Verdict
At RM119,620, the Mazda 3 Hatchback is RM3,380 cheaper yet brings five seats, a six-speed automatic and rated consumption of 5.9 L/100 km. Its RM90 annual road tax is dramatically easier to absorb than the Toyota Hiace’s RM835. The Hiace’s 260 Nm diesel torque, 70-litre tank and all-wheel drive suit work duties, but it is a two-seat commercial with a five-speed manual. For private transport, the Mazda’s six airbags, stability control and active safety make it the smarter Malaysian buy.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you need a five-seat private car with an automatic gearbox, much lower RM90 road tax and substantially fuller safety equipment.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if your priority is a two-seat commercial vehicle with 260 Nm of diesel torque, a 70-litre tank and all-wheel drive.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Toyota Hiace RM123,000.
- Annual road tax: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM90; Toyota Hiace RM835.
- Torque: Mazda 3 Hatchback 153 Nm; Toyota Hiace 260 Nm.
- Seating: Mazda 3 Hatchback 5 seats; Toyota Hiace 2 seats.
- Fuel tank: Mazda 3 Hatchback 51 litres; Toyota Hiace 70 litres.
- Airbags: Mazda 3 Hatchback 6 airbags; Toyota Hiace 2 airbags.
3 Hatchback
- RM3,380 lower purchase price and RM745 lower annual road tax.
- Six-speed automatic with 118 hp and rated 5.9 L/100 km consumption.
- Six airbags, stability control, front and rear Smart City Brake Support, and adaptive cruise control.
- 153 Nm is 107 Nm down on the Hiace’s 260 Nm.
- 51-litre fuel tank is 19 litres smaller.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Hiace’s all-wheel drive.
Hiace
- 260 Nm from its 2.5-litre turbo-diesel.
- 70-litre fuel tank and all-wheel drive.
- Full-size 15-inch steel spare tyre.
- Costs RM3,380 more and annual road tax is RM835 versus RM90.
- Only two seats and a five-speed manual gearbox.
- Two airbags, no stability control, no reverse camera and no parking sensors at the front.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM123,000 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Commercial |
| Segment | C-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM835 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp✓ | 101 hp |
| Torque | 153 Nm | 260 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 18.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | 6 | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,368 kg | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 295 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 15" Steel |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 4 stars — With 2 airbags and no stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | — |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| 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 | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Audio | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist | — |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | — |
| Parking Brake | 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✓ | 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 & Hiace for sale
3 Hatchback vs Hiace FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Toyota Hiace better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is better for private use: it has five seats, an automatic, six airbags and active safety. Choose the Toyota Hiace only if its two-seat commercial layout, 260 Nm diesel torque and all-wheel drive fit the job.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is RM3,380 cheaper than the Toyota Hiace. The bigger running-cost divide is annual road tax: RM90 for the Mazda versus RM835 for the Hiace.
Which one is cheaper to run on road tax?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is far cheaper on annual road tax at RM90. The Toyota Hiace costs RM835 per year, a RM745 difference.