Verdict
The Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM119,620 to the Suzuki Swift Sport’s RM130,900, yet brings a 2,725 mm wheelbase, 295-litre boot and a far fuller safety suite including front-and-rear Smart City Brake Support, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Swift is the more urgent hatch: 140 hp and 230 Nm move just 970 kg, against the Mazda’s 118 hp, 153 Nm and 1,368 kg. For most Malaysian buyers, the Mazda’s RM11,280 saving, larger cabin footprint and five-year warranty make the stronger case; pick the Suzuki for its compact, turbocharged performance focus.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want more rear-seat space, a 295-litre boot and active safety equipment for RM11,280 less.
Pick the Suzuki Swift Sport if you want 140 hp, 230 Nm and a 970 kg kerb weight in a much shorter 3,890 mm hatchback.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Suzuki Swift Sport RM130,900.
- Output: Mazda 3 Hatchback 118 hp and 153 Nm; Suzuki Swift Sport 140 hp and 230 Nm.
- Kerb weight: Mazda 3 Hatchback 1,368 kg; Suzuki Swift Sport 970 kg.
- Length and wheelbase: Mazda 3 Hatchback 4,460 mm and 2,725 mm; Suzuki Swift Sport 3,890 mm and 2,450 mm.
- Boot space and fuel tank: Mazda 3 Hatchback 295 litres and 51 litres; Suzuki Swift Sport 265 litres and 37 litres.
- Warranty: Mazda 3 Hatchback five years/100,000 km; Suzuki Swift Sport three years/100,000 km.
3 Hatchback
- RM11,280 cheaper
- Front-and-rear autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist
- Larger 295-litre boot and 51-litre fuel tank
- 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the Swift Sport’s 140 hp and 230 Nm
- At 1,368 kg, it is 398 kg heavier
- No front foglamps, which the Swift Sport has
Swift Sport
- 140 hp and 230 Nm turbocharged output
- 970 kg kerb weight and 8.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- 570 mm shorter body aids tight-space manoeuvrability
- Costs RM11,280 more
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist
- Smaller 265-litre boot, 37-litre tank and three-year warranty
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM130,900 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM70✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,373 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp | 140 hp✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm | 230 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 9.9 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 6AT |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.9 L/100 km✓ | 6.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 3,890 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,495 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,450 mm |
| Weight | 1,368 kg | 970 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 37 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 295 litres✓ | 265 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 195/50R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 195/50R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Yokohama Advan A13C |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| 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 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 | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Driver and Front Passenger |
| 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 Adjustable, Driver's seat height adjustable |
| 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 | Front Cabin Light |
| 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 | 7.0" Touchscreen Radio DVD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth, Navigation and 6 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down |
| 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 | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 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 | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| 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✓ | 3 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.
Used 3 Hatchback & Swift Sport for sale
3 Hatchback vs Swift Sport FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Suzuki Swift Sport better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is better for most buyers because it is cheaper, larger, better equipped for safety and covered for five years. The Suzuki Swift Sport is better if its 140 hp, 230 Nm turbo engine and 970 kg weight are your priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Suzuki Swift Sport costs RM11,280 more than the Mazda 3 Hatchback.
Which hatchback has the better safety equipment?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback has the stronger safety specification: front-and-rear autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and a driver’s knee airbag. The Suzuki Swift Sport has no autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist.