Verdict
At RM95,900, the Honda City Hatchback costs RM23,720 less than the RM119,620 Mazda 3 Hatchback, yet returns 5.6 L/100 km against 5.9 and carries an eight-year unlimited-mileage warranty. The Mazda’s extra spend brings a larger C-segment body, 153 Nm versus 145 Nm, 18-inch wheels, multi-link rear suspension and seven airbags. It is also 220 kg heavier and its five-year/100,000 km warranty is shorter. For Malaysian buyers prioritising running costs and warranty cover, the Honda is the sharper buy; the Mazda suits those wanting the larger, better-equipped hatch.
Pick the Honda City Hatchback if you want to save RM23,720, use less fuel and keep eight years of unlimited-mileage warranty cover.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want the larger body, 153 Nm engine, multi-link rear suspension and extra cabin equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City Hatchback RM95,900; Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620.
- Torque: Honda City Hatchback 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm; Mazda 3 Hatchback 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm.
- Fuel economy: Honda City Hatchback 5.6 L/100 km; Mazda 3 Hatchback 5.9 L/100 km.
- Size: Honda City Hatchback is 4,362 mm long on a 2,600 mm wheelbase; Mazda 3 Hatchback is 4,460 mm on a 2,725 mm wheelbase.
- Rear suspension: Honda City Hatchback torsion beam; Mazda 3 Hatchback multi-link.
- Warranty: Honda City Hatchback eight years, unlimited mileage; Mazda 3 Hatchback five years/100,000 km.
City Hatchback
- RM23,720 cheaper to buy
- Lower 5.6 L/100 km rated economy
- Eight-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- Six airbags versus the Mazda’s seven
- Torsion-beam rear suspension versus multi-link
- 289-litre boot versus 295 litres
3 Hatchback
- 153 Nm torque at 4,000 rpm
- Multi-link rear suspension and 18-inch wheels
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat, head-up display and navigation
- RM23,720 higher purchase price
- Higher 5.9 L/100 km rated fuel use
- Shorter five-year/100,000 km warranty
What the City Hatchback has over the 3 Hatchback
What the 3 Hatchback has over the City Hatchback
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The 3 Hatchback's wheelbase is 125 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The 3 Hatchback is 47 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM95,900✓ | RM119,620 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM980/mo✓ | RM1,220/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM2,773✓ | RM3,390 |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM2,229✓ | RM2,348 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM11.14✓ | RM11.74 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM25,459✓ | RM29,139 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm✓ | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.5 mm | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.7 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km✓ | 5.9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 195 km/h | 200 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,362 mm | 4,460 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,488 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,725 mm |
| Weight | 1,148 kg | 1,368 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 289 litres | 295 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 185/55R16 | 215/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/55R16 | 215/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes R57 | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 14 inch | 17 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | — | 14 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" 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 | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) | 7 (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 | ISOFIX i-Size | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing (CMBS) | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Honda SENSING (FCW, CMBS, LKAS, LDW, RDM, ACC, Auto High Beam, Lead Car Departure Notification), Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitoring, Honda LaneWatch Camera, Emergency Stop Signal, Rear Seatbelt Reminder, Auto Door Lock, ISOFIX i-Size | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-LED Projector, Auto | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable, Combination Leather | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Blue Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10" Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers + 4 Tweeters | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Remote Engine Start, Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive 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 |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Remote Engine Start, Walk-away Auto Lock, ECON Button, Auto-retractable Door Mirrors, Front Panel Ambient Light; Honda CONNECT optional (RM2,450 with 3-year subscription) | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year warranty = 5 years + 3 years service-activated (6th to 8th year, engine and transmission, unlimited mileage); free labour for up to 5 services within 5 years/100,000 km | 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 City Hatchback & 3 Hatchback for sale
Our reviews & guides
City Hatchback vs 3 Hatchback FAQ
Is the Honda City Hatchback or Mazda 3 Hatchback better?
The Honda City Hatchback is the better value-led choice, with lower fuel use and much longer warranty cover. Choose the Mazda 3 Hatchback if its larger dimensions, 153 Nm torque, multi-link rear suspension and richer equipment matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM23,720 more than the Honda City Hatchback. That gap buys a larger C-segment body, 18-inch wheels, multi-link rear suspension, seven airbags and features including a head-up display.
Which hatchback has the better safety equipment?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback has seven airbags to the Honda City Hatchback’s six, plus front and rear Smart City Brake Support. Both have autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, steering correction lane assistance, adaptive cruise control and reverse cameras.
Which one is locally assembled?
The City Hatchback 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.