Verdict
At RM149,000, the rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model 3 undercuts the RM168,760 Peugeot 508 by RM19,760 while bringing 279 hp, 420 Nm and a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time. Its 62.5-kWh battery is rated for 534 km and DC charging reaches 170 kW. The 508 is the more conventional petrol choice, with a 72-litre tank, 545-litre boot and 220 km/h top speed, but its 163 hp turbo four takes 9.2 seconds to 100 km/h. Tesla also adds autonomous braking, steering correction and adaptive cruise control.
Pick the Peugeot 508 if you want a petrol sedan with a 72-litre tank, full-size spare wheel, head-up display and rear sunshades.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you want lower upfront cost, 279 hp electric performance, 534 km rated range and active safety assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Peugeot 508 RM168,760; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Output: Peugeot 508 163 hp and 240 Nm; Tesla Model 3 279 hp and 420 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Peugeot 508 9.2 seconds; Tesla Model 3 6.2 seconds.
- Storage: Peugeot 508 545 litres; Tesla Model 3 594 litres.
- Top speed: Peugeot 508 220 km/h; Tesla Model 3 201 km/h.
- Road tax: Peugeot 508 RM90 per year; Tesla Model 3 RM280 per year.
508
- 220 km/h top speed versus 201 km/h.
- 72-litre petrol tank and a full-size 18-inch alloy spare.
- Head-up display, front foglamps and manual rear sunshades.
- Costs RM19,760 more despite 163 hp and a 9.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping steering correction.
- 545-litre boot is 49 litres smaller than the Model 3's 594 litres.
Model 3
- 279 hp, 420 Nm and 6.2-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
- 62.5-kWh battery, 534 km rated range, 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging.
- Autonomous braking, collision warning, steering correction and adaptive cruise control.
- RM280 annual road tax is RM190 higher than the 508's RM90.
- 201 km/h top speed is 19 km/h below the 508's 220 km/h.
- No front or rear parking sensors, versus six at each end on the 508.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM168,760 | RM149,000✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM280 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 163 hp | — |
| Torque | 240 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 | EAT6 | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Tesla |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.2 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h✓ | 201 km/h |
| Co2 | 164 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,828 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,456 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,817 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,552 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 545 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/45R18 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/45R18 | 255/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size 18" Alloy | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Primacy HP | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | France (CBU) | 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 (Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| 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 | Electric 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 | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats | 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 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 sun shades, manual rear sun shades | — |
| Audio | 7" Touchscreen CD/MP3 Player with JBL system and 10 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 | Remote Control Activated | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| 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 Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 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 508 & Model 3 for sale
508 vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the Peugeot 508 or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is the stronger buy on price, performance, boot space and driver assistance: it costs RM19,760 less, reaches 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and has autonomous braking. Choose the Peugeot 508 for petrol refuelling, a spare wheel and its head-up display.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM149,000 and the Peugeot 508 costs RM168,760, so the Tesla is RM19,760 cheaper.
Which has the better long-distance setup?
For electric travel, the Model 3 has a 534 km rated range and up to 170 kW DC charging. The 508 instead uses a 72-litre petrol tank, returns a rated 7.1 L/100 km and carries a full-size spare wheel.