Verdict
The Tesla Model Y is RM11,800 cheaper at RM198,000, yet reaches 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and carries 854 litres in its boot. That is a hard package to ignore. The smart #5 answers with a 100 kWh battery, 590 km range and 400 kW DC charging, against the Tesla’s 60 kWh, 466 km and 175 kW. Its 22 kW AC charging, 3.3 kW V2L and 360-degree camera suit buyers who will use those functions. But budget RM455 yearly road tax versus RM305 for the Model Y.
Pick the smart #5 if you want the longer 590 km range, 400 kW DC charging, V2L and driver-assistance hardware including a 360-degree camera.
Pick the Tesla Model Y if you want the lower RM198,000 entry price, quicker 5.9-second sprint and much larger 854-litre boot.
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/400 kW DC; Tesla Model Y 11 kW AC/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.
- Road tax: smart #5 RM455 per year; Tesla Model Y RM305 per year.
#5
- 100 kWh battery with 590 km range
- 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC charging
- 3.3 kW V2L, 360-degree camera and auto parking
- Costs RM11,800 more
- Slower 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds versus 5.9 seconds
- 630-litre boot is 224 litres smaller
Model Y
- RM198,000 price and RM305 annual road tax
- 5.9-second 0-100 km/h acceleration
- 854-litre boot
- 466 km range is 124 km shorter
- 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC charging trail the smart #5
- No V2L, 360-degree camera or auto parking
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM209,800 | RM198,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM455 | RM305✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 800V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 358 hp✓ | 295 hp |
| Motor Torque | 373 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 100 kWh✓ | 60 kWh |
| EV Range | 590 km✓ | 466 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 400 kW✓ | 175 kW |
| V2L | 3.3 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) |
| 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 |
| 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) |
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 #5 & Model Y for sale
#5 vs Model Y FAQ
Is the smart #5 or Tesla Model Y better?
The Tesla Model Y is the stronger value and practicality choice: it costs RM11,800 less, is quicker to 100 km/h and has an 854-litre boot. Choose the smart #5 for its 590 km range, 400 kW DC charging and V2L.
What is the price difference?
The smart #5 costs RM209,800 and the Tesla Model Y costs RM198,000, so the smart costs RM11,800 more. Its annual road tax is also RM455, compared with RM305 for the Tesla.
Which one charges faster?
The smart #5 charges faster on both AC and DC: 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC, versus 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC for the Tesla Model Y. It also has 800V architecture rather than 400V.