Peugeot 408 vs Tesla Model 3
Verdict
At RM146,055 for the Peugeot 408 and RM147,600 for the Tesla Model 3, this is almost level on price. The Tesla is the quicker car, doing 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds against 8.8 seconds, and it also has the bigger boot at 594 litres versus 536 litres. The Peugeot counters with a 7-year warranty, RM90 annual road tax and a conventional 1.6 litre turbo petrol set-up. For Malaysia, the choice is really fuel and ownership style, not budget.
Pick the Peugeot 408 if you want a CKD petrol sedan with a longer 7-year warranty, lower RM90 road tax and a familiar automatic gearbox.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you want electric drive, rear-wheel drive, 534 km of EV range and much stronger 6.2-second acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: Peugeot 408 RM146,055; Tesla Model 3 RM147,600
- Powertrain: Peugeot 408 1,598 cc petrol; Tesla Model 3 electric with 62.5 kWh battery
- Acceleration: Peugeot 408 0-100 km/h in 8.8 s; Tesla Model 3 0-100 km/h in 6.2 s
- Driven wheels: Peugeot 408 front-wheel drive; Tesla Model 3 rear-wheel drive
- Boot space: Peugeot 408 536 L; Tesla Model 3 594 L
- Warranty and road tax: Peugeot 408 7 years and RM90/year; Tesla Model 3 4 years and RM280/year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 146,055✓ | RM 147,600 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Engine | 1,598 cc | Electric |
| Power | 215 hp | — |
| Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 8.8 s | 6.2 s✓ |
| Top speed | — | 201 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | — | 62.5 kWh |
| EV range | — | 534 km |
| 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 | — |
| Boot space | 536 L | 594 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 52 L | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 7✓ | 4 |
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 280 |
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.
408
- 7-year warranty
- Lower RM90 annual road tax
- 215 hp and 300 Nm from a 1.6 litre turbo petrol engine
- Slower 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 536-litre boot
- Front-wheel drive only
Model 3
- Quicker 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- 534 km EV range
- Larger 594-litre boot
- Shorter 4-year warranty
- Higher RM280 annual road tax
- Much wider at 2,089 mm
408 vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the Peugeot 408 or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is better for pace, boot space and EV range. The Peugeot 408 makes more sense if you want petrol, CKD assembly, a 7-year warranty and lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM1,545 more than the Peugeot 408. At this gap, price should not decide it; the bigger call is petrol versus electric.
Which is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The Tesla Model 3 is quicker, taking 6.2 seconds from 0-100 km/h. The Peugeot 408 takes 8.8 seconds, so the Tesla has a clear 2.6-second advantage.