Verdict
The Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM119,620 to the Nissan Leaf’s RM168,888, so the RM49,268 jump is substantial. The Leaf answers with a 40.0-kWh battery, 270-km EV range, 148 hp and 320 Nm, plus a far more useful 435-litre boot. It is also taller and heavier at 1,540 mm and 1,544 kg. The Mazda’s 118 hp/153 Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine is rated at 5.9 L/100 km, while it adds multilink rear suspension, 18-inch wheels, rear SCBS, blind-spot monitoring and lane steering correction. For buyers without dependable charging, the Mazda is the easier financial call; pick the Leaf for electric driving and luggage room.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want to spend RM49,268 less while gaining 18-inch wheels, rear autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane steering correction.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if a 270-km electric range, 320 Nm motor torque and 435-litre boot matter more than the higher upfront cost.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Nissan Leaf RM168,888.
- Powertrain: Mazda 1.5-litre petrol, 118 hp and 153 Nm; Leaf electric motor, 148 hp and 320 Nm.
- Energy use/range: Mazda rated at 5.9 L/100 km; Leaf has a 40.0-kWh battery and 270-km range.
- Boot space: Mazda 295 litres; Leaf 435 litres.
- Weight and height: Mazda 1,368 kg and 1,435 mm; Leaf 1,544 kg and 1,540 mm.
- Warranty: Mazda five years/100,000 km; Leaf three years/100,000 km, with an eight-year/160,000-km battery warranty.
3 Hatchback
- RM49,268 lower purchase price
- Multilink rear suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels
- Rear SCBS, blind-spot monitoring and lane steering correction
- 295-litre boot is 140 litres smaller than the Leaf’s
- No Around View Monitor
Leaf
- 270-km EV range from a 40.0-kWh battery
- 148 hp and 320 Nm electric motor
- 435-litre boot and Around View Monitor
- Costs RM49,268 more
- Torsion-beam rear suspension and 17-inch wheels
- No blind-spot monitoring, lane steering correction or rear parking sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM168,888 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM100 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 118 hp | — |
| Torque | 153 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 148 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 320 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 40.0 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 270 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 6.6 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 50.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Nissan |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.9 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 155 km/h |
| 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 |
| Weight | 1,368 kg | 1,544 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 295 litres | 435 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/50R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/50R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Dunlop Enasave EC300 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | e-Pedal, Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, 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 | 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 | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) |
| 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 | 6.6 kW Wallbox, 7" Information Display, Climate Control Timer |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free service | 3-year/60,000 km Free Service, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Complimentary Usage of Nissan SUV, MPV or Pick-up for 23 Days per Year |
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 & Leaf for sale
3 Hatchback vs Leaf FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Nissan Leaf better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is the better choice for lower entry cost and stronger driver-assistance equipment. The Nissan Leaf is better if you can charge regularly and need its 270-km EV range, 320 Nm motor torque and 435-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Leaf costs RM49,268 more than the Mazda 3 Hatchback. That gap brings electric propulsion, a 40.0-kWh battery, 270-km range, 435-litre boot and an Around View Monitor.
Which car is better for carrying luggage?
The Nissan Leaf. Its 435-litre boot is 140 litres larger than the Mazda 3 Hatchback’s 295-litre space, while both cars have 60:40 split-folding rear seats.