smart #5 vs Tesla Model Y
Verdict
At RM199,800 for the smart #5 and RM195,450 for the Tesla Model Y, the Malaysian choice is close on price but not character. The smart counters with a much longer 590 km EV range and a 100.0 kWh battery, useful if you regularly do intercity runs. The Tesla is the sharper practical buy on numbers: 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, 854 litres of boot space, seven airbags and RM305 yearly road tax. The smart is taller and slightly longer between the wheels, but the Tesla carries more luggage.
Pick the smart #5 if the 590 km EV range and 100.0 kWh battery matter more than boot space and acceleration.
Pick the Tesla Model Y if you want the quicker, cheaper-to-tax SUV with the larger 854-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: smart #5 RM199,800; Tesla Model Y RM195,450
- 0-100 km/h: smart #5 6.5 s; Tesla Model Y 5.9 s
- EV range: smart #5 590 km; Tesla Model Y 466 km
- Boot space: smart #5 630 L; Tesla Model Y 854 L
- Size: smart #5 4,705 x 1,920 x 1,705 mm; Tesla Model Y 4,790 x 2,129 x 1,624 mm
- Road tax/year: smart #5 RM455; Tesla Model Y RM305
#5
- Longer 590 km EV range
- Large 100.0 kWh battery
- Taller body at 1,705 mm
- RM4,350 dearer to buy
- Slower 6.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 630-litre boot
Model Y
- Quicker 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Bigger 854-litre boot
- Lower RM305 yearly road tax
- Shorter 466 km EV range
- Wider 2,129 mm body
- Lower 1,624 mm height
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 199,800 | RM 195,450✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 358 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 373 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) | — |
| Battery Capacity | 100 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 590 km✓ | 466 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 400 kW✓ | 175 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.5 seconds | 5.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 201 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 4,790 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 2,129 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,624 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,891 mm |
| Weight | 2,260 kg | 1,921 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 630 litres | 854 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/45R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 7 | Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Crossflow Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Crossflow Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags | 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 | Electronic 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto Levelling | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with LED Lighter |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated & Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment | 40:20:40 Split-Folding, Heated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents with Rear Screen |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 13" Twin AMOLED Touchscreens with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Sennheiser Sound System | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 9 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Yes, Powered with Kick Sensor | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, With 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty & 8-year/150000 High Voltage Components Warranty | 8-year/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance) |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 455 | RM 305✓ |
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 Tesla Model Y is the better all-rounder on these numbers, with quicker acceleration, a larger boot, one extra airbag and lower road tax. Choose the smart #5 if EV range is your priority.
What is the price difference?
The smart #5 costs RM199,800, while the Tesla Model Y costs RM195,450. That makes the smart RM4,350 more expensive.
Which has the longer EV range?
The smart #5 has the longer range at 590 km. The Tesla Model Y is rated at 466 km, so the smart has a 124 km advantage.