Research

smart #5 vs Volvo EX30

smart #5

smart #5

Volvo EX30

Volvo EX30

Verdict

At RM199,800, the smart #5 is RM9,088 cheaper than the RM208,888 Volvo EX30, yet it is the bigger C-segment SUV with 590 km range, a 100.0 kWh battery and a huge 630-litre boot. That matters if this is the family EV. The EX30 counters with a quicker 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time, seven airbags, a five-year warranty and lower RM260 road tax. It is also the more city-sized car, but the smart’s space and range are hard to ignore.

#5

Pick the smart #5 if you want the larger EV with more range, more boot space and the lower purchase price.

EX30

Pick the Volvo EX30 if you want the quicker, smaller SUV with seven airbags, a five-year warranty and lower annual road tax.

Key differences

  • Price: smart #5 RM199,800; Volvo EX30 RM208,888
  • Segment and size: smart #5 C-segment, 4,705 mm long; Volvo EX30 B-segment, 4,223 mm long
  • Power and acceleration: smart #5 358 hp, 0-100 km/h in 6.5 s; Volvo EX30 268 hp, 0-100 km/h in 5.3 s
  • Battery and range: smart #5 100.0 kWh, 590 km; Volvo EX30 69.0 kWh, 476 km
  • Boot space: smart #5 630 litres; Volvo EX30 318 litres
  • Warranty and road tax: smart #5 4 years, RM455/year; Volvo EX30 5 years, RM260/year

#5

  • Longer 590 km EV range
  • Much larger 630-litre boot
  • Cheaper by RM9,088
  • Slower 6.5-second 0-100 km/h despite more power
  • Six airbags versus seven in the Volvo
  • Higher RM455 annual road tax

EX30

  • Quicker 5.3-second 0-100 km/h sprint
  • Seven airbags and five-year warranty
  • Lower RM260 annual road tax
  • Shorter 476 km EV range
  • Much smaller 318-litre boot
  • Less power at 268 hp
Price & overview
PriceRM 199,800RM 208,888
Body typeSUVSUV
SegmentC-SegmentB-Segment
AssemblyCBUCBU
Powertrain
FuelElectricElectric
Number of Motors11
Motor Horsepower358 hp268 hp
Motor Torque373 Nm343 Nm
Battery TypeNickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC)Nickel-metal Hydride
Battery Capacity100 kWh69 kWh
EV Range590 km476 km
Charger Type (AC)Type 2Type 2
Charging Rate (AC)22 kW11 kW
Charger Type (DC)CCSCCS
Charging Rate (DC)400 kW175 kW
Drivetrain
TransmissionSingle Ratio AutomaticSingle Ratio Automatic
DrivelineRear Wheel DriveRear Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h6.5 seconds5.3 seconds
Top Speed200 km/h180 km/h
Dimensions
Length4,705 mm4,223 mm
Width1,920 mm1,837 mm
Height1,705 mm1,555 mm
Wheelbase2,900 mm2,650 mm
Weight2,260 kg
Doors55
Seats55
Boot Space630 litres318 litres
Front Tyre255/45R2024545R19
Rear Tyre255/45R20245/45R19
Spare TyreN/A, Tyre Repair Kit
Factory TyresContinental EcoContact 7Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV
Chassis
AssemblyChina (CBU)China (CBU)
ChassisUnibodyUnibody
Front SuspensionDouble WishbonesMacPherson Strut
Rear SuspensionMulti-linkMulti-link
Front Wheels20" Alloys19" Alloys
Rear Wheels20" Alloys19" Alloys
Front BrakesVentilated DiscsVentilated Discs
Rear BrakesSolid DiscsSolid Discs
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Safety
AirbagsDriver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain AirbagsDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain
ABS/EBD
Stability Control
Alarm
Immobilizer
Airbag Disable Function
Child Safety LockElectronic for Rear DoorsElectric for Rear Doors
Seat Belts5 Three-point5 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System
ISOFIXAvailable On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer SeatsAvailable on 2 Outer Rear Seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYes, Front and RearYes
Lane-keeping AssistSteering CorrectionSteering Correction
Collision Warning
Seatbelt ReminderAll SeatsFor All Seats
Lighting
HeadlampsLED Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto LevellingLED Reflector with Auto High Beam
TaillampsFull LEDFull LED
LED Daytime Running Lights
Rear Foglamps
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators
Cabin
Front SeatsDriver and Passenger Powered SeatsPower Adjustable Front Seats
Rear Seats60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment60:40 Split-folding
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic Climate ControlDual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
Rear Air-conRear AC Vents
SunroofPanoramic Glass RoofPanoramic Glass Roof
Power Sockets1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear
Interior LightingMap Lights & Ambient LightingMap Lights and Ambient Lights
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 System12.3" Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, Harman Kardon Sound System
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 with Stop and Go and Steering Assist
Steering Audio Control
Steering Tilt
Steering Telescopic
Boot OperationYes, Powered with Kick SensorPowered Boot, Contactless Opening
Parking Sensor Front6 Sensors6 Sensors
Parking Sensor Rear6 Sensors6 Sensors
Reverse CameraYes, With 360-degree CameraYes, 360-degree Camera
Auto ParkingYesYes
Folding Wing Mirrors
Bluetooth
Navigation
Head-up Display
Hill Start Assist
Instrument ClusterFull LCD MonitorFull LCD Monitor
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimitedUnlimited
Warranty Manufacturer4 years5 years
Warranty Notes8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty & 8-year/150000 High Voltage Components Warranty8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM 455RM 260

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 EX30 FAQ

Is the smart #5 or Volvo EX30 better?

The smart #5 is the better family EV on paper because it costs less, goes further and has far more boot space. The Volvo EX30 is the sharper pick if acceleration, warranty cover and compact city sizing matter more.

What is the price difference?

The Volvo EX30 costs RM9,088 more. The smart #5 is priced at RM199,800, while the Volvo EX30 is RM208,888.

Which one has more range and boot space?

The smart #5 has the clear advantage, with 590 km of range and 630 litres of boot space. The Volvo EX30 has 476 km of range and a 318-litre boot.

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