Mazda 3 Hatchback vs Toyota Hiace
Verdict
At RM119,620, the Mazda 3 Hatchback is the private-car choice: five seats, 4,460 mm length, 5.9 L/100 km and RM90 road tax make it easier to live with in town. The Toyota Hiace costs RM169,000 because it is a 10-seat commercial vehicle, not a bigger hatchback; its 5,915 mm body, 3,860 mm wheelbase, diesel 2.8-litre engine, 450 Nm and 70-litre tank suit moving people. But the RM49,380 extra also brings RM1,248 annual road tax and far larger parking demands.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want a five-seat petrol hatchback with lower running costs, 5.9 L/100 km consumption and RM90 annual road tax.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you need 10 seats, diesel torque and the space of a 5,915 mm commercial vehicle.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Toyota Hiace RM169,000
- Seats: Mazda 3 Hatchback 5; Toyota Hiace 10
- Engine and fuel: Mazda 3 Hatchback 1,496 cc petrol; Toyota Hiace 2,755 cc diesel
- Output: Mazda 3 Hatchback 118 hp/153 Nm; Toyota Hiace 175 hp/450 Nm
- Size: Mazda 3 Hatchback 4,460 x 1,795 x 1,435 mm; Toyota Hiace 5,915 x 1,950 x 2,280 mm
- Road tax: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM90 a year; Toyota Hiace RM1,248 a year
3 Hatchback
- RM49,380 cheaper to buy
- 5.9 L/100 km fuel economy
- 7 airbags and auto emergency braking
- Only five seats versus the Hiace’s 10
- 153 Nm torque is far below 450 Nm
- 295-litre boot
Hiace
- 10-seat cabin
- 450 Nm from its diesel engine
- 70-litre fuel tank and rear-wheel drive
- RM49,380 higher purchase price
- RM1,248 annual road tax
- 5,915 mm length and 2,280 mm height need space
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 119,620✓ | RM 169,000 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Commercial |
| Segment | C-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection, Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 2,755 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp | 175 hp✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 15.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 6 Speed Sequential Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 5,915 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 2,280 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 3,860 mm |
| Weight | 1,368 kg | 2,550 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 10 |
| Boot Space | 295 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 235/65R16C |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 235/65R16C |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Afghanistan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Ladder-frame |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Steel |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| 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 Passenger, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 10 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 | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| 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 | Manual recline |
| 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 | 7" Infotainment Touchscreen with 2 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, 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 | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 2 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 | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| 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 1,248 |
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 Hiace FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Toyota Hiace better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is better as a private daily car. The Toyota Hiace is better if you need 10 seats and commercial-vehicle space. They solve very different jobs.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Hiace is RM49,380 more expensive, at RM169,000 versus RM119,620 for the Mazda 3 Hatchback.
Which is cheaper to run on road tax?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is much cheaper on annual road tax at RM90. The Toyota Hiace costs RM1,248 a year.