Verdict
The MG 5 costs RM55,200 less at RM93,800 and its RM90 annual road tax is RM190 below the Tesla Model 3’s RM280. It is the straightforward petrol sedan choice, with a 45-litre tank, 401-litre boot and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Model 3 justifies its higher entry price with far stronger numbers: 279 hp, 420 Nm, 6.2 seconds to 100 km/h and a 534-km EV range from its 62.5-kWh battery. Its 594-litre boot, 170-kW DC charging and adaptive safety kit matter too. But it is 247 mm wider, so it needs more care in tight Malaysian car parks.
The Model 3 Performance AWD (RM232,000) sits above every 5 variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the MG 5 if RM93,800, lower RM90 road tax, a 45-litre petrol tank and wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto suit your daily use better than EV charging.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you want 534 km of electric range, 6.2-second acceleration, a 594-litre boot and 170-kW DC charging.
Key differences
- Price: MG 5 RM93,800; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Performance: MG 5 112 hp, 150 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 11.5 seconds; Model 3 279 hp, 420 Nm and 6.2 seconds.
- Energy storage/range: MG 5 45-litre petrol tank; Model 3 62.5-kWh battery with 534 km EV range.
- Boot space: MG 5 401 litres; Model 3 594 litres.
- Road tax: MG 5 RM90 per year; Model 3 RM280 per year.
- Width: MG 5 1,842 mm; Model 3 2,089 mm.
5
- RM55,200 cheaper to buy.
- RM90 annual road tax versus RM280.
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a 360-degree camera.
- 112 hp and 150 Nm trail the Model 3’s 279 hp and 420 Nm.
- 401-litre boot is 193 litres smaller.
- Lane-keeping only warns, where the Model 3 provides steering correction.
Model 3
- 534-km EV range and 170-kW DC charging.
- 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 594-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and a powered boot.
- RM149,000 price is RM55,200 higher.
- RM280 annual road tax is RM190 higher.
- 2,089-mm body is 247 mm wider.
What the 5 has over the Model 3
What the Model 3 has over the 5
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Model 3 is 247 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the Model 3: 594 litres against 401.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM93,800✓ | RM149,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM280 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM960/mo✓ | RM1,520/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM2,718✓ | RM4,122 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | — | RM1,040 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | — | RM5.20 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | — | RM27,209 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | — | 5.7 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | — | 25 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 112 hp at 6,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 150 Nm at 4,500 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 75 mm × 84.8 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11.5 | — |
| 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 |
| V2L | — | Yes |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | iCVT | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Tesla |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 11.5 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 201 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,675 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,842 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,480 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,680 mm | — |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 401 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R17 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 255/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Primetra S | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 19 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | 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 | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (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 On Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | 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 Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | One-piece Folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vent | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 3 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 | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | 16" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down | 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 | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers, Powershare V2L via Tesla Outlet Adapter (RM350, sold separately) on cars built from October 2026 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 7 Years/Unlimited Mileage Warranty on Powertrain | 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used 5 & Model 3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
MG 5
Tesla Model 3
5 vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the MG 5 or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is the more capable car on performance, boot space, driver assistance and EV range. The MG 5 is the better fit if the RM55,200 lower purchase price, RM90 road tax and petrol refuelling are decisive.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM149,000, which is RM55,200 more than the MG 5 at RM93,800.
Which car is quicker and more practical for luggage?
The Tesla Model 3 reaches 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds against the MG 5’s 11.5 seconds, and its 594-litre boot exceeds the MG 5’s 401 litres by 193 litres.
How long does charging take?
The Model 3's 62.5 kWh battery takes about 5.7 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 170 kW peak.
Which has the better warranty?
The 5 carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty against 4 years for the Model 3. 5: 7 Years/Unlimited Mileage Warranty on Powertrain. Model 3: 8-year/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance).