Verdict
The smart #3 makes the cleaner case for city-based Malaysian EV buyers: its 49 kWh battery is rated for 325 km, it accepts 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging, and its 343 Nm rear motor reaches 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. It is RM15,788 cheaper too. The Crosstrek answers with all-wheel drive, a 63-litre petrol tank and eight airbags, removing charging from the routine. Yet the smart has a 115 mm longer wheelbase, 55 litres more boot space, front parking sensors and auto parking.
Pick the smart #3 if you can charge regularly and want 268 hp, a 325 km EV range and a larger 370-litre boot for less money.
Pick the Subaru Crosstrek if all-wheel drive, a 63-litre petrol tank, eight airbags and dual-zone climate control matter more than EV running.
Key differences
- Price: smart #3 RM175,000; Subaru Crosstrek RM190,788.
- Power: smart #3 has a 268 hp electric motor; Subaru Crosstrek has a 154 hp 2.0-litre petrol engine.
- Torque: smart #3 produces 343 Nm; Subaru Crosstrek produces 196 Nm.
- Driveline: smart #3 is rear-wheel drive; Subaru Crosstrek is all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: smart #3 has 370 litres; Subaru Crosstrek has 315 litres.
- Airbags: smart #3 has 7; Subaru Crosstrek has 8.
#3
- 268 hp and 343 Nm electric motor with a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 49 kWh battery, 325 km range, 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging.
- 370-litre boot, 2,785 mm wheelbase, 360-degree camera and auto parking.
- Seven airbags versus the Crosstrek's eight.
- Rear-wheel drive versus the Crosstrek's all-wheel drive.
- Single-zone climate control versus dual-zone climate control.
Crosstrek
- All-wheel drive and a 63-litre petrol tank.
- Eight airbags, including a front passenger seat-cushion airbag.
- Dual-zone climate control, front foglamps and a space-saver spare tyre.
- RM15,788 higher purchase price.
- 154 hp and 196 Nm versus the smart #3's 268 hp and 343 Nm.
- 315-litre boot and 2,670 mm wheelbase are smaller than the smart #3's 370 litres and 2,785 mm.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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.
Used #3 & Crosstrek for sale
#3 vs Crosstrek FAQ
Is the smart #3 or Subaru Crosstrek better?
The smart #3 is better for buyers with dependable charging who want stronger performance, more boot space and EV operation. Choose the Crosstrek instead if all-wheel drive, petrol refuelling and its extra airbag are the priorities.
What is the price difference?
The smart #3 is RM15,788 cheaper than the Subaru Crosstrek.
Which has the larger boot?
The smart #3 has the larger boot at 370 litres, compared with 315 litres in the Subaru Crosstrek. That is a 55-litre advantage.
