Verdict
The smart #5 costs RM39,088 less at RM209,800, yet brings a 100 kWh battery, 590 km range and 400 kW DC charging against the Volvo EC40’s 70 kWh, 488 km and 200 kW. It is also quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds versus 7.3 seconds, and its 630-litre boot is far more useful than 413 litres. The EC40 counters with all-wheel drive, seven airbags and a five-year vehicle warranty. For a Malaysian buyer prioritising charging speed, cabin packaging and price, the smart has the clearer numerical advantage; choose the Volvo for AWD and its stronger safety count.
Pick the smart #5 if you want 590 km of range, 400 kW DC charging and a 630-litre boot for RM209,800.
Pick the Volvo EC40 if all-wheel drive, seven airbags and a five-year vehicle warranty matter more than range and charging speed.
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.
- Boot space: smart #5 630 litres; Volvo EC40 413 litres.
- Driveline: smart #5 rear-wheel drive; Volvo EC40 all-wheel drive.
#5
- RM39,088 lower purchase price.
- 100 kWh battery, 590 km range and 400 kW DC charging.
- 630-litre boot and 3.3 kW V2L.
- Rear-wheel drive versus the EC40’s all-wheel drive.
- Four-year vehicle warranty versus the EC40’s five years.
- Six airbags versus the EC40’s seven airbags.
EC40
- All-wheel drive.
- Seven airbags and a five-star Euro NCAP rating.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty.
- RM39,088 more expensive.
- 70 kWh battery and 488 km range trail the smart’s 100 kWh and 590 km.
- 200 kW DC and 11 kW AC charging are half the smart’s 400 kW and 22 kW rates.
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 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | 24 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 20 inch | 20 inch |
| 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 November 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 better numerical buy: it costs RM39,088 less, has 102 km more range, doubles the EC40’s AC and DC charging rates, and has a 217-litre larger boot. The EC40 is the pick for all-wheel drive, seven airbags and a five-year vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EC40 costs RM248,888 and the smart #5 costs RM209,800, so the EC40 is RM39,088 more expensive.
Which has the longer EV range and faster charging?
The smart #5 has the longer 590 km range versus 488 km for the Volvo EC40. Its 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC charging ratings also double the EC40’s 11 kW AC and 200 kW DC figures.
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.
