Verdict
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM16,030 less at RM149,000, yet its 279 hp, 420 Nm rear motor reaches 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, 1.2 seconds ahead of the Optima. Its 62.5 kWh battery is rated for 534 km and the 594-litre boot beats the Kia’s 510 litres, giving it the stronger numbers-led case. The Optima remains the better-equipped long-distance petrol sedan: it has a 70-litre tank, 242 hp turbo engine, ventilated front seats and a full-size spare. But its 8.5 L/100 km rating and RM379 annual road tax need factoring in.
Pick the Kia Optima if you want a petrol sedan with ventilated front seats, a full-size spare wheel and a 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you want the lower RM149,000 entry price, 534 km claimed EV range, quicker acceleration and active safety assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Optima RM165,030; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Performance: Optima 242 hp/350 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds; Model 3 279 hp/420 Nm and 6.2 seconds.
- Energy use: Optima is rated at 8.5 L/100 km with a 70-litre petrol tank; Model 3 has a 62.5 kWh battery and 534 km EV range.
- Boot space: Optima 510 litres; Model 3 594 litres.
- Road tax: Optima RM379 per year; Model 3 RM280 per year.
- Driver assistance: Optima has passive cruise control and no lane-keeping assist; Model 3 has adaptive cruise control and steering correction lane-keeping…
Optima
- Heated and ventilated power front seats with driver memory.
- Full-size 18-inch alloy spare wheel.
- 5-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.
- RM16,030 dearer despite being 1.2 seconds slower to 100 km/h.
- 510-litre boot trails the Model 3’s 594 litres.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or blind-spot information system.
Model 3
- Lower purchase price and RM99 lower annual road tax.
- 534 km claimed range, with 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging capability.
- 594-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking.
- 4-year/80,000 km manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Optima’s 5-year unlimited-mileage cover.
- No listed spare tyre.
- Lacks the Optima’s heated and ventilated front seats, driver-seat memory and rear door sun shades.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM165,030 | RM149,000✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM280✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 242 hp | — |
| Torque | 350 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 86 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| 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 | Hyundai | Tesla |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 8.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 201 km/h |
| Co2 | 191 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,855 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,455 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,805 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,580 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 510 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/45R18 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/45R18 | 255/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size 18" Alloy | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 3 | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Dynamic LED Projector | 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated and Ventilated, with Memory Function for Driver | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 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, Front Tilt and Slide | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Rear | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear door window shades | — |
| Audio | 7.0" touchscreen with 6 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 | 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 | Contactless Operation | 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 | — | 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 Optima & Model 3 for sale
Optima vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the Kia Optima or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is the stronger choice on price, acceleration, boot capacity, EV range and driver assistance. Choose the Kia Optima if its petrol powertrain, ventilated seats, full-size spare and longer unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Optima costs RM165,030 and the Tesla Model 3 costs RM149,000, so the Tesla is RM16,030 cheaper.
Which car is quicker and more practical for luggage?
The Model 3 is quicker, taking 6.2 seconds from 0-100 km/h versus 7.4 seconds for the Optima. It also has a 594-litre boot, 84 litres more than the Kia’s 510 litres.