Verdict
At RM209,800, the smart #5 undercuts the Volvo EC40 by RM39,088 while bringing a 100 kWh battery, 590 km range and 400 kW DC charging against 70 kWh, 488 km and 200 kW. Its 358 hp motor also cuts the 0-100 km/h time to 6.5 seconds, versus 7.3 seconds. The EC40 counters with all-wheel drive, a five-year warranty and one extra airbag. For Malaysian family use, the smart’s 630-litre boot and 2,900 mm wheelbase are hard to ignore, but its RM455 annual road tax is higher than the Volvo’s RM220.
Pick the smart #5 if you want the lower purchase price, 102 km more claimed range, much faster charging and a 630-litre boot.
Pick the Volvo EC40 if all-wheel drive, a five-year manufacturer warranty and lower RM220 annual road tax matter more than range and outright pace.
Key differences
- Price: smart #5 RM209,800; Volvo EC40 RM248,888.
- Battery and range: smart #5 100 kWh and 590 km; Volvo EC40 70 kWh and 488 km.
- DC charging: smart #5 400 kW; Volvo EC40 200 kW.
- Performance: smart #5 358 hp and 6.5 seconds to 100 km/h; Volvo EC40 235 hp and 7.3 seconds.
- Driveline and road tax: smart #5 rear-wheel drive and RM455/year; Volvo EC40 all-wheel drive and RM220/year.
- Boot space: smart #5 630 litres; Volvo EC40 413 litres.
#5
- RM39,088 cheaper to buy.
- 590 km claimed range and 400 kW DC charging.
- 630-litre boot, head-up display and 3.3 kW V2L.
- Rear-wheel drive versus the EC40's all-wheel drive.
- RM455 annual road tax versus RM220.
- Four-year manufacturer warranty versus five years.
EC40
- All-wheel drive.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.
- Seven airbags and a five-star EuroNCAP rating.
- RM39,088 more expensive.
- 488 km range is 102 km shorter.
- 200 kW DC and 11 kW AC charging trail the smart's 400 kW and 22 kW.
What the #5 has over the EC40
What the EC40 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 #5's wheelbase is 198 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The #5 is 47 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the #5: 630 litres against 413.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM209,800✓ | RM248,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM455 | RM220✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,140/mo✓ | RM2,540/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM5,703✓ | RM6,719 |
| Electricity / year (est.) | RM1,506 | RM1,275✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM7.53 | RM6.37✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM38,319✓ | RM41,068 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 4.5 hours✓ | 6.4 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✓ | 235 hp |
| Motor Torque | 373 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 100 kWh✓ | 70 kWh |
| EV Range | 590 km✓ | 488 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 400 kW✓ | 200 kW |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volvo |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.5 seconds✓ | 7.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 4,440 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,873 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,582 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 2,260 kg | 2,185 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 630 litres✓ | 413 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 7 | Continental EcoContact 6 VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sports Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags) | 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 | Electronic for Rear Doors | Electronic 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 2 Outer Rear 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 Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto Levelling | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full 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 |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Fixed Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1x 12V in front, 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear |
| 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 | 9" Portrait Android Automotive OS Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto |
| 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 Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Yes, Powered with Kick Sensor | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, With 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty & 8-year/150000 High Voltage Components Warranty | 8-year/160,000 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. 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 #5 & EC40 for sale
Our reviews & guides
#5 vs EC40 FAQ
Is the smart #5 or Volvo EC40 better?
The smart #5 is the stronger practical buy: it costs less, has 590 km range, charges at up to 400 kW and carries 630 litres. Choose the Volvo EC40 for all-wheel drive, its five-year warranty and lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EC40 costs RM248,888, which is RM39,088 more than the smart #5 at RM209,800.
Which one charges faster?
The smart #5 charges faster on both systems: 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC, compared with the Volvo EC40's 11 kW AC and 200 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 EC40's 70.0 kWh battery takes about 6.4 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 200 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The EC40 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the #5 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.