Verdict
The 3 Hatchback is about 40% cheaper, the DS5 has a 37% bigger boot, while the DS5 is 28% more powerful. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
The DS5 1.6 THP (RM198,888) sits above every 3 Hatchback variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
What the DS5 has over the 3 Hatchback
What the 3 Hatchback has over the DS5
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The DS5 is 76 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the DS5: 468 litres against 295.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM198,888 | RM119,620✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,030/mo | RM1,220/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM5,451 | RM3,390✓ |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM2,905 | RM2,348✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM14.53 | RM11.74✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM42,230 | RM29,139✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 165 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 240 Nm at 1,400 rpm✓ | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 77 mm × 85.8 mm | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed automatic | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.7 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 7.3 L/100 km | 5.9 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 202 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Co2 | 169 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,530 mm | 4,460 mm |
| Width | 1,871 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,538 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,727 mm | 2,725 mm |
| Weight | 1,420 kg | 1,368 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 468 litres✓ | 295 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/50R17 | 215/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/50R17 | 215/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 17 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | — | 14 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Flexible Transverse Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy Canaveral | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy Canaveral | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Electro hydraulic 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 | 6 (Yes) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Yes | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | Yes | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Yes | 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 | Xenon headlamp | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | — | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Front seats with electric lumbar & massage function | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | Split folding rear seats | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Automatic dual zone air-conditioning | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Yes | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map + Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | Yes | 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 | Yes | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Yes | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Yes | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | Yes | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | 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 | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used DS5 & 3 Hatchback for sale
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DS5 vs 3 Hatchback FAQ
Which one is locally assembled?
The DS5 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the 3 Hatchback is fully imported (CBU) from Japan. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.