THE nation’s electric vehicle (EV) market is growing faster than almost any other vehicle segment.
According to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), EV sales jumped 106% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, while SUVs, now the default body style for most family cars above RM100,00, grew 19% over the same period.
MAA also raised its EV and hybrid sales forecast to 120,000 units from the initial target of 100,000.
With total industry volume forecasts revised up to 800,000 units for the year, MAA president Mohd Shamsor Mohd Nor has pointed to SUV demand and rapid EV growth as the two segments driving that revision.
With more models launching every few months, and prices still under RM200,00 for locally assembled (CKD) models till the end of 2027, EVs are now also a realistic option for anyone shopping for a family car.
Here’s a look at five of the best EV SUVs currently available in Malaysia, all priced well under that ceiling:
Chery Omoda E5
Since the brand’s relaunch in 2023, the Omoda E5 has become Chery’s most successful and best-selling model to date.
Priced from RM146,978, without insurance, this B-segment EV SUV comes with a 61kWh battery rated for 430km WLTP range and a 201hp motor that lets the car go from 0-100km/h in 7.2 seconds.
It seats five people and has 483 litres of boot space, while DC fast charging tops out at 80kW, getting from 30% to 80% in around 28 minutes, with 9.9kW AC for home charging.
It’s sold as a single, fully-specced variant and carries five-star Euro NCAP and ANCAP ratings – a strong safety baseline for family buyers.
However, reviewers have noted that rear legroom and boot space are average for the segment.
BYD Atto 2
BYD’s smallest, entry-level SUV in Malaysia and is tuned for city and highway driving rather than outright speed.
It's a sensible daily driver that uses a 51.1kWh battery for roughly 345km WLTP range and a 174hp motor.
It offers 400 litres of boot space, and 1,320 litres with rear seats folded, with reviewers consistently highlighting generous head and legroom for a car this size. It seats five comfortably and also has a flat rear floor that fits three adults reasonably well.
Meanwhile, DC charging is capped at 82kW (30% to 80% in about 30 minutes), with 7kW AC charging.
At RM100,820, it is one of the most affordable fully imported EVs on the market.
iCAUR V23
Offered in 2WD (RM119,800) and iWD (RM132,780) variants, the V23 delivers up to 360km NEDC range for the 2WD variant and 430km NEDC range for the iWD model.
It ships with a 12-function ADAS suite as standard and holds a five-star Asean NCAP rating – a notable feat given how few sub-RM150,000 EVs offer this level of driver-assisted tech out of the box.
The V23 also features five seats, though reviewers have noted that the boxy cabin more comfortably seats four, with generous head and legroom, while the middle rear seat is tight.
Boot space is modest at 234 litres, but is expandable to 744 litres with the rear seats folded.
DC charging reaches 85-104kW depending on the variant, which gets you from 10% to 80% in about 35 minutes, with 6.6kW AC charging as well.
Proton e.MAS 7
Based on the Road Transport Department's (JPJ) latest data, Proton’s e.MAS is the nation’s top EV brand of the year to date, with the e.MAS 7 ranking as the second best-selling EV model in the country, only behind its “little brother”, the e.MAS 5.
Priced from RM96,800 to RM118,800, with three variants to choose from: Prime, Premium and Premium Plus. There’s also a PHEV model for those who are still a little unsure about making the full switch to electric mobility.
The e.MAS 7 leads this group on practicality with 461 litres of boot space, rear air vents, and the fastest charging on this list at 11kW AC and 80kW DC charging.
Charging time from 30% to 80% takes 20 minutes using DC fast charging, while a full charge using an AC wallbox takes 4.9 hours for the Prime and 6.1 hours for the Premium.
Its 215hp motor and 320Nm of torque give it a 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds – the quickest on this list.
Perodua QV-E
Perodua’s first EV is the most affordable genuine SUV-shaped on this list. It's the most compact of the group, making it easier to park and manoeuvre.
It pairs a 52.5kWh battery with 370km of range and a 201hp/285Nm torque motor in a compact 4,170mm body.
Boot space, meanwhile, sits at a modest 320 litres, and while front seats are adjustable, reviewers flag tighter rear space and small rear windows compared to rivals.
DC charging is 60kW (30% to 80% in 30 minutes), with 6.6kW AC charging. Pricing starts at RM69,999 with the Battery-as-a-Service leasing package, plus an RM215 monthly battery subscription, or RM93,999 for an outright purchase.
