Verdict
The smart #3 is the quicker, more EV-focused choice: RM175,000 buys 268 hp, rear-wheel drive, a 49.0 kWh battery, 325 km of range and a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time. The Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace costs RM166,590 and answers with seven seats, a 60-litre petrol tank, a 200 km/h top speed and a longer five-year warranty. The RM8,410 gap is not buying the smart more seats or warranty; it buys EV running, much stronger acceleration and a larger quoted boot.
Pick the smart #3 if you want the faster five-seat SUV, EV drive and 325 km of range.
Pick the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace if you need seven seats, petrol refuelling and the longer five-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: smart #3 RM175,000; Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace RM166,590
- Seats: smart #3 5; Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 7
- Power: smart #3 268 hp; Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 148 hp
- 0-100 km/h: smart #3 5.8 s; Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 9.5 s
- Boot space: smart #3 370 L; Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 230 L
- Warranty: smart #3 4 years; Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 5 years
#3
- Much quicker 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time
- 268 hp rear-wheel-drive electric motor
- 370-litre boot is larger on paper
- Only five seats against the Volkswagen’s seven
- Lower 180 km/h top speed
- Shorter four-year warranty
Tiguan Allspace
- Seven-seat cabin layout
- Costs RM8,410 less
- Higher 200 km/h top speed
- Slower 9.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Lower 148 hp output
- Smaller 230-litre boot
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM175,000 | RM166,590✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM260 | RM100✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,395 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 148 hp |
| Torque | — | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 74.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 268 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 343 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 49 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 325 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 150 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volkswagen AG |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.8 seconds✓ | 9.5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 200 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,400 mm | 4,728 mm |
| Width | 1,844 mm | 1,839 mm |
| Height | 1,556 mm | 1,686 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,785 mm | 2,788 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,460 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 370 litres✓ | 230 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 | Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 2 SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multilink |
| Front Wheels | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels | 18" Frankfurt Silver Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels | 18" Frankfurt Silver Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Electronic Differential Lock |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats | Available on 2 Outer Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Front and Rear | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Driver Attention Monitor |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding Middle Row with Manual Slide and Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 1 Middle Row, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 1 Middle Row USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Back Row |
| Sun Shade | Manual Sunshade for Glass Roof | — |
| Audio | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | 9.2" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Proximity Sensor, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 8 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 (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Auto Parking | 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 | 3-year/45,000 km Free Service |
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 & Tiguan Allspace for sale
#3 vs Tiguan Allspace FAQ
Is the smart #3 or Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace better?
The smart #3 is better for performance and EV use, with 268 hp and 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. The Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace is better if seven seats and a five-year warranty matter more.
What is the price difference?
The smart #3 costs RM175,000, while the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace costs RM166,590. That makes the smart RM8,410 more expensive.
Which SUV is quicker?
The smart #3 is much quicker. It does 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, compared with 9.5 seconds for the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.