Hyundai Staria vs smart #3
Verdict
At RM179,888 versus RM175,000, the Hyundai Staria costs RM4,888 more, but it buys a very different job description: 10 seats, a 5,253 mm body and a 75-litre diesel tank. The smart #3 is the quicker, more urban EV, with 268 hp, 343 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, plus 325 km of electric range. For a Malaysian buyer, this is less about price and more about passengers, charging access and parking space.
Staria
Pick the Hyundai Staria if you need 10 seats, sliding-door practicality and a bigger 430-litre boot more than EV acceleration or driver-assist kit.
#3
Pick the smart #3 if you want a quicker five-seat EV with 325 km range, stronger safety tech and easier city-sized dimensions.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Staria RM179,888; smart #3 RM175,000
- Powertrain: Hyundai Staria 2.2-litre diesel with 175 hp/431 Nm; smart #3 single-motor EV with 268 hp/343 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Hyundai Staria 12.4 seconds; smart #3 5.8 seconds
- Size: Hyundai Staria 5,253 mm long/1,997 mm wide; smart #3 4,400 mm long/1,844 mm wide
- Seats and boot: Hyundai Staria 10 seats/430 litres; smart #3 5 seats/370 litres
- Road tax: Hyundai Staria RM599 per year; smart #3 RM260 per year
Staria
- Seats 10 with three-point belts for all seats
- Larger 430-litre boot than the smart #3’s 370 litres
- Full-size spare tyre; the smart #3 has none listed
- Much slower, at 12.4 seconds to 100 km/h versus 5.8 seconds
- Lacks the smart #3’s blind-spot system, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control
- Far larger body makes it harder to place in tight parking: 5,253 mm long versus 4,400 mm
#3
- Far quicker, with 268 hp and 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds
- Gets 150 kW DC charging, 22 kW AC charging and 325 km EV range
- More driver-assist kit, including adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and auto parking
- Only five seats versus the Hyundai Staria’s 10
- Smaller boot, at 370 litres versus 430 litres
- No full-size spare tyre listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 179,888 | RM 175,000✓ |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Geometry Turbocharger | — |
| Capacity | 2,199 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 175 hp | — |
| Torque | 431 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Diesel | Electric |
| Bore | 85.4 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 268 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 343 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) |
| Battery Capacity | — | 49 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 325 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 12.4 seconds | 5.8 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 185 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,253 mm | 4,400 mm |
| Width | 1,997 mm | 1,844 mm |
| Height | 1,990 mm | 1,556 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,273 mm | 2,785 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 75 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 10 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 430 litres✓ | 370 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/65R17 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/65R17 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | — |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho PorTran KC53 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 Sliding Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 10 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Second Row Passenger Seats | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Occupant Alert | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling |
| Taillamps | Bulb | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, Two Flat-folding, Sliding and Reclining 3rd Row Captain Chairs, 60:40 Split-folding 3rd Row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Ceiling-mounted Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Second-row USB, 1 Third-row USB, 2 Last-row USB | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Sunshade for Glass Roof |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 4 Speakers | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Front Windows, Auto Up and Down, Manual Slide Rear Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | 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 | Yes, Powered |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 599 | RM 260✓ |
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.
Staria vs #3 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Staria or smart #3 better?
The Hyundai Staria is better for carrying people, with 10 seats and a bigger boot. The smart #3 is better for performance, safety assistance and EV running, with 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds and 325 km range.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Staria costs RM179,888 and the smart #3 costs RM175,000, so the Staria is RM4,888 more expensive.
Which is cheaper to tax each year?
The smart #3 has the lower annual road tax at RM260, compared with RM599 for the Hyundai Staria.