Verdict
At RM209,800, the smart #5 costs RM11,800 more than the RM198,000 Tesla Model Y, but its 100 kWh battery brings a 590 km range against 466 km and 400 kW DC charging against 175 kW. That matters on longer Malaysian interstate runs. The Tesla counters with a quicker 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time, an 854-litre boot and lower RM305 annual road tax versus RM455. The smart is the better-equipped charging and cabin-tech choice; the Tesla is the sharper practical buy if luggage space and initial cost matter more.
Pick the smart #5 if you want 590 km of range, 400 kW DC charging, a 360-degree camera and 20-speaker Sennheiser audio.
Pick the Tesla Model Y if you want the lower purchase price, a 854-litre boot and quicker 5.9-second sprint.
Key differences
- Price: smart #5 RM209,800; Tesla Model Y RM198,000.
- Battery and range: smart #5 100 kWh and 590 km; Tesla Model Y 60 kWh and 466 km.
- Charging: smart #5 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC; Tesla Model Y 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC.
- Performance: smart #5 358 hp, 373 Nm and 6.5 seconds; Tesla Model Y 295 hp, 420 Nm and 5.9 seconds.
- Boot space: smart #5 630 litres; Tesla Model Y 854 litres.
- Road tax: smart #5 RM455/year; Tesla Model Y RM305/year.
#5
- 590 km EV range from a 100 kWh battery.
- 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC charging.
- 360-degree camera, auto parking and head-up display.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 6.5 seconds versus 5.9 seconds.
- Smaller 630-litre boot versus 854 litres.
- Heavier at 2,260 kg versus 1,921 kg.
Model Y
- 854-litre boot space.
- Quicker 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time and 420 Nm.
- Heated and ventilated front seats, plus heated rear seats.
- 466 km range trails the smart #5's 590 km.
- 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC charging are lower than 22 kW and 400 kW.
- No front or rear parking sensors, 360-degree camera or head-up display.
What the #5 has over the Model Y
What the Model Y has over the #5
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 209 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the Model Y: 854 litres against 630.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM209,800 | RM198,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM455 | RM305✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,140/mo | RM2,020/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM5,703 | RM5,396✓ |
| Electricity / year (est.) | RM1,506 | RM1,144✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM7.53 | RM5.72✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM38,319 | RM34,225✓ |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 4.5 hours✓ | 5.5 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 20 min✓ | 25 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 800V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 358 hp✓ | 295 hp |
| Motor Torque | 373 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 100 kWh✓ | 60 kWh |
| EV Range | 590 km✓ | 466 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 400 kW✓ | 175 kW |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | Yes |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.5 seconds | 5.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 201 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 4,790 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 2,129 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,624 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,891 mm |
| Weight | 2,260 kg | 1,921 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 630 litres | 854 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/45R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 7 | Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 20 inch | 20 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Crossflow Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Crossflow Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto Levelling | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with LED Lighter |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated & Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment | 40:20:40 Split-Folding, Heated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents with Rear Screen |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| 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 | 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 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 |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Yes, Powered with Kick Sensor | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, With 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Powershare V2L via Tesla Outlet Adapter (RM350, sold separately) on cars built from October 2026 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty & 8-year/150000 High Voltage Components Warranty | 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 November 2026.
Used #5 & Model Y for sale
Our reviews & guides
smart #5
Tesla Model Y
#5 vs Model Y FAQ
Is the smart #5 or Tesla Model Y better?
The smart #5 is better for range, charging speed and parking technology. The Tesla Model Y is better for boot capacity, acceleration and lower annual road tax. Choose based on how often you make long trips versus carry bulky loads.
What is the price difference?
The smart #5 costs RM11,800 more than the Tesla Model Y. Its higher price brings a larger battery, 124 km more claimed range, faster AC and DC charging, and extra parking assistance hardware.
Which one charges faster?
The smart #5 charges faster on both systems: 22 kW AC versus 11 kW, and 400 kW DC versus 175 kW. Its 800V architecture also differs from the Tesla Model Y's 400V architecture.
How long does charging take?
The #5's 100.0 kWh battery takes about 4.5 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 20 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 400 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.
