Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-3
Verdict
The Honda HR-V asks RM7,980 more, but it is the more rounded daily SUV on paper: 119 hp versus 114 hp, a longer 2,610 mm wheelbase, Honda Sensing with autonomous braking, lane keeping and adaptive cruise control, plus rear air vents. The Mazda CX-3 counters with 149 Nm versus 145 Nm, a bigger 350-litre boot, 48-litre tank, head-up display and six speakers. It is close, but the HR-V’s extra driver assistance and cabin-friendly dimensions matter more for most Malaysian family use.
Pick the Honda HR-V if you want the stronger safety-assist package, a larger body and rear air vents.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you want the lower price, bigger boot and a conventional six-speed automatic.
Key differences
- Price: Honda HR-V RM115,900; Mazda CX-3 RM107,920
- Power and torque: Honda HR-V 119 hp/145 Nm; Mazda CX-3 114 hp/149 Nm
- Size: Honda HR-V 4,347 mm long, 1,790 mm wide; Mazda CX-3 4,275 mm long, 1,765 mm wide
- Wheelbase and weight: Honda HR-V 2,610 mm/1,274 kg; Mazda CX-3 2,570 mm/1,301 kg
- Boot and fuel tank: Honda HR-V 335 litres/40 litres; Mazda CX-3 350 litres/48 litres
- Driver aids: Honda HR-V autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise; Mazda CX-3 blind spot monitor and passive cruise
HR-V
- More complete active safety with Honda Sensing, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist
- Larger footprint and longer 2,610 mm wheelbase
- Rear air vents and single-zone automatic climate control
- Costs RM7,980 more than the Mazda CX-3
- Smaller 335-litre boot and 40-litre fuel tank
- Only four speakers versus six in the Mazda
CX-3
- Lower purchase price
- Bigger 350-litre boot and 48-litre fuel tank
- Head-up display, power driver’s seat with memory and six-speaker audio
- Less power at 114 hp versus 119 hp
- Shorter 2,570 mm wheelbase and narrower 1,765 mm body
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 115,900 | RM 107,920✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| 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✓ | 114 hp |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 149 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 74.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 12.1 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 186 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,347 mm | 4,275 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Height | 1,591 mm | 1,535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,274 kg | 1,301 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 48 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 335 litres | 350 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/50R18 | 215/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/50R18 | 215/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Disc |
| 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 | 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | Halogen reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function |
| Rear Seats | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A & USB-C Front | 1 front, 2 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4 Speakers | 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, Driver's Side Auto Up and 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 Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120 | RM 120 |
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.
HR-V vs CX-3 FAQ
Is the Honda HR-V or Mazda CX-3 better?
For most buyers, the Honda HR-V is the better all-rounder because it has Honda Sensing, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, rear air vents and a larger body. The Mazda CX-3 is better if price, boot space and a conventional automatic matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Honda HR-V is RM115,900, while the Mazda CX-3 is RM107,920. That makes the Honda RM7,980 dearer.
Which has the bigger boot and fuel tank?
The Mazda CX-3 has the advantage here, with a 350-litre boot and 48-litre fuel tank. The Honda HR-V has 335 litres of boot space and a 40-litre tank.