Verdict
The smart #3 asks RM15,200 more, but brings a 268 hp/343 Nm rear motor, 49 kWh battery and a claimed 325 km range, plus 150 kW DC charging and V2L. It is the sharper technology-led choice if home or workplace charging is sorted. The Tucson counters with a far larger 582-litre boot, 54-litre petrol tank and an eight-year/160,000-km vehicle warranty. For Malaysian family duty and long runs without charging plans, the Hyundai is the more rational buy; the smart earns its premium through EV performance and driver-assistance hardware.
Pick the Hyundai Tucson if you need the 582-litre boot, petrol flexibility and eight-year/160,000-km vehicle warranty.
Pick the smart #3 if you can charge regularly and want 268 hp, 343 Nm, 150 kW DC charging and more active safety equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Tucson RM159,800; smart #3 RM175,000.
- Powertrain: Tucson 178 hp and 264 Nm 1.6-litre turbo petrol; smart #3 268 hp and 343 Nm single electric motor.
- Storage: Tucson 582-litre boot; smart #3 370-litre boot.
- Dimensions: Tucson is 4,630 mm long with a 2,755 mm wheelbase; smart #3 is 4,400 mm long with a 2,785 mm wheelbase.
- Safety: Tucson has six airbags and no lane-keeping assist; smart #3 has seven airbags, steering correction and front-and-rear autonomous braking.
- Warranty: Tucson has an eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty; smart #3 has a four-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty, plus an…
Tucson
- 582-litre boot is 212 litres bigger.
- Eight-year/160,000-km vehicle warranty.
- 54-litre petrol tank suits trips beyond charging coverage.
- Six airbags versus the smart #3’s seven.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping steering correction.
- 178 hp and 264 Nm trail the smart #3’s 268 hp and 343 Nm.
#3
- 268 hp and 343 Nm rear motor.
- 150 kW DC and 22 kW AC charging, plus 3.3 kW V2L.
- Seven airbags, front-and-rear autonomous braking and auto parking.
- RM15,200 dearer to buy and RM140 dearer in annual road tax.
- 370-litre boot is 212 litres smaller.
- Four-year vehicle warranty is half the Tucson’s eight years.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM159,800✓ | RM175,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM260 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 178 hp at 5,500 rpm | — |
| Torque | 264 Nm at 1,500 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 75.6 mm × 89 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 268 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 343 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 49 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 325 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission | — |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 201 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,630 mm | 4,400 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,844 mm |
| Height | 1,665 mm | 1,556 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,755 mm | 2,785 mm |
| Weight | 1,521 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 54 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 582 litres✓ | 370 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | — | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row Seats | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Passenger Seat | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Sunshade for Glass Roof |
| Audio | 12.3" Curved Widescreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Yes, Powered |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 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 Tucson & #3 for sale
Tucson vs #3 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Tucson or smart #3 better?
The Tucson is better for luggage capacity, petrol convenience and its eight-year vehicle warranty. The smart #3 is better for EV performance, charging capability and active safety, provided its claimed 325 km range fits your routine.
What is the price difference?
The smart #3 costs RM175,000, which is RM15,200 more than the Hyundai Tucson at RM159,800.
Which has more boot space?
The Hyundai Tucson has the larger boot at 582 litres, against 370 litres in the smart #3. That is a 212-litre advantage for the Hyundai.
