Verdict
The Aion ES costs RM106,800, undercutting the Mazda 3 Sedan by RM12,820 while bringing a 136 hp, 225 Nm front motor, 55.2 kWh battery and quoted 442 km range. It is also 150 mm longer, 85 mm wider and has a 6-litre larger boot. The Mazda counters with a specified 118 hp/153 Nm 1.5-litre petrol powertrain rated at 5.8 L/100 km, plus a far fuller listed safety and convenience kit including adaptive cruise control, front and rear autonomous braking and a head-up display. The Mazda is the better-equipped car; the Aion makes the stronger case on price, EV range and warranty cover.
Pick the Aion ES if you want a RM12,820 cheaper EV with 442 km quoted range, 225 Nm and an eight-year/160,000 km warranty.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if you want its specified active-safety systems, adaptive cruise control, head-up display and 5.8 L/100 km petrol consumption.
Key differences
- Price: Aion ES RM106,800; Mazda 3 Sedan RM119,620.
- Powertrain output: Aion ES motor 136 hp and 225 Nm; Mazda 3 Sedan 118 hp and 153 Nm.
- Energy use/range: Aion ES 55.2 kWh battery and 442 km range; Mazda 3 Sedan 5.8 L/100 km and 51-litre tank.
- Size: Aion ES 4,810 mm long and 1,880 mm wide; Mazda 3 Sedan 4,660 mm and 1,795 mm.
- Boot space: Aion ES 450 litres; Mazda 3 Sedan 444 litres.
- Warranty: Aion ES eight years/160,000 km; Mazda 3 Sedan five years/100,000 km.
ES
- RM12,820 lower purchase price.
- 442 km quoted EV range from a 55.2 kWh battery.
- Longer warranty at eight years/160,000 km.
- 17-inch wheels versus the Mazda's 18-inch alloys.
- No spare tyre is specified; the Mazda has a space-saver spare.
- Its listed equipment does not include the Mazda's adaptive cruise control, head-up display or front-and-rear autonomous braking.
3 Sedan
- Adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist.
- Front and rear Smart City Brake Support, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping steering correction.
- Head-up display, 18-inch alloys and a space-saver spare tyre.
- RM12,820 more expensive than the Aion ES.
- Shorter 4,660 mm body and 444-litre boot versus 4,810 mm and 450 litres.
- Shorter five-year/100,000 km warranty and higher RM90 annual road tax.
| 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 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 118 hp |
| Torque | — | 153 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 74.5 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 | — | 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.
Used ES & 3 Sedan for sale
ES vs 3 Sedan FAQ
Is the Aion ES or Mazda 3 Sedan better?
The Aion ES is better for lower entry cost, 442 km quoted EV range and longer warranty cover. The Mazda 3 Sedan is better equipped on its stated specification, with adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking front and rear, blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.
What is the price difference?
The Aion ES costs RM106,800 and the Mazda 3 Sedan costs RM119,620, so the Mazda is RM12,820 more expensive.
Which has the longer warranty?
The Aion ES has the longer warranty at eight years or 160,000 km. The Mazda 3 Sedan is covered for five years or 100,000 km, with free service stated for that same period and mileage.