Verdict
At RM267,800, the BMW 3 Series costs RM67,290 more than the RM200,510 Mazda CX-60, but it is the quicker car: 0-100 km/h takes 7.4 seconds against 9.6 seconds, helped by 300 Nm versus 261 Nm. The Mazda answers with SUV practicality, a 570-litre boot and five doors against the BMW’s 480 litres and four doors. Its annual road tax is also RM830, more than double the BMW’s RM379. Choose the BMW for pace and sedan packaging; take the Mazda for space, lower entry cost and longer factory backing.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time, 300 Nm torque and rear air-conditioning, and can justify the RM67,290 higher price.
Pick the Mazda CX-60 if a 570-litre boot, five-door SUV body, panoramic sunroof and five-year/100,000 km free service matter more than outright acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; Mazda CX-60 RM200,510.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; Mazda CX-60 9.6 seconds.
- Torque: BMW 3 Series 300 Nm; Mazda CX-60 261 Nm.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; Mazda CX-60 570 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW 3 Series RM379; Mazda CX-60 RM830.
- Warranty: BMW 3 Series two years/unlimited mileage; Mazda CX-60 five years/100,000 km with free service.
3 Series
- Quicker 7.4-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
- Higher 300 Nm torque.
- Rear single-zone automatic climate control and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio.
- RM67,290 higher purchase price.
- 480-litre boot is 90 litres smaller.
- Two-year factory warranty is shorter than the Mazda’s five years.
CX-60
- RM200,510 price saves RM67,290.
- 570-litre boot and five-door SUV body.
- Panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera and active cruise control with stop-and-go.
- Slower 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Annual road tax is RM830 versus RM379.
- No navigation or auto-parking system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800 | RM200,510✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM830 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 189 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm✓ | 261 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mazda |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,740 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,680 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,870 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 1,680 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 58 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 570 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Toyo Proxes Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for second row seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Adaptive LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Manual Recline |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 12.3" Mazda Connect Display with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 12-speaker Bose Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 3 Series & CX-60 for sale
3 Series vs CX-60 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Mazda CX-60 better?
The BMW 3 Series is better for performance, reaching 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds with 300 Nm. The Mazda CX-60 is better for luggage capacity, access and upfront cost, with a 570-litre boot, five doors and a RM67,290 lower price.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series costs RM267,800 and the Mazda CX-60 costs RM200,510, so the BMW is RM67,290 more expensive.
Which has the better warranty and service cover?
The Mazda CX-60 has the longer factory cover: five years or 100,000 km, plus five-year/100,000 km free service. The BMW 3 Series has a two-year warranty with unlimited mileage, extendable to five years with unlimited mileage.