Since the Malaysian launch of the 2019 Mazda 3, the fourth-generation sedan and hatchback models received mixed responses from the public, largely due to pricing – from RM140k to RM160k – and the 1.5 litre SkyActiv-G base engine offering.
Well, Mazda’s immediate reaction to that is to field the entire C-segment line-up at the Sepang International Circuit for two driving exercises. The first is a high-speed run around the 5.5-km track, which gave us the opportunity to sample both the 1.5 litre and 2.0 litre variants, as their new respective SkyActiv chassis.
Due to time constraints, our assessment of the vehicles were only limited to their performance (outright acceleration, gear shift characteristics, and braking), handling, and the improved G-Vectoring Control Plus. To find out how the cars fared, be sure to watch our first drive video above.
To recap, the 2019 Mazda 3 is fully imported from Japan. Three variants are available, starting with the 1.5, 2.0 High, and 2.0 High Plus, priced at RM139,620, RM150,059 and RM160,059 respectively. Included in the price is a five-year/100,000 km warranty, five-year/100,000 free maintenance package, as well as SkyTint security window tint.
GALLERY: 2019 Mazda 3 Hatchback 2.0L High Plus
GALLERY: 2019 Mazda 3 Sedan 2.0L High Plus
GALLERY: 2019 Mazda 3 Sedan 1.5L
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1.5 engine with no turbo. Joke!
Couldn’t agree more.
Even bigger joke. The price.
For the top 2.0, you can get yourself into a D segment. I used to hammer VW for over pricing Thier golf 1.4TSI at 155k… this 3, is even more expensive.
And at that price, you don’t even get the new skyactive X engines.
(Like) Honda Civic 1.5 174hp.
(Dislike) Mazda3 1.5 118hp
150hp only la ketam
Yours is type R?
This car is a joke. Mazda thinks themselves so high and the pricing starts from 140 k to 160 k for a small shit like this. Rather top up bit more can get a Honda Accord already. Much more practical, much more comfortable, much more premium and much more classy. Mazda just need to stop hiking their prices up because already Mazda cars are not selling well as their sales are always behind Honda, Toyota and Nissan. They need more sales so that they can survive. Or just get out of Malaysian market because already we have Honda and Toyota to choose for.
Bro just wait for the CKD cars to roll out then it will be competitive. This batch of cars are for the group who loves anything made in Japan. You also have to understand that Mazda position themselves a level above Toyota and Honda whole remaining below Lexus level. You immediately can see the interior quality difference between the 3 and the Civic. Likewise when you compare the CRV to the CX5. My only complain is Mazda does not produce small turbo engines like the rest and their so called 2.5T engine power output is on the same level as it’s competitors 2.0T engines.
VW Tiguan 1.4T fulfilled all your needs Sir. Lexus level interior quality and small turbo engines.
Honda accord is expected to increase price to RM200k based in paultan article. https://paultan.org/2019/07/19/giias-2019-honda-accord-launched-1-5t-for-rm206k/
Camry and Mazda 6 are already at RM200k price range.
Disagree to ask Mazda to get out of Malaysian market. More choices is always better for consumer.
The whole world is increasing car prices. I will not be surprised the upcoming civic to be launched later this year will increase in price as well.
We cannot use Thai price as reference as our Accord will be CKD. Both Camry and Mazda 6 are CBU-RM200k. Thailand Civic 1.5 turbo high spec is selling around 1.2mil baht which is about RM 162k vs our civic high spec RM 128k+.(34k cheaper)
don’t get it wrong, it’s not mazda it’s bermaz
Moronic comment. Please get your facts before commenting blindly. The price is because of the excise duty as it is a CBU. If you don’t whats the percentage of the taxes I rather you shut up.
Secondly, have you driven one? I doubt you have. Just another one for the sake of commenting.
What is so moronic comment? I know this is CBU but even it is CBU, Mazda Bermaz should have controlled it a bit. Too expensive. If you don’t know about Malaysian market, I will advise u to shut up first before commenting as if you know everything. Also, stop assuming like a stupid because I have driven a CX5 and I always drive. My buddy has a CX5 and whenever we go Genting, I drive his CX5. Mazda, a good car to drive, I’d never disagree on that. But I just said about the pricing by Mazda.
Bro, Mazda is moving forward to a more premium brand compare to Honda and Toyota.
Just look at the interior of this new mazda3 and then you compare with the upcoming 12th gen of Altis.
Of course i do hope the price can control abit but the quality they give now can compete with German car.
Imagine if they sell this CBU Mazda3 with 15k cheaper than current price. Will there be anyone buying a honda civic or altis?
Even Australia Mazda3 increase by ~AUD$4,500.
Your Honda Accord latest gen starts at 200k, converted to RM at Thailand and Indonesia, don’t expect it to be any cheaper when it reach here. Honda interior quality and finishing touches is so cheap and it’s joke compare to the latest gen Mazda. Whatever Mazda try to position itself to move upstream amongst the price segment is all up to them, you can choose not to buy, but there will always be someone who does.
I love it when you call a car a joke only to name other car brands in the same comment. Alterior motives eh?
You deserve a award called “The most stupid person of the universe” haha
Go for beautiful sugar daddy or simple plain Jane. So many think sugar daddies are worth it until they ran out of money.
U cant compare with malaysian or any regional assemble car.. In brunei the car probably cost 90k-100k rm.. Its high because of duty import impose on japanese import car i guess
Bro,
1st: the price so high is due to CBU.
2nd: previous Mazda3 is not selling well in Malaysia despite CKD, therefore Bermaz decided to stop CKD for this new Mazda3. No more & no need to wait for CKD. Malaysian buy car prefer more on practical, spacious, 2nd hand value. Thus Civic and Altis is always selling well compare to Mazda3 even the 3 is sexier, stylish(interior+exterior) & more driving dynamic.
The move to CBU mazda3 is to give more capacity to produce more CKD SUV which good in sales. This move is to survive and generate more profit for the company.
Please read more info before written comments.
Tested the 1.5, citydrive is decent compared to most 1.5 in the market. Cabin is excellently quiet with firm suspension setup. The drive is not bouncy over uneven surfaces and bums. Veto the price of 140k for a super well below par specs is unacceptable by BM. The 10K price gap between 1.5 to 2.0p and 2.0p+ only leaving consumers with no options but to take up the 160k model if budget allow. Well suited for yuppies or DINKS and for families and tallish folks > 1.75m might wanna stir away from this bulldog. Premium JDM, Premium Price yet still below specs! 1) ‘NO BOSE’ sound sys is unacceptable at 160k . 2) Made in Japan Original Mazda floor mat is NEVER given
in Malaysia. YTD since 2008, still shows NONE_MAZDA mats aka. “Made in CHINA”. Pls dont claim its 100% CBU since consumers get undercut by even…floor mats.
Seriously is very difficult to accept the new pricing 1.5NA + torsion beam for RM 140k when the previous mazda 3 GL 2.0 + multilink only selling for RM109k. Offcourse is CBU vs CKD
I bought mazda3 2.0 GL for 95k during stock clearance
and was that 2018 or 2019 mazda 3?
Foolishly brave move from Bermaz executives, hope you don’t cut the bonus of your staff once the sales leak from your projections.
Hi, I am reserved when you said 1.5 is enough. Maybe you are trying to be modest or maybe it is Sepang whereby tendency to floor the pedal to rev it up for the circuit. I cannot comment because haven’t drive it yet, but I doubt is gonna be enough for a day-to-day use. Not just it will feel sluggish but will end up using more fuel to drag the car.
Have you even driven it? Premium or not is not determined by car size bro. If you didn’t drive it how can you value the car? By the badge? That’s the joke. Don’t say it’s expensive just because you cannot afford it.
Here comes another stupid. Everyone knows a car is not determined premium by car size. Assuming like a stupid. Mazda was a dead brand in Malaysia until 2012 or 2013 they came to the light by doing their Kodo design and SkyActiv engine. While Honda and Toyota continued their success all over the years. You ask about Mazda to anyone back years ago, everyone will laugh. So Mazda knew and they changed themselves and upgraded. Their development is very good and commendable. I think you are sultan’s son and you got too much of money. So you can even afford Rolls Royce. So we have a billionaire. Congrats. But mr Billionaire, it is not something that I cannot afford you stupid jackass, I own a 2012 Honda Accord and a new Audi A4. What I am saying is the price is too high even it is CBU. Don’t say Mazda or Bermaz is not blameable for this.
2019 Mazda 3 2.0 High+ sell RM160K by removed dual-color dashboard??? Removed 12 BOSE Speakers???
Removed above specs still qualify to consider PREMIUM car????? Ha…Ha…Ha…
Joker la, the price is very close to the price of BMW 1er, tell us not to compare the badge and not compare the price?
In Msia, yes.. Mainly Badge determine the value of the car. If this 1.5 Mazda 3 rebadged as entry BMW 1 series or Mercedes A class and sell for RM 140k, this will sell like hot cakes!
I just test drove d car. When i drove over uneven road & potholes, i immediately feel uncomfortable. Try it for urself to comment further
sometimes it seems like forumers can run a business better than conglomerates like Berjaya….
this car is 20K too expensive…else, good to go eat many’s pocket
Not worthy, I better top up 40k to get Camry 2.5
A pleasing aspect, to me anyway, is the effort Mazda are putting in to their design work. I don’t think the same can be said for their peers such as Honda and Toyota.
Cost and value for money is something that is a bit difficult to measure, as you only have same segment peers to compare with.
Perhaps a difficult question to answer is how much of a premium do you pay for design?
To my eyes, there is a big gap between the likes of Honda styling and Mazda but how do we measure than in relation to cost?
are you sure the 1.5L is enough? why not try to drag with the civic 1.5 turbo. for me, the civic 1.5 turbo is just right in responsiveness. if the mazda 3 1.5 can beat it, then it’s enough. if it’s slower, it is not enough. in fact i doubt it can even beat the City 1.5 in performance wise. any cars can get to 60-80 kmph with ease but when overtaking comes into place, the 1.5 mazda 3 is questionable.
To be really frank with you, this sounds like a paid advertisement.
Well done…But seems like having hard time to promote 1.5 for 140K ..haha
this mazda 3 is competitively priced compared to CHR and golf.
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