Verdict
The Tesla Model 3 is the stronger numbers-led choice, with a 279 hp, 420 Nm rear motor that reaches 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, against the Peugeot 408’s 215 hp, 300 Nm and 8.8 seconds. It also brings a quoted 534 km EV range and a 594-litre boot. But the 408’s RM90 annual road tax is RM190 lower, and its seven-year/200,000-km manufacturer warranty is far more generous than Tesla’s four-year/80,000-km cover. For Malaysian buyers without a clear EV charging routine, the petrol Peugeot remains the less specialised proposition.
Pick the Peugeot 408 if you want lower RM90 annual road tax, a space-saver spare tyre and seven-year/200,000-km manufacturer warranty cover.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you want 6.2-second 0-100 km/h pace, 534 km quoted range, adaptive cruise control and a larger 594-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Peugeot 408 RM146,055; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Power and torque: Peugeot 408 215 hp and 300 Nm; Tesla Model 3 279 hp and 420 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Peugeot 408 8.8 seconds; Tesla Model 3 6.2 seconds.
- Boot space: Peugeot 408 536 litres; Tesla Model 3 594 litres.
- Road tax per year: Peugeot 408 RM90; Tesla Model 3 RM280.
- Manufacturer warranty: Peugeot 408 seven years/200,000 km; Tesla Model 3 four years/80,000 km.
408
- Seven-year/200,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- RM90 annual road tax.
- Space-saver spare tyre and front/rear parking sensors.
- 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Tesla’s 6.2 seconds.
- 536-litre boot is 58 litres smaller.
- Passive cruise control instead of adaptive cruise control.
Model 3
- 279 hp, 420 Nm motor and 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Quoted 534 km range, with 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging.
- 594-litre boot, powered boot and adaptive cruise control.
- RM280 annual road tax is RM190 higher.
- Four-year/80,000-km manufacturer warranty is much shorter.
- No spare tyre or listed front and rear parking sensors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM146,055✓ | RM149,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM280 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 215 hp | — |
| Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 77 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| 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 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Tesla |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 201 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,687 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,859 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,510 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,787 mm | — |
| Fuel Tank | 52 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 536 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 255/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance SUV | 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" Granite Grey Alloys | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Granite Grey Alloys | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic 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 | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver Powered Seat, Manual Passenger Seat | 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 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 | 10" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with 6 Speakers | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual 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 | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 200,000 km✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 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 408 & Model 3 for sale
408 vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the Peugeot 408 or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is better for performance, quoted range and boot space, delivering 279 hp, 420 Nm, 6.2-second acceleration and 594 litres. The Peugeot 408 is better for longer manufacturer warranty cover, lower annual road tax and a supplied space-saver spare.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM2,945 more than the Peugeot 408: RM149,000 versus RM146,055.
Which has the better warranty?
The Peugeot 408 has the stronger manufacturer warranty at seven years or 200,000 km. The Tesla Model 3 has four years or 80,000 km for the vehicle, plus an eight-year/160,000-km battery and drive unit warranty.