Car Buyer's Guide

smart #5 vs Tesla Model Y

smart #5

smart #5

Tesla Model Y

Tesla Model Y

Verdict

At RM209,800, the smart #5 costs RM11,800 more than the RM198,000 Tesla Model Y, but brings a 100 kWh battery, 590 km range and 400 kW DC charging against 60 kWh, 466 km and 175 kW. That matters on long interstate days, as do 22 kW AC charging and 3.3 kW V2L. The Model Y answers with a 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time and 854-litre boot, versus 6.5 seconds and 630 litres, while its annual road tax is RM305 rather than RM455.

#5

Pick the smart #5 if you prioritise longer range, much faster charging and a 3.3 kW V2L supply.

Model Y

Pick the Tesla Model Y if you want the quicker SUV with a substantially larger boot and lower annual road tax.

Key differences

  • Price: smart #5 RM209,800; Tesla Model Y RM198,000.
  • Battery and range: smart #5 100 kWh and 590 km; Tesla Model Y 60 kWh and 466 km.
  • Charging: smart #5 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC; Tesla Model Y 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC.
  • Performance: smart #5 358 hp, 373 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds; Tesla Model Y 295 hp, 420 Nm and 5.9 seconds.
  • Boot space: smart #5 630 litres; Tesla Model Y 854 litres.
  • Annual road tax: smart #5 RM455; Tesla Model Y RM305.

#5

  • 100 kWh battery with 590 km range.
  • 400 kW DC and 22 kW AC charging.
  • 3.3 kW V2L, 360-degree camera and front/rear parking sensors.
  • Slower 6.5-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.9 seconds.
  • 630-litre boot trails the Tesla's 854 litres.
  • Higher annual road tax at RM455 versus RM305.

Model Y

  • Quicker 5.9-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
  • 854-litre boot.
  • Heated and ventilated front seats, plus heated rear seats.
  • 466 km range is 124 km short of the smart #5.
  • 175 kW DC and 11 kW AC charging are well behind the smart #5's rates.
  • No V2L, head-up display, 360-degree camera or parking sensors.
Price & overview
PriceRM209,800RM198,000✓
Body typeSUVSUV
SegmentCompact ExecutiveCompact Executive
AssemblyCBUCBU
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM455RM305✓
Powertrain
Engine Tech800V architecture400V architecture
FuelElectricElectric
Number of Motors11
Motor Horsepower358 hp✓295 hp
Motor Torque373 Nm420 Nm✓
Battery Capacity100 kWh✓60 kWh
EV Range590 km✓466 km
Charging Rate (AC)22 kW✓11 kW
Charging Rate (DC)400 kW✓175 kW
V2L3.3 kW—
Drivetrain
TransmissionSingle Ratio AutomaticSingle Ratio Automatic
DrivelineRear Wheel DriveRear Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h6.5 seconds5.9 seconds✓
Top Speed200 km/h201 km/h✓
Dimensions
Length4,705 mm4,790 mm
Width1,920 mm2,129 mm
Height1,705 mm1,624 mm
Wheelbase2,900 mm2,891 mm
Weight2,260 kg1,921 kg
Doors55
Seats55
Boot Space630 litres854 litres✓
Front Tyre255/45R20255/45R19
Rear Tyre255/45R20255/45R19
Factory TyresContinental EcoContact 7Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV
Chassis
AssemblyChina (CBU)China (CBU)
Front SuspensionDouble WishbonesDouble Wishbones
Rear SuspensionMulti-linkMulti-link
Front Wheels20" Alloys19" Crossflow Alloys
Rear Wheels20" Alloys19" Crossflow Alloys
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Safety
Airbags6 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags)7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee)
ABS/EBD✓✓
Stability Control✓✓
Alarm✓✓
Immobilizer✓✓
Airbag Disable Function✓—
Child Safety LockElectronic for Rear DoorsManual for Rear Doors
Seat Belts5 Three-point5 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System✓✓
ISOFIXAvailable On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer SeatsAvailable on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYes, Front and RearYes
Lane-keeping AssistSteering CorrectionSteering Correction
Collision Warning✓✓
Seatbelt ReminderAll SeatsAll Seats
Lighting
HeadlampsLED Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto LevellingAdaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam
TaillampsFull LEDFull LED with LED Lighter
LED Daytime Running Lights✓✓
Rear Foglamps✓✓
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators✓✓
Cabin
Front SeatsDriver and Passenger Powered SeatsPower Adjustable Front Seats, Heated & Ventilated
Rear Seats60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment40:20:40 Split-Folding, Heated
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic Climate ControlDual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter
Rear Air-conRear AC VentsRear Vents with Rear Screen
SunroofPanoramic Glass RoofPanoramic Glass Roof
Power Sockets1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear1 Front, 4 Front USB-C
Interior LightingMap Lights & Ambient LightingMap Lights & Ambient Lighting
Cup Holders2 Front, 2 Rear2 Front, 2 Rear
Sun ShadePowered Sunroof Shade—
Audio13" Twin AMOLED Touchscreens with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Sennheiser Sound System15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 9 Speakers
Convenience
Power WindowsFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti PinchFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch
Engine StartKeyless (Depress Brake Pedal)Keyless (Depress Brake to Start)
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Operation
Auto Headlamps✓✓
Auto Wipers✓✓
Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam AssistAdaptive Cruise Control
Steering Audio Control✓✓
Steering Tilt✓✓
Steering Telescopic✓✓
Electric Steering Adjustment—✓
Boot OperationYes, Powered with Kick SensorPowered Boot
Parking Sensor Front6 Sensors—
Parking Sensor Rear6 Sensors—
Reverse CameraYes, With 360-degree CameraYes
Auto ParkingYes—
Folding Wing Mirrors✓✓
Bluetooth✓✓
Navigation✓✓
Head-up Display✓—
Hill Start Assist✓✓
Instrument ClusterFull LCD Monitor—
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimited✓80,000 km
Warranty Manufacturer4 years4 years
Warranty Notes8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty & 8-year/150000 High Voltage Components Warranty8-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.

#5 vs Model Y FAQ

Is the smart #5 or Tesla Model Y better?

The smart #5 is better for range and charging, with 590 km and 400 kW DC capability. Choose the Tesla Model Y for its 854-litre boot, quicker 5.9-second sprint and lower RM305 annual road tax.

What is the price difference?

The smart #5 costs RM11,800 more than the Tesla Model Y. Its extra outlay brings a 40 kWh larger battery, 124 km more stated range, 400 kW DC charging and V2L.

Which SUV charges faster?

The smart #5 charges faster on both AC and DC power: 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC, compared with the Tesla Model Y's 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC.

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