Verdict
At RM179,888, the Hyundai Staria costs RM4,888 more than the smart #3, but these are radically different answers to Malaysian family transport. The Staria brings 10 seats, a 430-litre boot and a 3,273 mm wheelbase, against the smart’s five seats, 370 litres and 2,785 mm. Its 2.2-litre diesel makes 431 Nm, yet the #3’s 268-hp motor cuts the 0-100 km/h time from 12.4 to 5.8 seconds. The smart also has 325 km of stated range, 150 kW DC charging and more active safety assistance.
Pick the Hyundai Staria if you need 10 seats, three rows of usable seating and the larger 430-litre boot for carrying people.
Pick the smart #3 if five seats are enough and you want EV driving, a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time and active safety systems.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Staria RM179,888; smart #3 RM175,000.
- Seating: Hyundai Staria 10 seats; smart #3 5 seats.
- Performance: Hyundai Staria 0-100 km/h in 12.4 seconds; smart #3 in 5.8 seconds.
- Size: Hyundai Staria is 5,253 mm long with a 3,273 mm wheelbase; smart #3 is 4,400 mm long with a 2,785 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Hyundai Staria 430 litres; smart #3 370 litres.
- Road tax: Hyundai Staria RM599 yearly; smart #3 RM260 yearly.
Staria
- 10 seats and three rows of sliding, reclining rear seating.
- 430-litre boot and a full-size spare tyre.
- Eight-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- 12.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 6.6 seconds slower than the smart #3.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot information system or lane-keeping assist.
- RM599 annual road tax is RM339 higher.
#3
- 268-hp motor delivers 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds.
- 49 kWh battery, 325 km range, 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging.
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot information, steering lane correction and 360-degree camera.
- Only five seats, versus the Staria’s 10.
- 370-litre boot is 60 litres smaller.
- Four-year vehicle warranty is shorter in duration than the Staria’s eight years, despite unlimited mileage.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM179,888 | RM175,000✓ |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM599 | RM260✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Geometry Turbocharger | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,199 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 175 hp | — |
| Torque | 431 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Diesel | Electric |
| Bore | 85.4 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | — |
| 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 |
| V2L | — | 3.3 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 Staria & #3 for sale
Staria vs #3 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Staria or smart #3 better?
The Staria is better for moving up to 10 people and carrying more luggage. The smart #3 is better for five occupants who want a much quicker EV with 325 km range, 150 kW DC charging and more driver assistance.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Staria is RM4,888 more expensive than the smart #3. The gap is small, but the Staria buys five extra seats, a 60-litre larger boot and a much longer body.
Which one is quicker?
The smart #3 is decisively quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds versus 12.4 seconds for the Hyundai Staria. The smart’s 268-hp electric motor also exceeds the Staria diesel’s 175 hp.