Mazda 3 Hatchback vs Toyota Corolla
Verdict
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is the sharper buy on numbers if you want the lower outlay: it costs RM119,620 versus the Toyota Corolla’s RM144,800, and road tax is just RM90 against RM279. It also has a longer 2,725 mm wheelbase and lists auto emergency braking. The Corolla answers with the bigger 1.8-litre engine, 137 hp and a huge 470-litre boot, so it is the easier pick for luggage-heavy family use. Both are C-segment, petrol, front-driven CBU cars with seven airbags and five-year warranties.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want the lower price, lower annual road tax, a hatchback body and auto emergency braking listed on the spec sheet.
Pick the Toyota Corolla if you need sedan practicality, the 470-litre boot and the stronger 137 hp, 172 Nm 1.8-litre engine.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Toyota Corolla RM144,800
- Engine: Mazda 3 Hatchback 1,496 cc; Toyota Corolla 1,798 cc
- Output: Mazda 3 Hatchback 118 hp/153 Nm; Toyota Corolla 137 hp/172 Nm
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Hatchback 295 L; Toyota Corolla 470 L
- Size: Mazda 3 Hatchback 4,460 mm long/2,725 mm wheelbase; Toyota Corolla 4,630 mm long/2,700 mm wheelbase
- Road tax: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM90/year; Toyota Corolla RM279/year
3 Hatchback
- RM25,180 cheaper to buy
- Lower RM90 annual road tax
- Auto emergency braking listed
- Smaller 295-litre boot
- Lower 118 hp and 153 Nm outputs
- No ASEAN NCAP rating listed
Corolla
- Bigger 470-litre boot
- Stronger 137 hp and 172 Nm outputs
- 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating
- RM25,180 higher price
- Higher RM279 annual road tax
- Auto emergency braking not listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 119,620✓ | RM 144,800 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp | 137 hp✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm | 172 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Aisin |
| 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 | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,368 kg | 1,365 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 295 litres | 470 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 | 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 | — |
| 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 | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| 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 | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front |
| 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 | 9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| 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 | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free service | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 279 |
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 Corolla FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Toyota Corolla better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is better for lower buying and running costs. The Toyota Corolla is better for boot space and engine output, with 470 litres and 137 hp versus 295 litres and 118 hp.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Corolla costs RM25,180 more than the Mazda 3 Hatchback, at RM144,800 versus RM119,620.
Which car has the bigger boot?
The Toyota Corolla has the much bigger boot: 470 litres against the Mazda 3 Hatchback’s 295 litres, a 175-litre advantage for luggage or family use.