Verdict
At RM119,620, the Mazda 3 Sedan costs RM2,789 less and its RM90 annual road tax is far easier to swallow than the CX-30’s RM439. It also has a 5.8 L/100 km rated consumption figure, a 444-litre boot and front/rear Smart City Brake Support, steering lane correction and adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist. The CX-30 counters with 162 hp and 213 Nm against 118 hp and 153 Nm, plus a sunroof and powered tailgate. For Malaysian buyers, the Sedan is the better-equipped, lower-running-cost choice.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if you want lower road tax and fuel use, a larger 444-litre boot, and a much fuller active-safety suite.
Pick the Mazda CX-30 if you prioritise its 162 hp/213 Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine, SUV body and a sunroof with powered tailgate.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Sedan RM119,620; Mazda CX-30 RM122,409.
- Engine output: Mazda 3 Sedan 118 hp and 153 Nm; Mazda CX-30 162 hp and 213 Nm.
- Rated economy: Mazda 3 Sedan 5.8 L/100 km; Mazda CX-30 6.4 L/100 km.
- Road tax: Mazda 3 Sedan RM90 per year; Mazda CX-30 RM439 per year.
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Sedan 444 litres; Mazda CX-30 430 litres.
- Dimensions: Mazda 3 Sedan 4,660 mm long and 1,440 mm tall; Mazda CX-30 4,395 mm long and 1,540 mm tall.
3 Sedan
- RM2,789 cheaper with RM90 annual road tax.
- 5.8 L/100 km rated economy and a 444-litre boot.
- Smart City Brake Support front and rear, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control.
- 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the CX-30’s 162 hp and 213 Nm.
- No sunroof or powered tailgate.
- 4,660 mm length is 265 mm longer than the CX-30.
CX-30
- 162 hp and 213 Nm from its 1,998 cc petrol engine.
- Sunroof and powered tailgate.
- 1,540 mm height and five-door SUV body.
- RM439 annual road tax versus RM90 for the Mazda 3 Sedan.
- 6.4 L/100 km rated economy versus 5.8 L/100 km.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring or front/rear parking sensors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM122,409 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp | 162 hp✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm | 213 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 13 |
| 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 | 5.8 L/100 km✓ | 6.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 196 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,395 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,655 mm |
| Weight | 1,361 kg | 1,441 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 444 litres✓ | 430 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/65R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/65R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE51 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| 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 Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | Emergency Stop Signal |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map 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 | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| 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 with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| 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 | Powered with Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 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 | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials | 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 | 5-year/100,000 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.
Used 3 Sedan & CX-30 for sale
3 Sedan vs CX-30 FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Sedan or Mazda CX-30 better?
The Mazda 3 Sedan is the better buy for equipment, safety technology, rated economy and annual road tax. Choose the CX-30 instead only if its 162 hp engine, taller SUV body, sunroof and powered tailgate matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-30 costs RM122,409, which is RM2,789 more than the Mazda 3 Sedan at RM119,620. Its annual road tax is also RM439, compared with RM90 for the Sedan.
Which has the better safety equipment?
The Mazda 3 Sedan has the stronger safety kit: front and rear Smart City Brake Support, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping steering correction and collision warning. The CX-30 has neither autonomous braking nor lane-keeping assist.