Mazda 3 Hatchback vs Volkswagen Golf GTI
Verdict
The Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM119,620 against the Volkswagen Golf GTI’s RM244,012, so the RM124,392 gap is huge. The Mazda gives the Malaysian buyer lower road tax at RM90, a five-year warranty and a longer 2,725 mm wheelbase, with 5.9 L/100 km quoted fuel use. The Golf GTI is the driver’s car on numbers: 261 hp, 370 Nm, 5.9 seconds to 100 km/h and 250 km/h flat out. It also has the larger boot, at 350 litres versus 295 litres.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want the lower purchase price, lower RM90 road tax, longer warranty and better quoted economy.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf GTI if you want far stronger performance, a 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time and the bigger 350-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Volkswagen Golf GTI RM244,012
- Engine output: Mazda 118 hp and 153 Nm; Volkswagen 261 hp and 370 Nm
- Acceleration: Mazda not listed; Volkswagen 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds
- Top speed: Mazda 200 km/h; Volkswagen 250 km/h
- Wheelbase: Mazda 2,725 mm; Volkswagen 2,631 mm
- Boot space: Mazda 295 litres; Volkswagen 350 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 119,620✓ | RM 244,012 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,496 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Power | 118 hp | 261 hp✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm | 370 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | — | 5.9 s |
| Top speed | 200 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 5.9 L/100km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 4,289 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,789 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,631 mm |
| Boot space | 295 L | 350 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 51 L | 50 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 | 7 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5✓ | 2 |
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 372 |
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
- RM124,392 cheaper to buy
- Five-year warranty versus two years
- Quoted 5.9 L/100 km fuel economy
- Much less power: 118 hp versus 261 hp
- Smaller 295-litre boot
- No listed 0-100 km/h time
Golf GTI
- 261 hp and 370 Nm
- 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Larger 350-litre boot
- Costs RM244,012
- RM372 annual road tax
- Two-year warranty versus five years
3 Hatchback vs Golf GTI FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Volkswagen Golf GTI better?
For cost, warranty and quoted fuel economy, the Mazda 3 Hatchback is the better buy. For performance, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is far ahead with 261 hp, 370 Nm and a 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Golf GTI costs RM124,392 more than the Mazda 3 Hatchback.
Which car has more boot space?
The Volkswagen Golf GTI has the larger boot at 350 litres. The Mazda 3 Hatchback has 295 litres, so the Golf gives you an extra 55 litres.