Verdict
At just RM912 apart, this is less a price decision than a size-and-use decision for Malaysian buyers. The smart #5 brings a 100 kWh battery, 590 km range, 400 kW DC charging and a genuinely useful 630-litre boot; its 2,900 mm wheelbase is 250 mm longer too. The Volvo EX30 counters with a quicker 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time, lower RM260 annual road tax and a five-year vehicle warranty. Pick the #5 for long-distance family duty and charging headroom; choose the EX30 if a smaller, faster urban EV suits your routine.
Pick the smart #5 if you need 590 km of range, 630 litres of boot space and 400 kW DC charging for frequent outstation use.
Pick the Volvo EX30 if you want the quicker 5.3-second sprint, a more compact 4,223 mm body and lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: smart #5 RM209,800; Volvo EX30 RM208,888.
- Battery and range: smart #5 100 kWh and 590 km; Volvo EX30 69 kWh and 476 km.
- Charging: smart #5 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC; Volvo EX30 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC.
- Performance: smart #5 358 hp, 373 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds; Volvo EX30 268 hp, 343 Nm and 5.3 seconds.
- Size and boot: smart #5 is 4,705 mm long with a 2,900 mm wheelbase and 630-litre boot; Volvo EX30 is 4,223 mm long with a 2,650 mm wheelbase and 318-litre boot.
- Ownership: smart #5 road tax is RM455 yearly with a four-year vehicle warranty; Volvo EX30 costs RM260 yearly with a five-year vehicle warranty.
#5
- 590 km range from a 100 kWh battery.
- 400 kW DC and 22 kW AC charging.
- 630-litre boot, rear seat sliding adjustment and rear air-con vents.
- 0-100 km/h takes 6.5 seconds versus the EX30's 5.3 seconds.
- RM455 annual road tax is RM195 higher.
- Four-year vehicle warranty is one year shorter.
EX30
- 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- RM260 annual road tax and five-year vehicle warranty.
- More compact 4,223 mm length for tighter urban spaces.
- 476 km range trails the smart #5's 590 km.
- 175 kW DC and 11 kW AC charging rates are lower.
- 318-litre boot is 312 litres smaller and it has no rear air-con vents.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM209,800 | RM208,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM455 | RM260✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 800V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 358 hp✓ | 268 hp |
| Motor Torque | 373 Nm✓ | 343 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 100 kWh✓ | 69 kWh |
| EV Range | 590 km✓ | 476 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 400 kW✓ | 175 kW |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | 3.6 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 | 5.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 4,223 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,837 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,555 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,650 mm |
| Weight | 2,260 kg | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 630 litres✓ | 318 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 24545R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 7 | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" 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 Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Electric 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto Levelling | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| 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 | 12.3" Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, Harman Kardon 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 (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 with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Yes, Powered with Kick Sensor | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, With 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| 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/150000 High Voltage Components Warranty | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & EX30 for sale
#5 vs EX30 FAQ
Is the smart #5 or Volvo EX30 better?
The smart #5 is better for distance, luggage and charging, with 590 km range, a 630-litre boot and 400 kW DC charging. The Volvo EX30 is better if quicker acceleration, smaller dimensions and lower road tax matter more.
What is the price difference?
The smart #5 costs RM209,800 and the Volvo EX30 costs RM208,888, so the smart is RM912 more expensive.
Which one charges faster?
The smart #5 charges faster on both AC and DC: 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC, against the Volvo EX30's 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC.