Verdict
At RM119,620, the Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM99,643 less than the RM219,263 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, yet brings a 5-year/100,000-km warranty with free service, rear autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping steering correction. The A-Class answers with a much stronger 163 hp/250 Nm turbo engine against 118 hp/153 Nm, an 8.0-second 0-100 km/h time, and a 370-litre boot versus 295 litres. For a Malaysian buyer, the Mazda is the more rational buy; the Mercedes earns its money chiefly through pace, cargo room and cabin hardware.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want to save RM99,643 while gaining a longer warranty, rear braking support, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz A-Class if 163 hp, 250 Nm, an 8.0-second sprint and a 370-litre boot matter more than the substantial price gap.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Mercedes-Benz A-Class RM219,263.
- Power and torque: Mazda 118 hp and 153 Nm; Mercedes-Benz 163 hp and 250 Nm.
- Rated fuel economy: Mazda 5.9 L/100 km; Mercedes-Benz 5.7 L/100 km.
- Boot space: Mazda 295 litres; Mercedes-Benz 370 litres.
- Warranty: Mazda 5 years/100,000 km with free service; Mercedes-Benz 2 years with unlimited mileage.
- Driver assistance: Mazda has blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping steering correction; Mercedes-Benz has neither.
3 Hatchback
- RM99,643 lower purchase price
- 5-year/100,000-km warranty with free service
- Rear SCBS, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control
- 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the Mercedes-Benz's 163 hp and 250 Nm
- 295-litre boot is 75 litres smaller
- Manual front passenger-seat adjustment
A-Class
- 163 hp, 250 Nm turbo engine and 8.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- 370-litre boot
- Power front seats with memory, 64-colour ambient lighting and auto parking
- RM99,643 more expensive
- 2-year warranty versus 5 years/100,000 km for the Mazda
- No blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM219,263 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM70✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp | 163 hp✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.9 L/100 km | 5.7 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 225 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 130 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 4,419 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,796 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,368 kg | 1,375 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 295 litres | 370 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 225/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | Lowered comfort suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Pelvis, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 colours) |
| 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 | 10.25" MBUX Multimedia System with Touchpad, 10 Speakers, 225W |
| 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 |
| 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 | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 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.
Used 3 Hatchback & A-Class for sale
3 Hatchback vs A-Class FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Mercedes-Benz A-Class better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is the better rational purchase, pairing a far lower price with a longer warranty and more driver-assistance equipment. Choose the Mercedes-Benz A-Class only if its 163 hp turbo performance, larger boot and richer cabin features are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class costs RM99,643 more than the Mazda 3 Hatchback.
Which has the better warranty?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback has the stronger cover for most owners: five years or 100,000 km, plus free service. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has a two-year warranty with unlimited mileage.