Malaysia’s two national carmakers now both sell an electric car, and they’re priced close enough that you’ll probably end up comparing them. If you’re a city commuter thinking about going electric, here’s how the Perodua QV-E and the Proton eMas 5 stack up.
Meet the contenders
The Perodua QV-E is the brand’s first EV and the first to be developed entirely in-house. It’s a compact five-seater, 4,170 mm long and 1,502 mm tall on a 2,680 mm wheelbase. That makes it easy to park but roomy enough to feel like a proper car.
The Proton eMas 5 is a small electric hatchback, about 4,135 mm long and 1,580 mm tall. It’s Proton’s more affordable EV, sitting below the larger eMas 7 SUV, which starts around RM96,800 after a launch rebate and plays in a different price bracket.
The numbers that matter
Power and range. The QV-E has the stronger spec sheet. Under the bonnet is a 52.5 kWh LFP battery driving a 150 kW (201 hp) motor. Its official range is 370 km on the WLTP cycle.
The eMas 5 comes in two versions. The Premium has a 40.16 kWh battery, an 85 kW (114 hp) motor and a WLTP range of 325 km. The Prime is smaller, at 30.12 kWh and 225 km. That’s fine for short commutes, but I wouldn’t want it as my only car.
On paper the eMas 5 squeezes slightly more distance from each kWh: about 8 km per kWh, against about 7 km for the QV-E. Both are efficient. The QV-E just has a bigger battery and more power to use.
Charging. The QV-E supports 60 kW DC fast charging, taking about 30 minutes to go from 30 to 80 percent. At home, the eMas 5 uses 6.6 kW AC charging, which takes around 5.9 hours to fill the Premium from 10 to 100 percent. That’s easy to handle overnight or during a workday if you have a charger at home or at the office.
Driving feel. The eMas 5 is rear-wheel drive, and reviewers have called it surprisingly fun. The QV-E is front-wheel drive but has far more power. The eMas 5 Premium is calmer and more relaxed, while the QV-E should feel quicker off the mark.
Features and safety
The QV-E comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, an electric driver’s seat, a 360-degree camera, autonomous emergency braking and traffic jam assist. It also earned a five-star ASEAN NCAP rating.
The eMas 5 counters with a big 14.6-inch screen and six airbags. Full driver-assistance features and the 360 camera come only with the Premium (the base Prime has just the basics), so if safety tech matters to you, aim for the higher trim.
The price question (it’s a bit complicated)
| Perodua QV-E | Proton eMas 5 | Proton eMas 7 Prime | BYD Atto 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | RM63,499 (leasing), RM87,499 (outright)* | RM56,800 to RM69,800* | RM96,800* | RM100,820** |
| Length (mm) | 4,170 | 4,135 | 4,615 | 4,310 |
| Width (mm) | 1,800 | 1,805 | 1,901 | 1,830 |
| Height (mm) | 1,502 | 1,580 | 1,670 | 1,675 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,680 | 2,650 | 2,750 | 2,620 |
| Kerb weight (kg) | 1,600 | 1,230 to 1,305 | 1,662 | 1,590 |
| Min luggage capacity (l) | 320 | 375 | 461 | 400 |
| Max luggage capacity (l) | – | 1,320 | 1,877 | 1,340 |
| Front luggage capacity (l) | – | 70 | (blank) | – |
This is where things get interesting, because the two brands sell their cars quite differently.
The eMas 5 is simple. It’s priced at RM59,800 for the Prime and RM72,800 for the Premium, with the battery included. A RM3,000 rebate has been offered on top.
The QV-E lets you choose. When it launched, the price was RM80,000 without the battery, with a RM275 monthly battery subscription. Perodua has since cut prices several times, and the latest listings show RM53,499 with the battery subscription (reduced to RM215 currently), or RM77,499 for outright purchase.
The subscription looks cheap at first. But at launch, nine years of battery rental added up to RM29,700, so the total cost can end up much higher than the sticker price. If you plan to keep the car for years, do the math before choosing that route. Prices keep changing, so confirm current figures with a dealer.
Looking only at outright-purchase prices, the QV-E at RM77,499 is a few thousand ringgit above the eMas 5 Premium (RM69,800 to RM72,800) and gives you more battery and power in return.
So, which one?
- Pick the QV-E if you want more range and performance, a slightly taller and roomier body, and a strong safety rating. It also suits you if you’re comfortable with Perodua’s battery subscription or can pay the outright price.
- Pick the eMas 5 Premium if you want simplicity: one price with the battery included, rear-wheel-drive fun, and slightly better efficiency. Reviewers reckon its 325 km range is plenty for driving around town.
- Pick the eMas 5 Prime only if your daily drive is short and you want the lowest entry price.
Either way, a homegrown EV in Malaysia is no longer a novelty. It’s a real choice. Take both for a test drive and see which one fits how you live.