Verdict
The Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM119,620, while the Mazda CX-30 is RM122,409. That RM2,789 gap buys the CX-30’s 162 hp, 213 Nm 2.0-litre engine and a far more useful 430-litre boot, against 118 hp, 153 Nm and 295 litres in the hatch. But the Mazda 3 uses 5.9 L/100 km versus 6.4 L/100 km, and its RM90 annual road tax is RM349 lower. It also brings front and rear autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control; the CX-30’s higher body and cargo space are its clearest practical wins.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want lower running costs plus stronger active-safety and driver-assistance equipment.
Pick the Mazda CX-30 if you need the 430-litre boot, 162 hp 2.0-litre performance and SUV seating height.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Mazda CX-30 RM122,409.
- Engine output: Mazda 3 Hatchback 118 hp and 153 Nm; Mazda CX-30 162 hp and 213 Nm.
- Rated fuel economy: Mazda 3 Hatchback 5.9 L/100 km; Mazda CX-30 6.4 L/100 km.
- Annual road tax: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM90; Mazda CX-30 RM439.
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Hatchback 295 litres; Mazda CX-30 430 litres.
- Height: Mazda 3 Hatchback 1,435 mm; Mazda CX-30 1,540 mm.
3 Hatchback
- Lower 5.9 L/100 km rated consumption and RM90 annual road tax.
- Smart City Brake Support front and rear, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping steering correction.
- Adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist, plus front and rear parking sensors.
- 295-litre boot is 135 litres smaller.
- 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the CX-30’s 162 hp and 213 Nm.
- Lower 1,435-mm body and no sunroof.
CX-30
- 162 hp and 213 Nm from its 2.0-litre engine.
- 430-litre boot and 1,540-mm SUV body.
- Tilt-and-slide sunroof and powered boot with remote activation.
- Uses 6.4 L/100 km and costs RM439 a year in road tax.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist.
- Passive cruise control, no parking sensors and a torsion-beam rear suspension.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM122,409 |
| Body type | Hatchback | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp | 162 hp✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm | 213 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.9 L/100 km✓ | 6.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 196 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 4,395 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,655 mm |
| Weight | 1,368 kg | 1,441 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 295 litres | 430 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/65R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/65R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE51 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | 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 for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | Emergency Stop Signal |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Manual Air-con |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 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 and 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 with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials | 7" TFT LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free service | 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 3 Hatchback & CX-30 for sale
3 Hatchback vs CX-30 FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Mazda CX-30 better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is better for lower fuel use, RM90 road tax and active safety. Choose the CX-30 if its 162 hp engine and 430-litre boot matter more than those savings and assistance systems.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-30 costs RM2,789 more than the Mazda 3 Hatchback. It adds 44 hp, 60 Nm, a 135-litre larger boot, a sunroof and powered tailgate, but has less driver-assistance equipment.
Which one has more luggage space?
The Mazda CX-30 has the larger boot at 430 litres, versus 295 litres for the Mazda 3 Hatchback. That is a 135-litre advantage for the SUV.