Verdict
At RM119,620, the Mazda 3 Hatchback BP is RM6,656 cheaper yet adds front-and-rear Smart City Brake Support, steering lane correction and adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist. That makes it the sharper everyday buy. But the outgoing Mazda 3 Hatchback BM Facelift answers with a 2.0-litre engine producing 162 hp and 210 Nm, against the BP’s 118 hp and 153 Nm, plus a 308-litre boot. For a Malaysian used-car buyer, the BM’s RM379 annual road tax versus RM90 also needs to be part of the calculation.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback BM Facelift if 162 hp, 210 Nm and its 308-litre boot matter more to you than lower running costs and newer driver assistance.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback BP if you want the lower RM90 road tax, adaptive cruise control and front-and-rear autonomous braking.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback BM Facelift RM126,276; Mazda 3 Hatchback BP RM119,620.
- Engine output: BM Facelift 162 hp and 210 Nm; BP 118 hp and 153 Nm.
- Road tax: BM Facelift RM379 per year; BP RM90 per year.
- Wheelbase and boot: BM Facelift 2,700 mm and 308 litres; BP 2,725 mm and 295 litres.
- Airbags and lane assist: BM Facelift six airbags with warning-only lane keeping; BP seven airbags with steering correction.
- Climate control and cruise control: BM Facelift single-zone automatic air-con with passive cruise; BP dual-zone automatic air-con with adaptive cruise and…
BM Facelift
- 162 hp and 210 Nm from the 2.0-litre engine.
- Larger 308-litre boot.
- Adaptive LED projector headlamps and front foglamps.
- RM6,656 more expensive and RM289 more annual road tax.
- Six airbags, warning-only lane keeping and front-only Smart City Brake System.
- Single-zone climate control and passive cruise control.
BP
- Lower RM119,620 price and RM90 annual road tax.
- Seven airbags, front-and-rear Smart City Brake Support and lane steering correction.
- Adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Its 1.5-litre engine produces 118 hp and 153 Nm, down 44 hp and 57 Nm.
- 295-litre boot is 13 litres smaller.
- No front foglamps.
What the BM Facelift has over the BP
What the BP has over the BM Facelift
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM126,276 | RM119,620✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM90✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,290/mo | RM1,220/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,596 | RM3,390✓ |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM2,826 | RM2,348✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM14.13 | RM11.74✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM34,005 | RM29,139✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 162 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 210 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | —✓ | 5.9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 4,460 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,450 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,725 mm |
| Weight | 1,344 kg | 1,368 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 308 litres✓ | 295 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes T1 Sport | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake System (4-80 km/h) | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with high beam assist | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" Touch-screen with Commander Control, navigation, CD, Bluetooth, AUX and USB, 6 speakers | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | Passive 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 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 | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Central rev counter with digital speedometer | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 3-year/60,000 km free service | 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 October 2026.
Used cars for sale
BM Facelift vs BP FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback BM Facelift or Mazda 3 Hatchback BP better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback BP is the better all-round buy: it costs less, has lower road tax, seven airbags, front-and-rear autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. Choose the BM Facelift if its 162 hp 2.0-litre engine and larger boot are the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback BP is RM6,656 cheaper than the Mazda 3 Hatchback BM Facelift. Its annual road tax is also RM289 lower, at RM90 versus RM379.
Which Mazda 3 hatchback has the stronger engine?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback BM Facelift does. Its 1,998 cc engine makes 162 hp and 210 Nm, while the BP’s 1,496 cc engine produces 118 hp and 153 Nm.
Which one is locally assembled?
The BM Facelift is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the BP 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.