Verdict
The Audi A3 Sedan is the more usable Malaysian all-rounder: five seats, four doors and a 425-litre boot versus the Mazda MX-5’s two seats, two doors and 130 litres. Its 187 hp turbo engine also supplies 320 Nm, well ahead of the Mazda’s 181 hp and 205 Nm, through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The MX-5 counters with 416 kg less mass, rear-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and a power-folding hard-top. Choose based on purpose, because these two cars are not close in practicality.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if you need five seats, a 425-litre boot and automatic transmission without giving up 320 Nm of turbocharged torque.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a 1,119-kg rear-wheel-drive two-seater with a six-speed manual and power-folding retractable hard-top.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154.
- Torque: Audi A3 Sedan 320 Nm; Mazda MX-5 205 Nm.
- Weight: Audi A3 Sedan 1,535 kg; Mazda MX-5 1,119 kg.
- Seating and boot space: Audi A3 Sedan five seats and 425 litres; Mazda MX-5 two seats and 130 litres.
- Transmission and driveline: Audi A3 Sedan seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive; Mazda MX-5 six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive.
- Safety assistance: Audi A3 Sedan has lane departure warning and tyre-pressure monitoring; Mazda MX-5 has blind-spot monitoring, front and rear Smart City Brake…
A3 Sedan
- Five seats, four doors and a 425-litre boot.
- 320 Nm turbo torque and a 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Power front seats with driver memory, dual-zone climate control and rear air vents.
- Costs RM44,836 more.
- At 1,535 kg, it is 416 kg heavier than the MX-5.
- No blind-spot monitoring or autonomous braking system.
MX-5
- 1,119-kg rear-wheel-drive layout with a six-speed manual.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top.
- Blind-spot monitoring and front/rear Smart City Brake Support.
- Only two seats and a 130-litre boot.
- 205 Nm is 115 Nm down on the A3 Sedan.
- Manual front seats and single-zone air-conditioning, with no rear vents.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM338,990 | RM294,154✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Convertible |
| Segment | C-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp✓ | 181 hp |
| Torque | 320 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic Transmission | 6MT-LSD |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 6.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 220 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,425 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | 1,535 kg | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 425 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 205/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Lane Departure Warning, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Sunroof | — | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 1 front |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Audi Virtual Cockpit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
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 A3 Sedan & MX-5 for sale
A3 Sedan vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or Mazda MX-5 better?
The Audi A3 Sedan is better for carrying people and luggage, with five seats and a 425-litre boot. The Mazda MX-5 is the better fit for a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive manual experience and open-top motoring.
What is the price difference?
The Audi A3 Sedan costs RM338,990 and the Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154, so the Audi is RM44,836 more expensive.
Which has the stronger safety-assistance package?
The Mazda MX-5 has more active-assistance items: blind-spot monitoring, collision warning and front/rear Smart City Brake Support. The Audi A3 Sedan instead has lane departure warning and tyre-pressure monitoring, plus front and rear curtain airbags.