is RM36,900 dearer than the RM149,000 Tesla Model 3, yet the Tesla brings 279 hp, 420 Nm and a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time against the Honda’s 198 hp, 260 Nm and nine seconds. Its 62.5-kWh battery is rated for 534 km and DC charging reaches 170 kW. The Accord counters with locally assembled CKD status, RM90 annual road tax versus RM280, a 570-litre boot and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. The Model 3’s AEB, steering correction and adaptive cruise control give it a meaningful safety and driver-assistance edge.
Pick the Honda Accord if you want CKD assembly, lower RM90 annual road tax, a 56-litre petrol tank and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you want the lower purchase price, 534-km EV range, 6.2-second acceleration and AEB with steering correction.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Accord RM185,900; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Power and torque: Honda Accord 198 hp and 260 Nm; Tesla Model 3 279 hp and 420 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Accord 9.0 seconds; Tesla Model 3 6.2 seconds.
- Running energy: Honda Accord 6.3 L/100 km and 56-litre tank; Tesla Model 3 62.5-kWh battery and 534-km range.
- Road tax: Honda Accord RM90 per year; Tesla Model 3 RM280 per year.
- Boot space: Honda Accord 570 litres; Tesla Model 3 594 litres.
Accord
- RM90 annual road tax and 6.3 L/100 km rated economy.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.
- Front and rear parking sensors, plus rear-door sun shades.
- Slower 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.2 seconds.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping steering correction.
- Costs RM36,900 more despite 198 hp and 260 Nm.
Model 3
- 279 hp, 420 Nm and 6.2-second 0-100 km/h performance.
- 534-km rated range, 11-kW AC and 170-kW DC charging.
- AEB, collision warning, steering correction and adaptive cruise control.
- RM280 annual road tax versus the Accord’s RM90.
- Four-year/80,000-km vehicle warranty versus five years with unlimited mileage.
- No front or rear parking sensors, where the Accord has four at each end.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM185,900 | RM149,000✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM280 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 198 hp | — |
| Torque | 260 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 73 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 279 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 420 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 62.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 534 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 170 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Tesla |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 6.3 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 201 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 146 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,901 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,862 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,450 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,830 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,494 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/50R17 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/50R17 | 255/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Primacy 3 ST | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Torque Vectoring by Braking | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory, Passenger Side Shoulder Switch | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | Folding Rear Bench with Centre Armrest | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual Rear Door Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 10 Speakers | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Remote Engine Start | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance) |
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 Accord & Model 3 for sale
Accord vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the Honda Accord or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is the stronger buy on price, acceleration, EV range and driver assistance. Choose the Honda Accord for lower road tax, CKD assembly, parking sensors and its five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM36,900 less than the Honda Accord.
Which has the better warranty and lower annual road tax?
The Honda Accord does. It has a five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty and RM90 annual road tax; the Model 3 has a four-year/80,000-km vehicle warranty and RM280 annual road tax, alongside separate eight-year/160,000-km battery and drive-unit cover.