Car Buyer's Guide

smart #5 vs Tesla Model Y

smart #5

smart #5

Tesla Model Y

Tesla Model Y

Verdict

At RM209,800, the smart #5 costs RM11,800 more than the RM198,000 Tesla Model Y, but brings a 100 kWh battery, 590 km range and 400 kW DC charging against 60 kWh, 466 km and 175 kW. That is meaningful for longer intercity use and faster high-power charging stops. The Model Y counters with a quicker 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time, 854-litre boot and lower RM305 annual road tax. Choose based on charging and range priorities, because the Tesla is also 339 kg lighter and RM11,800 cheaper.

#5

Pick the smart #5 if you want the longer 590 km range, 400 kW DC charging and a 22 kW AC charger.

Model Y

Pick the Tesla Model Y if you want to spend RM11,800 less, carry more in its 854-litre boot and get quicker 0-100 km/h acceleration.

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 0-100 km/h; Tesla Model Y 295 hp, 420 Nm and 5.9 seconds.
  • Boot space and weight: smart #5 630 litres and 2,260 kg; Tesla Model Y 854 litres and 1,921 kg.
  • Road tax: smart #5 RM455 yearly; Tesla Model Y RM305 yearly.

#5

  • 590 km range from a 100 kWh battery.
  • 400 kW DC and 22 kW AC charging.
  • 360-degree camera, auto parking and head-up display.
  • RM11,800 dearer to buy and RM150 more per year in road tax.
  • 630-litre boot is 224 litres smaller.
  • Slower 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds.

Model Y

  • RM198,000 price and RM305 annual road tax.
  • 854-litre boot and 339 kg lower weight.
  • 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time, plus heated and ventilated front seats.
  • 466 km range is 124 km shorter.
  • 175 kW DC and 11 kW AC charging trail the smart #5.
  • No front or rear parking sensors, 360-degree camera, auto parking or head-up display.

What the #5 has over the Model Y

Airbag Disable FunctionSun ShadeParking Sensor FrontHead-up DisplayParking Sensor RearAuto ParkingInstrument Cluster

What the Model Y has over the #5

Electric Steering Adjustment

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.

#5 4,705 × 1,920 × 1,705 mm · wheelbase 2,900 mmModel Y 4,790 × 2,129 × 1,624 mm · wheelbase 2,891 mm
1,7054,705 mmWheelbase 2,900 mm1,6244,790 mmWheelbase 2,891 mm

Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.

Price & overview
PriceRM209,800RM198,000✓
Body typeSUVSUV
SegmentCompact ExecutiveCompact Executive
AssemblyCBUCBU
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM455RM305✓
Monthly instalment (est.)RM2,140/moRM2,020/mo✓
Insurance / year (est.)RM5,703RM5,396✓
Electricity / year (est.)RM1,506RM1,144✓
Energy cost / 100 km (est.)RM7.53RM5.72✓
5-year running costs (est.)RM38,319RM34,225✓
Charging (estimated)
AC charge 0–100% (est.)4.5 hours✓5.5 hours
DC charge 10–80% (est.)20 min✓25 min
Powertrain
Engine Tech800V architecture400V architecture
FuelElectricElectric
Number of Motors11
Motor Horsepower358 hp✓295 hp
Motor Torque373 Nm420 Nm✓
Battery Capacity100 kWh✓60 kWh
EV Range590 km✓466 km
Charging Rate (AC)22 kW✓11 kW
Charging Rate (DC)400 kW✓175 kW
V2L3.3 kWYes
Drivetrain
TransmissionSingle Ratio AutomaticSingle Ratio Automatic
DrivelineRear Wheel DriveRear Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h6.5 seconds5.9 seconds✓
Top Speed200 km/h201 km/h✓
Dimensions
Length4,705 mm4,790 mm
Width1,920 mm2,129 mm
Height1,705 mm1,624 mm
Wheelbase2,900 mm2,891 mm
Weight2,260 kg1,921 kg
Doors55
Seats55
Boot Space630 litres854 litres✓
Front Tyre255/45R20255/45R19
Rear Tyre255/45R20255/45R19
Factory TyresContinental EcoContact 7Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV
Chassis
AssemblyChina (CBU)China (CBU)
Front SuspensionDouble WishbonesDouble Wishbones
Rear SuspensionMulti-linkMulti-link
Front Wheels20" Alloys19" Crossflow Alloys
Rear Wheels20" Alloys19" Crossflow Alloys
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Safety
Airbags6 (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 LockElectronic for Rear DoorsManual for Rear Doors
Seat Belts5 Three-point5 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System✓✓
ISOFIXAvailable On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer SeatsAvailable on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYes, Front and RearYes
Lane-keeping AssistSteering CorrectionSteering Correction
Collision Warning✓✓
Seatbelt ReminderAll SeatsAll Seats
Lighting
HeadlampsLED Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto LevellingAdaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam
TaillampsFull LEDFull LED with LED Lighter
LED Daytime Running Lights✓✓
Rear Foglamps✓✓
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators✓✓
Cabin
Front SeatsDriver and Passenger Powered SeatsPower Adjustable Front Seats, Heated & Ventilated
Rear Seats60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment40:20:40 Split-Folding, Heated
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic Climate ControlDual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter
Rear Air-conRear AC VentsRear Vents with Rear Screen
SunroofPanoramic Glass RoofPanoramic Glass Roof
Power Sockets1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear1 Front, 4 Front USB-C
Interior LightingMap Lights & Ambient LightingMap Lights & Ambient Lighting
Cup Holders2 Front, 2 Rear2 Front, 2 Rear
Sun ShadePowered Sunroof Shade—
Audio13" Twin AMOLED Touchscreens with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Sennheiser Sound System16" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 9 Speakers
Convenience
Power WindowsFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti PinchFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch
Engine StartKeyless (Depress Brake Pedal)Keyless (Depress Brake to Start)
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Operation
Auto Headlamps✓✓
Auto Wipers✓✓
Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam AssistAdaptive Cruise Control
Steering Audio Control✓✓
Steering Tilt✓✓
Steering Telescopic✓✓
Electric Steering Adjustment—✓
Boot OperationYes, Powered with Kick SensorPowered Boot
Parking Sensor Front6 Sensors—
Parking Sensor Rear6 Sensors—
Reverse CameraYes, With 360-degree CameraYes
Auto ParkingYes—
Folding Wing Mirrors✓✓
Bluetooth✓✓
Navigation✓✓
Head-up Display✓—
Hill Start Assist✓✓
Instrument ClusterFull LCD Monitor—
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Convenience Notes—Powershare V2L via Tesla Outlet Adapter (RM350, sold separately) on cars built from October 2026
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimited✓80,000 km
Warranty Manufacturer4 years4 years
Warranty Notes8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty & 8-year/150000 High Voltage Components Warranty8-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 October 2026.

Our reviews & guides

#5 vs Model Y FAQ

Is the smart #5 or Tesla Model Y better?

The smart #5 is better for range and charging, with 590 km, 400 kW DC and 22 kW AC capability. The Tesla Model Y is better for price, boot space and acceleration: RM198,000, 854 litres and 5.9 seconds to 100 km/h.

What is the price difference?

The smart #5 costs RM209,800 and the Tesla Model Y costs RM198,000, so the smart is RM11,800 more expensive. Its annual road tax is also RM455 versus RM305 for the Tesla.

Which one charges faster?

The smart #5 charges faster on both AC and DC. It supports 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC charging, while the Tesla Model Y is rated at 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC.

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.

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