Verdict
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM149,000, RM16,030 less than the RM165,030 Kia Optima, yet its 279 hp/420 Nm motor reaches 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds against 7.4 seconds. Its 62.5 kWh battery is rated for 534 km and DC charging reaches 170 kW, so it is the lower-tax, lower-running-cost route on paper at RM280 yearly road tax. The Optima counters with a longer 4,855 mm body, ventilated front seats, a full-size spare and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. Choose by charging access, not badge.
The Model 3 Performance AWD (RM232,000) sits above every Optima variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the Kia Optima if you need a 4,855 mm petrol sedan with ventilated front seats, a 70-litre tank, full-size spare wheel and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you can charge regularly and want RM16,030 lower entry cost, 534 km claimed range, 6.2-second acceleration and more active safety kit.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Optima RM165,030; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Performance: Optima 242 hp/350 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds; Model 3 279 hp/420 Nm and 6.2 seconds.
- Energy: Optima uses petrol at 8.5 L/100 km with a 70-litre tank; Model 3 has a 62.5 kWh battery and 534 km range.
- Charging: Optima has no charging provision; Model 3 supports 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging.
- Boot space: Optima 510 litres; Model 3 594 litres.
- Length and road tax: Optima 4,855 mm and RM379/year; Model 3 4,720 mm and RM280/year.
Optima
- Ventilated, heated power front seats with driver memory.
- Full-size 18-inch alloy spare wheel.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.
- Costs RM16,030 more.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time of 7.4 seconds versus 6.2 seconds.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot system or lane-keeping assistance.
Model 3
- 534 km claimed EV range and 170 kW DC charging.
- 594-litre boot, 84 litres larger than the Optima's.
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot information and adaptive cruise control.
- Four-year/80,000 km manufacturer warranty versus five years with unlimited mileage.
- No listed ventilated front seats, driver-seat memory or rear door sunshades.
- No spare tyre is listed.
What the Optima has over the Model 3
What the Model 3 has over the Optima
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Model 3 is 229 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the Model 3: 594 litres against 510.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM165,030 | RM149,000✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM280✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,685/mo | RM1,520/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM4,604 | RM4,122✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM3,383 | RM1,040✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM16.92 | RM5.20✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM41,829 | RM27,209✓ |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | — | 5.7 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | — | 25 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 242 hp at 6,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 350 Nm at 1,350 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 86 mm × 86 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 |
| V2L | — | Yes |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed Automatic | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Tesla |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 8.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 201 km/h |
| Co2 | 191 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,855 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,455 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,805 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,580 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 510 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/45R18 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/45R18 | 255/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size 18" Alloy | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 3 | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 19 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 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 | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Dynamic LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated and Ventilated, with Memory Function for Driver | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Rear | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear door window shades | — |
| Audio | 7.0" touchscreen with 6 speakers | 16" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 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 Push Button | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). 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 Optima & Model 3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
Kia Optima
Tesla Model 3
Optima vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the Kia Optima or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is the stronger buy for buyers with reliable charging: it is RM16,030 cheaper, accelerates in 6.2 seconds, has 534 km claimed range and more active safety equipment. The Kia Optima suits those who prioritise petrol refuelling and its ventilated seats.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM149,000 and the Kia Optima costs RM165,030, so the Tesla is RM16,030 cheaper.
Which has the better warranty?
The Kia Optima has the longer general cover at five years with unlimited mileage. The Tesla Model 3 has a four-year/80,000 km manufacturer warranty, plus separate eight-year/160,000 km battery and drive unit coverage.
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.
Which one is locally assembled?
The Optima is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the Model 3 is fully imported (CBU) from China. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.