Verdict
At RM119,620, the P is RM1,485 cheaper yet brings seven airbags, front and rear Smart City Brake Support, adaptive cruise control and a five-year/100,000 km warranty. Its 1.5 litre petrol engine also cuts annual road tax to RM90 and has a 5.9 L/100 km rating. But the M’s 2.0 litre makes a substantial 162 hp and 210 Nm against 118 hp and 153 Nm, and carries 13 litres more luggage. For a Malaysian buyer who values overtaking response, the M remains the stronger used-car proposition; the P is the better-equipped newer choice.
Pick the M if 162 hp, 210 Nm and the 308-litre boot matter more than driver-assistance systems and lower running costs.
Pick the P if you want seven airbags, Smart City Brake Support, adaptive cruise control and RM90 annual road tax in a newer CBU hatchback.
Key differences
- Price: M RM121,105; P RM119,620.
- Engine output: M 162 hp/210 Nm from 1,998 cc; P 118 hp/153 Nm from 1,496 cc.
- Road tax: M RM379 per year; P RM90 per year.
- Wheelbase and boot: M 2,700 mm/308 litres; P 2,725 mm/295 litres.
- Safety assistance: M has 6 airbags and no autonomous braking; P has 7 airbags with front and rear SCBS.
- Warranty: M 3 years/100,000 km; P 5 years/100,000 km.
BM
- 162 hp and 210 Nm 2.0 litre petrol engine.
- 308-litre boot, versus 295 litres.
- Front foglamps and rear-seat reminders.
- RM379 annual road tax versus RM90.
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking or adaptive cruise control.
- Three-year warranty versus five years.
BP
- Seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag.
- Front and rear Smart City Brake Support plus adaptive cruise control.
- 5.9 L/100 km rated economy and five-year/100,000 km warranty.
- 118 hp and 153 Nm, down from 162 hp and 210 Nm.
- 295-litre boot is 13 litres smaller.
- CBU Japanese assembly rather than Malaysian CKD.
What the BM has over the BP
What the BP has over the BM
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 | RM121,105 | RM119,620✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM90✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,235/mo | RM1,220/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,462 | RM3,390✓ |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM2,826 | RM2,348✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM14.13 | RM11.74✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM33,333 | 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 | 1,292 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 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 17 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | — | 14 inch |
| 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 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 Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Dynamic Bi-Xenon Projector | 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 | Manual Adjustment | 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 | — | 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 | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Central speedometer with digital rev counter | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 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 November 2026.
Used cars for sale
BM vs BP FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback BM or Mazda 3 Hatchback BP better?
The P is better for active safety, assistance systems, warranty cover and annual road tax. The M is better if performance and boot space are the priorities, with 162 hp, 210 Nm and 308 litres.
What is the price difference?
The P costs RM1,485 less than the M: RM119,620 against RM121,105. It also has lower annual road tax, at RM90 versus RM379.
Which Mazda 3 Hatchback has more safety equipment?
The P does. It has seven airbags, blind-spot monitoring, collision warning, steering correction, front and rear Smart City Brake Support, front parking sensors and adaptive cruise control. The M has six airbags and stability control.
Which one is locally assembled?
The BM 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.