Verdict
The Chery O5 costs RM116,800, RM8,880 more than the RM107,920 Mazda CX-3, but brings a substantial 145 hp and 230 Nm against 114 hp and 149 Nm. It is also 125 mm longer, has a 60 mm longer wheelbase and carries 378 litres versus 350 litres in the boot. More importantly for daily Malaysian driving, the O5 adds autonomous braking, steering lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. The CX-3 is 133 kg lighter and has a head-up display, but its halogen lamps, manual air-con and two airbags leave it looking dated beside the Chery.
Pick the Chery O5 if you want markedly stronger turbo performance, more cabin and boot space, plus autonomous braking and a 7-year/150,000-km warranty.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if saving RM8,880, a 133-kg lighter kerb weight, a head-up display and five years/100,000 km of free servicing matter more than equipment and output.
Key differences
- Price: Chery O5 RM116,800; Mazda CX-3 RM107,920.
- Output: Chery O5 145 hp and 230 Nm; Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm.
- Size: Chery O5 4,400 mm long with a 2,630 mm wheelbase; Mazda CX-3 4,275 mm and 2,570 mm.
- Boot space: Chery O5 378 litres; Mazda CX-3 350 litres.
- Safety equipment: Chery O5 has six airbags, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist; Mazda CX-3 has two airbags and no autonomous braking or lane-keeping…
- Warranty: Chery O5 7 years/150,000 km; Mazda CX-3 5 years/100,000 km with free service.
O5
- 145 hp and 230 Nm turbo engine.
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
- Larger 378-litre boot and 7-year/150,000-km warranty.
- Costs RM8,880 more.
- Heavier at 1,434 kg versus 1,301 kg.
- Front-seat-only seatbelt reminder; the CX-3 reminds all occupants.
CX-3
- RM8,880 lower purchase price and 1,301 kg kerb weight.
- Head-up display and driver’s seat memory.
- Five-year/100,000-km free service included.
- 114 hp and 149 Nm fall well behind the O5’s 145 hp and 230 Nm.
- Only two airbags, with no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
- Smaller 350-litre boot, halogen headlamps and manual air-con.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM116,800 | RM107,920✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 145 hp✓ | 114 hp |
| Torque | 230 Nm✓ | 149 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 77 mm | 74.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed DCT | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,400 mm | 4,275 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Height | 1,588 mm | 1,535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,630 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,434 kg | 1,301 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 48 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 378 litres✓ | 350 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R18 | 215/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R18 | 215/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Giti GitiComfort F50 | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 16" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 4 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger |
| 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 for two outer middle row passenger seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Automatic LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Halogen reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 6-way Power Adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide, Manual Sunshade | — |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 1 Front 15W Wireless Charger, 1 Front 12V Socket, 1 Rear USB, 1 Boot 12V Socket | 1 front, 2 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen Display, Sony Premium Audio with 8 Speakers, Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation, with Proximity Sensor Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 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 O5 & CX-3 for sale
O5 vs CX-3 FAQ
Is the Chery O5 or Mazda CX-3 better?
The Chery O5 is the better-equipped and more powerful choice, with 145 hp, six airbags, autonomous braking and a 378-litre boot. Choose the Mazda CX-3 only if its RM8,880 saving, lower weight, head-up display and free service are your priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Chery O5 costs RM116,800 and the Mazda CX-3 costs RM107,920, so the O5 is RM8,880 more expensive.
Which has the better safety equipment?
The Chery O5 has the stronger safety kit: six airbags, autonomous braking, collision warning, steering lane-keeping assist and auto high beam. The Mazda CX-3 has two airbags, stability control and blind-spot information, but no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.