Mazda 3 Hatchback vs Peugeot 408
Verdict
The Peugeot 408 asks RM26,435 more, but the mechanical gap is large: 215 hp and 300 Nm play 118 hp and 153 Nm, and it also gets an 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time. It is the bigger car too, with a 536-litre boot against the Mazda 3 Hatchback’s 295 litres. The Mazda counters with 5.9 L/100 km fuel economy, seven airbags to six, a lower entry price and the same RM90 annual road tax. For many Malaysians, this is power and space versus cost and economy.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want the cheaper C-segment car with 5.9 L/100 km economy, seven airbags and a compact hatchback footprint.
Pick the Peugeot 408 if you want far stronger 215 hp performance, a much larger 536-litre boot and a longer 7-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Peugeot 408 RM146,055
- Power and torque: Mazda 3 Hatchback 118 hp and 153 Nm; Peugeot 408 215 hp and 300 Nm
- Engine size: Mazda 3 Hatchback 1,496 cc; Peugeot 408 1,598 cc
- Size: Mazda 3 Hatchback 4,460 mm long and 1,795 mm wide; Peugeot 408 4,687 mm long and 1,859 mm wide
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Hatchback 295 litres; Peugeot 408 536 litres
- Warranty and airbags: Mazda 3 Hatchback 5 years and 7 airbags; Peugeot 408 7 years and 6 airbags
3 Hatchback
- Lower RM119,620 price
- 5.9 L/100 km fuel economy
- Seven airbags
- Only 118 hp and 153 Nm
- 295-litre boot is much smaller
- Shorter 5-year warranty
408
- Much stronger 215 hp and 300 Nm
- Large 536-litre boot
- Longer 7-year warranty
- Costs RM146,055
- Six airbags versus the Mazda’s seven
- No fuel economy figure stated
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 119,620✓ | RM 146,055 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp | 215 hp✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm | 300 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 77 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.8 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 4,687 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,859 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,787 mm |
| Weight | 1,368 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 295 litres | 536 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Granite Grey Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Granite Grey Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Discs |
| 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 Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electronic 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 Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED |
| 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 | Driver Powered Seat, Manual Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| 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 | 10" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | 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 | 200,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 7 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free service | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90 | RM 90 |
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 vs 408 FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Peugeot 408 better?
The Peugeot 408 is better for performance and boot space, with 215 hp, 300 Nm and 536 litres. The Mazda 3 Hatchback is better for lower cost, fuel economy and airbag count, with 5.9 L/100 km and seven airbags.
What is the price difference?
The Peugeot 408 costs RM26,435 more than the Mazda 3 Hatchback. That extra money mainly buys a much stronger engine, a bigger body, a larger boot and a longer warranty.
Which car is more practical for luggage?
The Peugeot 408 has the clear boot advantage, with 536 litres versus the Mazda 3 Hatchback’s 295 litres. If luggage room matters, the Peugeot is the easier choice.