Verdict
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is the rational Malaysian buy at RM119,620, undercutting the Volvo V40 by RM51,067 while using 5.9 L/100 km and attracting RM90 annual road tax. Its 2.725-metre wheelbase, 18-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control and rear camera make it the better-equipped everyday choice. The Volvo counters with a huge 245 hp and 350 Nm against 118 hp and 153 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. It also carries 40 litres more boot space and a 62-litre tank, but its RM365 road tax and 6.1 L/100 km rating make the performance premium costly.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want to save RM51,067, pay RM275 less annual road tax and get adaptive cruise control, navigation and a reverse camera.
Pick the Volvo V40 if 245 hp, 350 Nm, a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time and the larger 335-litre boot matter more than the higher purchase and running costs.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Volvo V40 RM170,687.
- Output: Mazda 3 Hatchback 118 hp and 153 Nm; Volvo V40 245 hp and 350 Nm.
- Fuel economy: Mazda 3 Hatchback 5.9 L/100 km; Volvo V40 6.1 L/100 km.
- Annual road tax: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM90; Volvo V40 RM365.
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Hatchback 295 litres; Volvo V40 335 litres.
- Wheelbase: Mazda 3 Hatchback 2,725 mm; Volvo V40 2,647 mm.
3 Hatchback
- RM51,067 less to buy with RM90 annual road tax.
- Adaptive cruise control, navigation, head-up display and reverse camera.
- 5.9 L/100 km rated economy and a 2,725 mm wheelbase.
- 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the Volvo's 245 hp and 350 Nm by a wide margin.
- 295-litre boot is 40 litres smaller than the Volvo's.
- Five-year warranty is capped at 100,000 km; the Volvo's is unlimited-mileage.
V40
- 245 hp, 350 Nm and a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 335-litre boot and 62-litre fuel tank.
- Five-star Euro NCAP and ANCAP ratings, plus an unlimited-mileage five-year warranty.
- Costs RM51,067 more than the Mazda.
- RM365 annual road tax is RM275 higher than the Mazda's.
- 6.1 L/100 km rated economy is slightly higher than the Mazda's 5.9 L/100 km.
| 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 |
| 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 | 245 hp✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm | 350 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 82 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 | — |
| 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 | 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 | 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.
Used 3 Hatchback & V40 for sale
3 Hatchback vs V40 FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Volvo V40 better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is better for lower ownership costs and driver assistance equipment, including adaptive cruise control and a reverse camera. Choose the Volvo V40 for its 245 hp turbo engine, 6.3-second sprint and 335-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo V40 costs RM170,687 and the Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM119,620, so the Volvo requires an extra RM51,067.
Which car is cheaper to run each year?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback has the lower rated fuel use at 5.9 L/100 km versus 6.1 L/100 km, and its annual road tax is RM90 rather than RM365. It also includes five years or 100,000 km of free service.