Verdict
At RM143,888, the Hyundai Tucson costs RM5,112 less than the Tesla Model 3, but the Tesla’s 279 hp and 420 Nm rear motor is a substantial step up from the Hyundai’s 154 hp and 192 Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine. Its 62.5 kWh battery also brings a 534 km claimed range, 170 kW DC charging and RM280 annual road tax, versus RM440 for the Tucson. The Hyundai is the more upright SUV, 224 mm taller, and has an eight-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty; the Tesla counters with adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking.
Pick the Hyundai Tucson if you want the lower RM143,888 entry price, SUV height, a 54-litre petrol tank and eight-year/160,000 km manufacturer cover.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you want 279 hp, 420 Nm, 534 km EV range, 170 kW DC charging and a stronger active-safety suite for RM5,112 more.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Tucson RM143,888; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Powertrain: Tucson 154 hp/192 Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine; Model 3 279 hp/420 Nm single motor.
- Running cost: Tucson road tax RM440 per year; Model 3 road tax RM280 per year.
- Energy storage: Tucson 54-litre fuel tank; Model 3 62.5 kWh battery with 534 km range.
- Dimensions: Tucson is 4,630 mm long, 1,865 mm wide and 1,665 mm tall; Model 3 is 4,720 mm long, 2,089 mm wide and 1,441 mm tall.
- Driver assistance: Tucson has passive cruise control and no lane-keeping assist; Model 3 has adaptive cruise control, steering correction and autonomous…
Tucson
- RM5,112 cheaper to buy.
- Eight-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- 224 mm taller SUV body and a space-saver spare tyre.
- 154 hp and 192 Nm trail the Model 3’s 279 hp and 420 Nm.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning, blind-spot system or lane-keeping assist.
- 582-litre boot is 12 litres smaller than the Model 3’s 594 litres.
Model 3
- 279 hp, 420 Nm and a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 534 km claimed range, 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging.
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking, blind-spot information and adaptive LED headlamps.
- RM5,112 more expensive.
- Four-year/80,000 km manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Tucson’s eight-year/160,000 km cover.
- No front or rear parking sensors are listed, while the Tucson has six at each end.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM143,888✓ | RM149,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440 | RM280✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 154 hp | — |
| Torque | 192 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 81 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8 | — |
| 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 | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Tesla |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 181 km/h | 201 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,630 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,665 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,755 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,488 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 54 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 582 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R17 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R17 | 255/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row 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 Projectors | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 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 AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 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 |
| Audio | 12.3" Curved Widescreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | 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 Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 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 Tucson & Model 3 for sale
Tucson vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Tucson or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is the stronger choice for performance, EV range and active safety: it has 279 hp, 420 Nm, a 534 km range and autonomous braking. Choose the Tucson for its lower price, SUV height and longer manufacturer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM149,000 and the Hyundai Tucson costs RM143,888, so the Tesla is RM5,112 more expensive.
Which one has the longer warranty?
The Tucson has the longer manufacturer warranty at eight years or 160,000 km. The Model 3 has a four-year/80,000 km manufacturer warranty, although its battery and drive unit are covered for eight years/160,000 km.