Verdict
At RM149,000, the Tesla Model 3 costs RM4,200 more than the RM144,800 Toyota Corolla, yet brings a 279 hp, 420 Nm rear motor, 62.5 kWh battery and 534 km claimed range. Its 170 kW DC charging capability and 594-litre boot make that gap easy to justify for a Malaysian buyer able to charge an EV. The Corolla counters with a 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty, versus four years/80,000 km, and is 309 mm narrower at 1,780 mm, which matters in tight parking spaces. But its 137 hp petrol engine cannot match the Tesla’s output or driver-assistance kit.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you can charge regularly and want 279 hp, 534 km of claimed range, a 594-litre boot and autonomous braking for RM4,200 more.
Pick the Toyota Corolla if you prefer petrol power, a 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty and a substantially narrower 1,780 mm body.
Key differences
- Price: Tesla Model 3 RM149,000; Toyota Corolla RM144,800.
- Powertrain output: Tesla Model 3 279 hp and 420 Nm; Toyota Corolla 137 hp and 172 Nm.
- Energy storage: Tesla Model 3 62.5 kWh battery and 534 km range; Toyota Corolla 50-litre petrol tank.
- Charging/fuelling hardware: Tesla Model 3 supports 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging; Toyota Corolla has no charging rates.
- Boot space: Tesla Model 3 594 litres; Toyota Corolla 470 litres.
- Warranty: Tesla Model 3 four years/80,000 km; Toyota Corolla five years/unlimited mileage.
Model 3
- 279 hp and 420 Nm rear motor
- 534 km claimed EV range with 170 kW DC charging
- 594-litre boot, autonomous braking and blind-spot monitoring
- Costs RM4,200 more than the Corolla.
- Four-year/80,000 km vehicle warranty is shorter than Toyota’s five-year unlimited-mileage cover.
- At 2,089 mm wide, it is 309 mm wider than the Corolla.
Corolla
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- 1,780 mm width is easier to place than the 2,089 mm Tesla
- Gets front and rear parking sensors plus a 360-degree camera
- 137 hp and 172 Nm are well below the Tesla’s 279 hp and 420 Nm.
- 470-litre boot is 124 litres smaller than the Tesla’s.
- Lacks the Tesla’s autonomous braking, blind-spot information system and lane-keeping steering correction.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM149,000 | RM144,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM280 | RM279✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 137 hp |
| Torque | — | 172 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 279 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 420 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 62.5 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 534 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 170 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Single-ratio Transmission | 7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Tesla | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.2 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 201 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,720 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 2,089 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Height | 1,441 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | — | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,365 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 594 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R18 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R18 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" Prismata Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Prismata Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| 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 | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 Speakers | 9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 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 Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 80,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 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 Model 3 & Corolla for sale
Model 3 vs Corolla FAQ
Is the Tesla Model 3 or Toyota Corolla better?
The Tesla Model 3 is the stronger pick if EV charging suits your routine: it costs only RM4,200 more but has 279 hp, 420 Nm, 534 km claimed range and a 594-litre boot. Choose the Corolla for its five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and narrower body.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM149,000 and the Toyota Corolla costs RM144,800, so the Tesla is RM4,200 more expensive.
Which has the larger boot?
The Tesla Model 3 has the larger boot at 594 litres, compared with 470 litres in the Toyota Corolla. That is a 124-litre advantage for the Tesla.