Verdict
At RM106,800 against RM119,620, the Aion ES saves RM12,820 and cuts annual road tax from RM90 to RM70. Its 136 hp, 225 Nm motor, 55.2 kWh battery and stated 442 km range make it the more EV-focused choice, while its 450-litre boot is marginally larger. The Mazda 3 Sedan answers with seven airbags, front and rear Smart City Brake Support, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, plus a 5-year/100,000 km free-service package. Choose based on charging access: the Aion has 6.6 kW AC and 60 kW DC charging, not petrol convenience.
Pick the Aion ES if you have dependable charging, want a 442 km EV range and prefer the longer 8-year/160,000 km warranty.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if its seven airbags, front and rear autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and petrol operation suit your needs better.
Key differences
- Price: RM106,800 for the Aion ES versus RM119,620 for the Mazda 3 Sedan.
- Annual road tax: RM70 versus RM90.
- Output: 136 hp and 225 Nm from the Aion ES motor versus 118 hp and 153 Nm from the Mazda 3 Sedan's 1.5-litre petrol engine.
- Length: 4,810 mm for the Aion ES versus 4,660 mm for the Mazda 3 Sedan.
- Boot space: 450 litres versus 444 litres.
- Warranty: 8 years/160,000 km versus 5 years/100,000 km.
ES
- 442 km stated EV range from a 55.2 kWh battery.
- 136 hp and 225 Nm motor output.
- 8-year/160,000 km warranty and 3.3 kW V2L.
- 17-inch wheels versus the Mazda 3 Sedan's 18-inch alloys.
3 Sedan
- Seven airbags and front/rear Smart City Brake Support.
- Adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist.
- 8.8-inch infotainment, head-up display and 18-inch alloy wheels.
- RM12,820 higher purchase price.
- RM90 annual road tax versus RM70.
- 5-year/100,000 km warranty versus 8 years/160,000 km.
What the 3 Sedan has over the ES
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The ES is 85 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM106,800✓ | RM119,620 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70✓ | RM90 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,090/mo✓ | RM1,220/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,025✓ | RM3,390 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,110✓ | RM2,308 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM5.55✓ | RM11.54 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM21,022✓ | RM28,940 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 8.4 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 65 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 136 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 225 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 55.2 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 442 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 60 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 5.8 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,810 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,545 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,725 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,361 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 51 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 450 litres✓ | 444 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55 R17 | 215/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55 R17 | 215/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | — | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | — | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17 | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17 | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | — | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | — | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | — | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | — | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | — | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | — | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | — | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | — | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | — | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | — | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | — | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 5-year/100,000 km free service |
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. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). 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 October 2026.
Used ES & 3 Sedan for sale
Our reviews & guides
ES vs 3 Sedan FAQ
Is the Aion ES or Mazda 3 Sedan better?
The Aion ES is the better buy for EV running, a 442 km stated range and longer warranty cover. The Mazda 3 Sedan is better if you prioritise its specified safety kit, adaptive cruise control and petrol operation.
What is the price difference?
The Aion ES is RM12,820 cheaper than the Mazda 3 Sedan.
Which one can be charged?
Only the Aion ES can be charged: it has a 55.2 kWh battery, 6.6 kW AC charging and 60 kW DC charging. The Mazda 3 Sedan is petrol-powered with a 51-litre fuel tank.
How long does charging take?
The ES's 55.2 kWh battery takes about 8.4 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 65 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 60 kW peak.