Verdict
The smart #3 is the sharper buy for a Malaysian buyer who values pace and a lower outlay: RM175,000 gets 268 hp, 343 Nm and a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time, versus 224 hp, 269 Nm and 7.4 seconds for the bZ4X. But the Toyota’s 73.1-kWh battery delivers 525 km against 325 km, while its 452-litre boot is 82 litres larger. Both charge at up to 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC, so the Toyota’s advantage is distance between stops, not faster charging. The smart counters with 3.3-kW V2L and rear-wheel drive.
Pick the smart #3 if 5.8-second acceleration, rear-wheel drive, 3.3-kW V2L and a RM45,000 lower price matter more than maximum range and boot room.
Pick the Toyota bZ4X if its 525-km range, 452-litre boot, ventilated front seats and 8-year unlimited-mileage battery warranty suit your use better.
Key differences
- Price: smart #3 RM175,000; Toyota bZ4X RM220,000.
- EV range and battery: smart #3 325 km from 49 kWh; Toyota bZ4X 525 km from 73.1 kWh.
- Motor output and 0-100 km/h: smart #3 268 hp/343 Nm and 5.8 seconds; Toyota bZ4X 224 hp/269 Nm and 7.4 seconds.
- Boot space and length: smart #3 370 litres and 4,400 mm; Toyota bZ4X 452 litres and 4,690 mm.
- Driveline and V2L: smart #3 rear-wheel drive with 3.3-kW V2L; Toyota bZ4X front-wheel drive with no V2L.
- Battery warranty: smart #3 eight years/200,000 km; Toyota bZ4X eight years/unlimited mileage.
#3
- RM45,000 less expensive.
- Quicker 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time with 268 hp and 343 Nm.
- 3.3-kW V2L and rear-wheel drive.
- 325-km range is 200 km shorter.
- 370-litre boot is 82 litres smaller.
- Battery warranty is capped at 200,000 km rather than unlimited mileage.
bZ4X
- 525-km range from a 73.1-kWh battery.
- 452-litre boot, 82 litres larger than the smart #3's.
- Ventilated powered front seats with driver memory and dual-zone climate control.
- RM45,000 more expensive.
- Slower 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time with 224 hp and 269 Nm.
- No V2L capability.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM175,000✓ | RM220,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM260 | RM200✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 268 hp✓ | 224 hp |
| Motor Torque | 343 Nm✓ | 269 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 49 kWh | 73.1 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 325 km | 525 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 150 kW | 150 kW |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.8 seconds✓ | 7.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h✓ | 160 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,400 mm | 4,690 mm |
| Width | 1,844 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,556 mm | 1,650 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,785 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,020 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 370 litres | 452 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front Centre, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Front and Rear | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation & Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual Sunshade for Glass Roof | Powered Panoramic Roof Shade |
| Audio | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | 14" Display Audio with Touch Screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, 6-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Yes, Powered | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, With 360-degree Camera | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Battery, Inverter and PCU |
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 #3 & bZ4X for sale
#3 vs bZ4X FAQ
Is the smart #3 or Toyota bZ4X better?
The smart #3 is better for lower-cost ownership, stronger performance and V2L. The Toyota bZ4X is better for long-distance use, with 525 km of range versus 325 km, a larger boot and an unlimited-mileage battery warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota bZ4X costs RM45,000 more than the smart #3: RM220,000 versus RM175,000.
Which has the longer EV range?
The Toyota bZ4X has the longer claimed range at 525 km from its 73.1-kWh battery. The smart #3 manages 325 km from 49 kWh. Both support up to 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging.