Verdict
The Tesla Model 3 is the sharper ownership case at RM149,000: its 62.5 kWh battery delivers a claimed 534 km, 68 km more than the Model Y, while annual road tax is RM280 rather than RM305. The RM49,000 dearer Model Y is 70 mm longer, 183 mm taller and carries 854 litres in the boot against 594 litres, so it suits buyers who need SUV space. It is also quicker to 100 km/h by 0.3 seconds and brings more cabin kit, but the Model 3’s range and price advantage are substantial.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if 534 km of claimed range and a RM49,000 lower entry price matter more than SUV cargo space and extra comfort equipment.
Pick the Tesla Model Y if you need its 854-litre boot, five-door SUV body and heated, ventilated front seats.
Key differences
- Price: Tesla Model 3 RM149,000; Tesla Model Y RM198,000.
- EV range: Tesla Model 3 534 km; Tesla Model Y 466 km.
- Battery capacity: Tesla Model 3 62.5 kWh; Tesla Model Y 60 kWh.
- 0-100 km/h: Tesla Model 3 6.2 seconds; Tesla Model Y 5.9 seconds.
- Boot space: Tesla Model 3 594 litres; Tesla Model Y 854 litres.
- Height: Tesla Model 3 1,441 mm; Tesla Model Y 1,624 mm.
Model 3
- RM49,000 cheaper to buy
- 534 km claimed range, 68 km ahead
- Smaller 4,720 mm sedan body
- 594-litre boot trails the Model Y's 854 litres
- No heated or ventilated front seats
- 7-speaker audio versus the Model Y's 9 speakers
Model Y
- 854-litre boot and five doors
- Heated and ventilated front seats, plus heated rear seats
- Quicker 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- RM49,000 more expensive
- 466 km claimed range is 68 km shorter
- Larger 4,790 mm by 2,129 mm body
What the Model 3 has over the Model Y
What the Model Y has over the Model 3
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Model Y is 40 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the Model Y: 854 litres against 594.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM149,000✓ | RM198,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM280✓ | RM305 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,520/mo✓ | RM2,020/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM4,122✓ | RM5,396 |
| Electricity / year (est.) | RM1,040✓ | RM1,144 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM5.20✓ | RM5.72 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM27,209✓ | RM34,225 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 5.7 hours | 5.5 hours✓ |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 25 min | 25 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 279 hp | 295 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 420 Nm | 420 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 62.5 kWh✓ | 60 kWh |
| EV Range | 534 km✓ | 466 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 170 kW | 175 kW✓ |
| V2L | Yes | Yes |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Single-ratio Transmission | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Tesla | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.2 seconds | 5.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 201 km/h | 201 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,720 mm | 4,790 mm |
| Width | 2,089 mm | 2,129 mm |
| Height | 1,441 mm | 1,624 mm |
| Wheelbase | — | 2,891 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,921 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 594 litres | 854 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R18 | 255/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R18 | 255/45R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV | Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Prismata Alloy | 19" Crossflow Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Prismata Alloy | 19" Crossflow Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with LED Lighter |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated & Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding, Heated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents with Rear Screen |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 16" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 Speakers | 16" 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 to Start) | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers, Powershare V2L via Tesla Outlet Adapter (RM350, sold separately) on cars built from October 2026 | Powershare V2L via Tesla Outlet Adapter (RM350, sold separately) on cars built from October 2026 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 80,000 km | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance) | 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used Model 3 & Model Y for sale
Our reviews & guides
Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model Y
Model 3 vs Model Y FAQ
Is the Tesla Model 3 or Tesla Model Y better?
The Model 3 is better for lower cost and longer claimed range: 534 km versus 466 km. The Model Y is better if carrying capacity and cabin equipment matter, with an 854-litre boot and heated, ventilated front seats.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model Y costs RM49,000 more than the Tesla Model 3: RM198,000 against RM149,000.
Which Tesla has more boot space?
The Tesla Model Y has the larger boot at 854 litres, 260 litres more than the Tesla Model 3's 594 litres. Both seat five and have 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
How long does charging take?
The Model 3's 62.5 kWh battery takes about 5.7 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 170 kW peak. The Model Y's 60.0 kWh battery takes about 5.5 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 175 kW peak.