Verdict
The RM35,180 gap separates two very different C-segment answers. The Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM119,620, seats five and brings a 118 hp, 153 Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine, 18-inch wheels, rear multi-link suspension and adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist. At RM154,800, the Nissan Serena e-Power is the family tool: seven seats, a 160 hp, 315 Nm motor, 2,870-mm wheelbase, rear blower-controlled air-con and a powered left sliding door. Choose the Mazda for a smaller five-seat hatchback; stretch for the Serena only if seven-seat utility is non-negotiable.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if five seats are enough and you want to save RM35,180 while gaining 18-inch wheels, rear multi-link suspension and more driver-assistance kit.
Pick the Nissan Serena e-Power if you need seven seats, a sliding rear door and the e-Power motor's 160 hp and 315 Nm output.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Nissan Serena e-Power RM154,800.
- Seating: Mazda 3 Hatchback 5 seats; Nissan Serena e-Power 7 seats.
- Power output: Mazda 3 Hatchback 118 hp and 153 Nm; Nissan Serena e-Power motor 160 hp and 315 Nm.
- Dimensions: Mazda 3 Hatchback 4,460 mm long with a 2,725-mm wheelbase; Nissan Serena e-Power 4,690 mm long with a 2,870-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Hatchback 295 litres; Nissan Serena e-Power 280 litres.
- Rear suspension: Mazda 3 Hatchback multi-link; Nissan Serena e-Power torsion beam.
3 Hatchback
- RM35,180 lower purchase price.
- Adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist, lane-keeping steering correction and a head-up display.
- 18-inch alloys, rear multi-link suspension and eight speakers.
- Five seats versus the Serena e-Power's seven.
- No rear air-con blower control or powered sliding door.
- 118 hp and 153 Nm versus the Serena e-Power motor's 160 hp and 315 Nm.
Serena e-Power
- Seven seats with sliding, reclining second-row seats and a foldable third row.
- 160 hp and 315 Nm motor output.
- Rear air-con with blower control and a powered left sliding door.
- Costs RM35,180 more.
- 280-litre boot is 15 litres smaller than the Mazda's 295 litres.
- No lane-keeping assist, head-up display or navigation.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM154,800 |
| Body type | Hatchback | MPV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,433 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp✓ | 97 hp |
| Torque | 153 Nm✓ | 123 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 160 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 315 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1.77 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 4,690 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,885 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,870 mm |
| Weight | 1,368 kg | 1,784 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 295 litres✓ | 280 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 205/65R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 205/65R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Goodyear Assurance MaxGuard |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | 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 |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Middle Row 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 | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | — |
| 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 Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 50:50 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 2 USB Ports Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 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 with Split Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | Powered Left Sliding Door, Manual Right Sliding Door |
| 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 | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free service | 8-year/160,000 km ePower Components Warranty |
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 & Serena e-Power for sale
3 Hatchback vs Serena e-Power FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Nissan Serena e-Power better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is the better choice for a five-seat hatchback buyer wanting more driving-assistance equipment and a far lower entry price. The Nissan Serena e-Power is better when seven seats, rear air-con and sliding-door access matter more than cost.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Serena e-Power costs RM35,180 more than the Mazda 3 Hatchback. That extra outlay brings two additional seats, a 160 hp motor, rear blower-controlled air-con and a powered left sliding door.
Which has more luggage space?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback has the larger stated boot at 295 litres, against 280 litres for the Nissan Serena e-Power. The Serena counters with 50:50 split-folding, sliding and reclining second-row seats plus a foldable third row.