Verdict
The BMW 1 Series costs RM47,189 more at RM166,809, but its 1.5-litre turbo delivers 136 hp and 220 Nm against the Mazda 3 Hatchback’s 118 hp and 153 Nm, while using a rated 5.1 L/100 km versus 5.9 L/100 km. It is also rear-wheel drive, has an eight-speed automatic and a 360-litre boot. The Mazda counters with far more driver-assistance kit, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and front/rear autonomous braking. For Malaysian buyers, the Mazda is the stronger equipment-led buy; the BMW suits those who specifically want its drivetrain and extra luggage room.
Pick the BMW 1 Series if you want 220 Nm turbo torque, rear-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic and a 360-litre boot.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want to save RM47,189 while gaining adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear autonomous braking, navigation and a head-up display.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 1 Series RM166,809; Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620.
- Output: BMW 136 hp and 220 Nm; Mazda 118 hp and 153 Nm.
- Driveline and gears: BMW rear-wheel drive with 8-speed automatic; Mazda front-wheel drive with 6-speed automatic.
- Rated economy: BMW 5.1 L/100 km; Mazda 5.9 L/100 km.
- Boot space: BMW 360 litres; Mazda 295 litres.
- Wheelbase: BMW 2,690 mm; Mazda 2,725 mm.
1 Series
- 136 hp and 220 Nm from a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine.
- Rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic.
- 360-litre boot and rear air-con vents.
- Costs RM47,189 more.
- No adaptive cruise control, reverse camera, navigation or head-up display.
- Lacks blind-spot monitoring and autonomous braking.
3 Hatchback
- RM119,620 price undercuts the BMW by RM47,189.
- Adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist, plus front and rear Smart City Brake Support.
- 8.8-inch infotainment with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation and eight speakers.
- 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the BMW’s 136 hp and 220 Nm.
- Rated consumption is 5.9 L/100 km versus 5.1 L/100 km.
- 295-litre boot is 65 litres smaller than the BMW’s.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM166,809 | RM119,620✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve, DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,499 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 136 hp✓ | 118 hp |
| Torque | 220 Nm✓ | 153 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 74.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8 Speed Automatic | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mazda |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.7 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 5.1 L/100 km✓ | 5.9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Co2 | 119 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,329 mm | 4,460 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,725 mm |
| Weight | 1,395 kg | 1,368 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 52 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 360 litres✓ | 295 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 215/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 215/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | — | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED light bar with normal bulb brake light | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 6.5" BMW Professional Audio, iDrive with 6 Speakers | 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 | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free service | 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 1 Series & 3 Hatchback for sale
1 Series vs 3 Hatchback FAQ
Is the BMW 1 Series or Mazda 3 Hatchback better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is the better equipment-and-price choice, with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking, navigation and a head-up display. Choose the BMW 1 Series for its stronger 220 Nm turbo engine, rear-wheel drive, eight-speed automatic and larger boot.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 1 Series costs RM166,809 and the Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM119,620, so the BMW is RM47,189 more expensive.
Which hatchback has the bigger boot?
The BMW 1 Series has the bigger boot at 360 litres. The Mazda 3 Hatchback has 295 litres, a 65-litre deficit, although both have 60:40 split-folding rear seats.