Verdict
At RM198,000, the Tesla Model Y gives a Malaysian buyer far more outright ability: 295 hp and 420 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h sprint to 5.9 seconds, against 8.7 seconds for the 172 hp Toyota Urban Cruiser. It also travels 40 km further at 466 km, DC-charges at 175 kW and carries 854 litres of luggage. The Urban Cruiser counters with a lower RM120 annual road tax, 505 mm less length and a 5-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty. It is the easier urban-sized EV, but the Model Y is the more complete same-price SUV.
Pick the Tesla Model Y if you want 466 km of range, 175 kW DC charging, 854 litres of boot space and markedly quicker performance for the same price.
Pick the Toyota Urban Cruiser if a 4,285 mm footprint, RM120 annual road tax, front and rear parking sensors with a 360-degree camera, and unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty matter more than pace and cargo room.
Key differences
- Performance: Tesla Model Y has 295 hp, 420 Nm and reaches 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds; Toyota Urban Cruiser has 172 hp, 193 Nm and takes 8.7 seconds.
- Range and charging: Tesla Model Y manages 466 km, 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC; Toyota Urban Cruiser manages 426 km, 7 kW AC and 67 kW DC.
- Boot space: Tesla Model Y has 854 litres; Toyota Urban Cruiser has 306 litres.
- Size: Tesla Model Y is 4,790 mm long with a 2,891 mm wheelbase; Toyota Urban Cruiser is 4,285 mm long with a 2,700 mm wheelbase.
- Annual road tax: Tesla Model Y costs RM305; Toyota Urban Cruiser costs RM120.
- Warranty: Tesla Model Y has a 4-year/80,000 km vehicle warranty; Toyota Urban Cruiser has a 5-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty.
Model Y
- 295 hp and 420 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds.
- 466 km range and 175 kW DC charging.
- 854-litre boot, powered tailgate and heated, ventilated power front seats.
- RM305 annual road tax versus the Urban Cruiser's RM120.
- No front or rear parking sensors, where the Urban Cruiser gets four at each end and a 360-degree camera.
- 4,790 mm long and 2,129 mm wide, versus 4,285 mm and 1,800 mm.
Urban Cruiser
- RM120 annual road tax and a 5-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty.
- Four front and four rear parking sensors plus a 360-degree camera.
- 505 mm shorter and 329 mm narrower than the Model Y.
- 172 hp, 193 Nm and 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time trail the Model Y's 295 hp, 420 Nm and 5.9 seconds.
- 426 km range, 7 kW AC charging and 67 kW DC charging fall behind the Model Y's 466 km, 11 kW and 175 kW.
- 306-litre boot is 548 litres smaller than the Model Y's 854 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM198,000 | RM198,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 295 hp✓ | 172 hp |
| Motor Torque | 420 Nm✓ | 193 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 60 kWh | 61.1 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 466 km✓ | 426 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW✓ | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 175 kW✓ | 67 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.9 seconds✓ | 8.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 201 km/h✓ | 150 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,790 mm | 4,285 mm |
| Width | 2,129 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,624 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,891 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,921 kg | 1,788 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 854 litres✓ | 306 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV | MRF Wanderer Ecotred |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | India (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Crossflow Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Crossflow Alloys | 18" 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 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 | 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 for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with LED Lighter | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated & Ventilated | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding, Heated | 40:20:40 Split-folding & Sliding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Rear Screen | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Front Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 9 Speakers | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-speaker JBL Sound System |
| 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 |
| 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 | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 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 |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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) | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Battery, Inverter and PCU |
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 Y & Urban Cruiser for sale
Model Y vs Urban Cruiser FAQ
Is the Tesla Model Y or Toyota Urban Cruiser better?
The Tesla Model Y is the better all-round choice at the same RM198,000: it is quicker, goes 40 km farther, charges much faster and has an 854-litre boot. Choose the Toyota Urban Cruiser for its smaller dimensions, lower road tax and longer vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
There is no price difference: both the Tesla Model Y and Toyota Urban Cruiser cost RM198,000. The Tesla's annual road tax is RM305, while the Toyota's is RM120.
Which one is easier to park in town?
The Toyota Urban Cruiser is easier to place in tight spaces. It is 4,285 mm long and 1,800 mm wide, compared with 4,790 mm and 2,129 mm for the Model Y, and adds front and rear sensors plus a 360-degree camera.
