Verdict
The Mazda 3 Sedan costs RM119,620, undercutting the Nissan Leaf by RM49,268, yet brings a larger 444-litre boot, 18-inch wheels and a far richer cabin and driver-assistance count. Its 1.5-litre petrol engine makes 118 hp and 153 Nm, with a rated 5.8 L/100 km consumption figure. The Leaf answers with EV running, a 148-hp, 320-Nm motor and 270 km range from its 40 kWh battery, but costs RM168,888. For Malaysian buyers with dependable charging, the Leaf’s instant torque is the point; otherwise the Mazda is the more complete buy for less money.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if you want to save RM49,268 while getting a 444-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and a 5-year/100,000 km warranty.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you have charging access and prioritise its 148 hp, 320 Nm electric motor and 270 km EV range.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Sedan RM119,620; Nissan Leaf RM168,888.
- Powertrain: Mazda 3 Sedan 118 hp and 153 Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine; Nissan Leaf 148 hp and 320 Nm electric motor.
- Energy use: Mazda 3 Sedan rated at 5.8 L/100 km with a 51-litre tank; Nissan Leaf has a 40 kWh battery and 270 km EV range.
- Dimensions: Mazda 3 Sedan is 4,660 mm long with a 2,725 mm wheelbase; Nissan Leaf is 4,480 mm long with a 2,690 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Sedan 444 litres; Nissan Leaf 435 litres.
- Charging and warranty: Nissan Leaf supports 6.6 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging with an 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty; Mazda 3 Sedan has a 5-year/100,000 km…
3 Sedan
- RM49,268 cheaper.
- 444-litre boot and 18-inch alloy wheels.
- Adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring and front/rear parking sensors.
- 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the Leaf's 148 hp and 320 Nm.
- No Around View Monitor.
- Four-door sedan body versus the Leaf's five-door hatchback.
Leaf
- 148 hp and 320 Nm electric motor.
- 270 km range; 6.6 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging.
- Around View Monitor and 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty.
- Costs RM49,268 more.
- 435-litre boot is 9 litres smaller.
- Passive cruise control and no blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM168,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | — |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 118 hp | — |
| Torque | 153 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 148 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 320 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 40.0 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 270 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 6.6 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 50.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Nissan |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.9 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.8 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 155 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 1,361 kg | 1,544 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 444 litres✓ | 435 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/50R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/50R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Dunlop Enasave EC300 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | e-Pedal, Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| 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 | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) |
| 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 | 6.6 kW Wallbox, 7" Information Display, Climate Control Timer |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free service | 3-year/60,000 km Free Service, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Complimentary Usage of Nissan SUV, MPV or Pick-up for 23 Days per Year |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM100 |
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 & Leaf for sale
3 Sedan vs Leaf FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Sedan or Nissan Leaf better?
The Mazda 3 Sedan is the better all-round value choice at RM119,620, with more driver assistance and a slightly larger boot. Choose the Nissan Leaf only if its 270 km electric range, 320 Nm motor torque and charging capability suit your routine.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Leaf costs RM49,268 more than the Mazda 3 Sedan: RM168,888 against RM119,620.
Which has the better warranty coverage?
The Mazda gets a 5-year/100,000 km vehicle warranty and free service. The Leaf has a 3-year/100,000 km vehicle warranty, 3-year/60,000 km free service and an 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty.