Verdict
At RM26,435 more, the locally assembled Peugeot 408 brings 215 hp and 300 Nm against the Mazda 3 Hatchback’s 118 hp and 153 Nm, plus a 536-litre boot that is 241 litres larger. That matters for Malaysian family and interstate use. The Mazda is 227 mm shorter and 64 mm narrower, carries seven airbags to the Peugeot’s six, and adds adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist. Its five-year/100,000 km warranty is the trade-off against Peugeot’s seven-year/200,000 km cover.
The 408 GT (RM196,055) sits above every 3 Hatchback variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want the smaller 4,460 mm hatchback, seven airbags and adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assistance.
Pick the Peugeot 408 if you need 215 hp, 300 Nm, a 536-litre boot and seven-year/200,000 km warranty coverage.
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.
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Hatchback 295 litres; Peugeot 408 536 litres.
- Length and width: Mazda 3 Hatchback 4,460 mm and 1,795 mm; Peugeot 408 4,687 mm and 1,859 mm.
- Safety and driver assistance: Mazda 3 Hatchback has seven airbags and adaptive cruise control; Peugeot 408 has six airbags and passive cruise control.
- Manufacturer warranty: Mazda 3 Hatchback five years/100,000 km; Peugeot 408 seven years/200,000 km.
3 Hatchback
- Seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag
- Adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist
- Smaller 4,460 mm body and 8-speaker audio
- 295-litre boot is 241 litres smaller
- 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the Peugeot’s 215 hp and 300 Nm
- Five-year/100,000 km warranty is shorter than the Peugeot’s cover
408
- 215 hp and 300 Nm 1.6-litre turbo engine
- 536-litre boot and rear air-con vents
- Seven-year/200,000 km manufacturer warranty
- RM26,435 higher purchase price
- Six airbags versus the Mazda’s seven
- Passive cruise control rather than adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assistance
What the 3 Hatchback has over the 408
What the 408 has over the 3 Hatchback
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The 408's wheelbase is 62 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The 408 is 64 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the 408: 536 litres against 295.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM146,055 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,220/mo✓ | RM1,490/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,390✓ | RM4,077 |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM2,348 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM11.74 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM29,139 | — |
| 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 at 6,000 rpm | 215 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 300 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm | 77 mm × 85.8 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 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 17 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | 14 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| 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 |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 6 (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 | — |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used 3 Hatchback & 408 for sale
Our reviews & guides
3 Hatchback vs 408 FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Peugeot 408 better?
The Peugeot 408 is better for power, boot capacity and warranty cover, with 215 hp, a 536-litre boot and seven-year/200,000 km coverage. Choose the Mazda 3 Hatchback for seven airbags, adaptive cruise control and a smaller body.
What is the price difference?
The Peugeot 408 costs RM26,435 more than the Mazda 3 Hatchback: RM146,055 versus RM119,620.
Which car has the bigger boot?
The Peugeot 408 has the bigger boot at 536 litres, compared with 295 litres in the Mazda 3 Hatchback. The Peugeot provides 241 litres more luggage space.
Which one is locally assembled?
The 408 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the 3 Hatchback is fully imported (CBU) from Japan. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.