Verdict
The V40 is 52% more powerful, the 3 Hatchback is about 30% cheaper, while the V40 has a 12% bigger boot. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
The V40 T4 R Design (RM180,888) sits above every 3 Hatchback variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
What the 3 Hatchback has over the V40
What the V40 has over the 3 Hatchback
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The 3 Hatchback's wheelbase is 78 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. Boot space favours the V40: 335 litres against 295.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM170,687 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM365 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,220/mo✓ | RM1,740/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,390✓ | RM4,751 |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM2,348✓ | RM3,303 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM11.74✓ | RM16.52 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM29,139✓ | RM42,094 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm | 245 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 350 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 8-Speed Geartronic |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.9 L/100 km✓ | 6.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 143 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 4,369 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,802 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,439 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,647 mm |
| Weight | 1,368 kg | 1,521 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 295 litres | 335 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | — |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 17 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | 14 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| 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 — With 7 airbags and stability control |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 7 (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 | Electric 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 outer rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | City Safety with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Power Adjustable 8-Way, Memory for Driver |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with CleanZone |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient 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 | 7" DVD/MP3 Player with 8 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 |
| 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 | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| 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 | — |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used 3 Hatchback & V40 for sale
Our reviews & guides
3 Hatchback vs V40 FAQ
Which one is locally assembled?
The V40 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the 3 Hatchback is fully imported (CBU) from Japan. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.