JAC T9 vs Mazda 3 Sedan
Verdict
At RM119,888 for the JAC T9 and RM119,620 for the Mazda 3 Sedan, the money is almost the same, but the brief is not. The JAC is a 5,330 mm, 2,055 kg diesel pick-up with AWD, 168 hp and a huge 410 Nm, so it suits buyers who need size, traction and towing-style torque. The Mazda is a 4,660 mm, 1,361 kg petrol sedan with 5.8 L/100 km rated economy, a 444-litre boot and 200 km/h top speed. It is the easier everyday car on paper.
Pick the JAC T9 if you want diesel torque, AWD, a ladder-frame pick-up body and a larger cabin footprint for almost the same money.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if you want a lighter petrol sedan with rated fuel economy, a proper boot and more driver-focused cabin kit.
Key differences
- Price: JAC T9 RM119,888; Mazda 3 Sedan RM119,620
- Power and torque: JAC T9 168 hp/410 Nm; Mazda 3 Sedan 118 hp/153 Nm
- Drivetrain: JAC T9 All Wheel Drive; Mazda 3 Sedan Front Wheel Drive
- Size: JAC T9 5,330 mm long/1,965 mm wide; Mazda 3 Sedan 4,660 mm long/1,795 mm wide
- Weight: JAC T9 2,055 kg; Mazda 3 Sedan 1,361 kg
- Fuel economy: JAC T9 not rated here; Mazda 3 Sedan 5.8 L/100 km
T9
- Far stronger output: 168 hp and 410 Nm versus 118 hp and 153 Nm
- AWD, ladder-frame construction and full-size spare tyre
- Rear air vents, 360-degree monitor and 220-volt socket
- Much heavier and larger: 2,055 kg and 5,330 mm versus 1,361 kg and 4,660 mm
- No rated fuel economy, boot capacity or top speed listed
- Lacks telescopic steering adjustment, head-up display and navigation
3 Sedan
- Rated 5.8 L/100 km fuel economy and RM90 annual road tax
- Lighter, shorter sedan body with a listed 444-litre boot
- Head-up display, navigation, paddle shifters and telescopic steering adjustment
- Much lower outputs: 118 hp and 153 Nm versus 168 hp and 410 Nm
- Front-wheel drive only versus the JAC T9’s AWD
- No rear air vents and the front passenger seat is manual
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 119,888 | RM 119,620✓ |
| Body type | Pickup | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve, DOHC commonrail two-stage turbodiesel | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 168 hp✓ | 118 hp |
| Torque | 410 Nm✓ | 153 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 74.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mazda |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 5.8 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,330 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,965 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,920 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,110 mm | 2,725 mm |
| Weight | 2,055 kg | 1,361 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 51 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | — | 444 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/60R18 | 215/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/60R18 | 215/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Open Country H/T Z | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Ladder Frame | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| 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 Plus |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side Curtain and Front Centre Airbag | 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 outer two rear seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | 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 | — | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | One-piece Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | AC Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB, 1 220-volt Socket | 1 Front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.4" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Six-speaker Sound System | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | 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 |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | 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 | 8-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Engine (1st Owner Only) | 5-year/100,000 km free service |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | — | RM 90 |
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.
T9 vs 3 Sedan FAQ
Is the JAC T9 or Mazda 3 Sedan better?
The Mazda 3 Sedan is better for daily use if you want lower rated fuel use, a boot and sedan handling priorities. The JAC T9 is better if you need AWD, diesel torque and pick-up practicality.
What is the price difference?
The JAC T9 costs RM119,888 and the Mazda 3 Sedan costs RM119,620, so the JAC is RM268 dearer. That tiny gap means the decision is about body style and mechanical needs, not price.
Which one has more power and torque?
The JAC T9 has much more: 168 hp and 410 Nm from its turbodiesel, against the Mazda 3 Sedan’s 118 hp and 153 Nm petrol engine.