Verdict
The RM4,400 gap between the RM95,000 Seres 3 and RM90,600 Toyota Vios buys a 161 hp, 300 Nm electric motor, 53.6 kWh battery and 340 km range, plus SUV packaging with a 525-litre boot. It is also 110 mm wider and rides on 18-inch wheels. The Vios answers with a lighter 1,015 kg sedan body, 5.2 L/100 km rated consumption and a more complete active-safety suite including pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Choose based on charging access, not just body style.
Pick the Seres 3 if home or workplace charging suits you and you want 161 hp, 300 Nm and a 525-litre SUV boot.
Pick the Toyota Vios if you want petrol refuelling convenience, 5.2 L/100 km rated economy and active safety including pre-collision braking.
Key differences
- Price: Seres 3 RM95,000; Toyota Vios RM90,600.
- Powertrain: Seres 3 has a 161 hp, 300 Nm electric motor; Vios has a 104 hp, 138 Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine.
- Energy use: Seres 3 has a 53.6 kWh battery and 340 km range; Vios is rated at 5.2 L/100 km with a 40-litre tank.
- Boot space: Seres 3 525 litres; Vios 475 litres.
- Dimensions: Seres 3 is 4,385 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and 1,650 mm tall; Vios is 4,425 mm, 1,740 mm and 1,480 mm.
- Warranty mileage: Seres 3 5 years/160,000 km; Vios 5 years/unlimited mileage.
3
- 161 hp and 300 Nm electric motor
- 525-litre boot and 60:40 split-fold rear seats
- Powered front seats, auto wipers and passive cruise control
- No blind-spot monitoring, pre-collision braking or rear cross-traffic alert
- Five-year warranty is capped at 160,000 km
- No front parking sensors or folding wing mirrors
Vios
- 5.2 L/100 km rated fuel economy
- Pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- 104 hp and 138 Nm are well behind the Seres 3's 161 hp and 300 Nm
- 475-litre boot is 50 litres smaller and the rear bench does not split-fold
- Manual front-seat adjustment and manual air-conditioning
What the 3 has over the Vios
What the Vios 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 is 110 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the 3: 525 litres against 475.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM95,000 | RM90,600✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM90✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM970/mo | RM925/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM2,718 | RM2,635✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,401✓ | RM2,070 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM7.00✓ | RM10.35 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM21,193✓ | RM23,974 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 4.9 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 65 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 104 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 138 Nm at 4,200 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 72.5 mm × 90.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 161 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 53.6 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 340 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 60 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | CVT with 7-speed Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Akashi Kikai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 5.2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,385 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,850 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Height | 1,650 mm | 1,480 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,655 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,650 kg | 1,015 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 475 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 195/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 195/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 16" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Chao Yang SU318a H/T | Toyo Proxes CR1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, 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 Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Front Departure Alert, Pedal Misoperation Control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | Fixed Bench |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Manual |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and 6 Speakers | 9" Touchscreen Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Manual Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 3D Panoramic View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, Premium Solar and Security Tint, Front Digital Video Recorder |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
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 & Vios for sale
Our reviews & guides
Seres 3
Toyota Vios
3 vs Vios FAQ
Is the Seres 3 or Toyota Vios better?
The Seres 3 is better for buyers with reliable charging who value stronger 161 hp/300 Nm performance, SUV seating and a 525-litre boot. The Vios is better for long-distance petrol convenience and its extra active-safety features.
What is the price difference?
The Seres 3 costs RM4,400 more than the Toyota Vios. That difference brings an electric powertrain, 53.6 kWh battery, 340 km claimed range, 18-inch wheels and a 50-litre larger boot.
Which has the better safety equipment?
The Toyota Vios has the stronger listed driver-assistance package: pre-collision braking, collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, steering correction, rear cross-traffic alert and a 3D panoramic camera. Both have six airbags, stability control and ISOFIX.
How long does charging take?
The 3's 53.6 kWh battery takes about 4.9 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 65 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 60 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The Vios is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the 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.
