Verdict
At RM175,000, the smart #3 undercuts the RM190,788 Subaru Crosstrek by RM15,788 while bringing a 268-hp, 343-Nm rear motor, 49-kWh battery and 325-km EV range. Its 2,785-mm wheelbase and 370-litre boot also beat the Subaru’s 2,670 mm and 315 litres. The Crosstrek answers with all-wheel drive, a 154-hp/196-Nm 2.0-litre boxer petrol engine, eight airbags and a five-year warranty. For a Malaysian buyer with charging access, the smart is the sharper-value choice; choose Subaru’s drivetrain if traction matters more.
The #3 Brabus (RM255,000) sits above every Crosstrek variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the smart #3 if you can charge regularly and want 268 hp, 325 km of EV range, a larger 370-litre boot and RM15,788 left in your pocket.
Pick the Subaru Crosstrek if all-wheel drive, a 63-litre petrol tank, eight airbags and a five-year manufacturer warranty matter more than EV performance and boot capacity.
Key differences
- Price: smart #3 RM175,000; Subaru Crosstrek RM190,788.
- Powertrain: smart #3 has one 268-hp, 343-Nm electric motor; Crosstrek has a 154-hp, 196-Nm 1,995-cc boxer-four petrol engine.
- Driveline: smart #3 rear-wheel drive; Crosstrek all-wheel drive.
- Wheelbase: smart #3 2,785 mm; Crosstrek 2,670 mm.
- Boot space: smart #3 370 litres; Crosstrek 315 litres.
- Road tax: smart #3 RM260 per year; Crosstrek RM438 per year.
#3
- 268-hp, 343-Nm motor and 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 49-kWh battery, 325-km range and 22-kW AC/150-kW DC charging.
- 370-litre boot, 360-degree camera and auto parking.
- Rear-wheel drive versus the Crosstrek's all-wheel drive.
- Seven airbags versus the Crosstrek's eight.
Crosstrek
- All-wheel drive with a 63-litre petrol tank.
- Eight airbags and front foglamps.
- Five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty and driver-seat memory.
- Costs RM15,788 more than the smart #3.
- 315-litre boot is 55 litres smaller than the smart #3's.
- 154 hp and 196 Nm trail the smart #3's 268 hp and 343 Nm.
What the #3 has over the Crosstrek
What the Crosstrek has over the #3
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The #3's wheelbase is 115 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The #3 is 44 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the #3: 370 litres against 315.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM175,000✓ | RM190,788 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM260✓ | RM438 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,785/mo✓ | RM1,950/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM4,798✓ | RM5,274 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,340 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.70 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM31,988 | — |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 2.2 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 25 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with direct injection and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,995 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 154 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 196 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| 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 | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.8 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,400 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,844 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,556 mm | 1,575 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,785 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 370 litres✓ | 315 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 16 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | — | 12 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Passenger Seat Cushion) |
| 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 Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual Sunshade for Glass Roof | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Yes, Powered | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, With 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 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. 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 November 2026.
Used #3 & Crosstrek for sale
Our reviews & guides
#3 vs Crosstrek FAQ
Is the smart #3 or Subaru Crosstrek better?
The smart #3 is the better buy if you have charging access: it costs less, has 268 hp and a 370-litre boot. The Crosstrek is better for buyers who specifically need all-wheel drive, petrol refuelling and eight airbags.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Crosstrek costs RM15,788 more than the smart #3.
Which one has more practical cargo space?
The smart #3 has the larger boot at 370 litres, compared with 315 litres for the Subaru Crosstrek. Both are five-seat SUVs with 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
How long does charging take?
The #3's 49.0 kWh battery takes about 2.2 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 150 kW peak.
Which has the better warranty?
The Crosstrek carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty against 4 years for the #3. #3: 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty.