Mazda 3 Hatchback vs Nissan Leaf
Verdict
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is the cheaper petrol choice at RM119,620, with a 1.5-litre 118 hp engine, 5.9 L/100 km economy, a 200 km/h top speed and a 5-year warranty. The Nissan Leaf asks RM168,888, so the RM49,268 jump buys an EV with a 148 hp motor, 40.0 kWh battery, 270 km range, 7.9-second 0-100 km/h time and a much larger 435-litre boot. But it has a lower 155 km/h top speed, one fewer airbag and a 3-year warranty.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want the cheaper petrol car with a 5-year warranty, 7 airbags and 200 km/h top speed, and can live with a 295-litre boot.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you want electric driving with a 40.0 kWh battery, 270 km range, 148 hp and a 435-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Nissan Leaf RM168,888
- Power: Mazda 3 Hatchback 118 hp; Nissan Leaf 148 hp
- Top speed: Mazda 3 Hatchback 200 km/h; Nissan Leaf 155 km/h
- Dimensions: Mazda 3 Hatchback 4,460 mm long, 1,795 mm wide, 1,435 mm tall; Nissan Leaf 4,480 mm long, 1,790 mm wide, 1,540 mm tall
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Hatchback 295 litres; Nissan Leaf 435 litres
- Warranty and airbags: Mazda 3 Hatchback 5 years and 7 airbags; Nissan Leaf 3 years and 6 airbags
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 119,620✓ | RM 168,888 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Engine | 1,496 cc | Single motor |
| Power | 118 hp | 148 hp✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm | — |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | — | 7.9 s |
| Top speed | 200 km/h✓ | 155 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 5.9 L/100km | — |
| Battery | — | 40.0 kWh |
| EV range | — | 270 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Boot space | 295 L | 435 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 51 L | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7✓ | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5✓ | 3 |
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 100 |
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.
3 Hatchback
- RM49,268 cheaper to buy
- 5-year warranty and 7 airbags
- 200 km/h top speed, with 5.9 L/100 km rated economy
- 295-litre boot is 140 litres smaller
- 118 hp trails the Nissan Leaf by 30 hp
- Petrol only; no EV range figure
Leaf
- 148 hp motor and 7.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- 40.0 kWh battery with 270 km EV range
- 435-litre boot, 140 litres larger
- Costs RM49,268 more
- 3-year warranty versus the Mazda 3 Hatchback’s 5 years
- 155 km/h top speed versus 200 km/h
3 Hatchback vs Leaf FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Nissan Leaf better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is the better buy for lower cost, longer warranty and higher top speed. The Nissan Leaf is better if you want an EV, quicker stated 0-100 km/h performance and the bigger 435-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM119,620, while the Nissan Leaf costs RM168,888. That makes the Nissan Leaf RM49,268 more expensive.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Nissan Leaf has the bigger boot at 435 litres. The Mazda 3 Hatchback has 295 litres, so the Nissan gives you an extra 140 litres of luggage space.