Verdict
The Proton S70 is the clear numbers-led choice: RM45,820 less buys a 178 hp, 290 Nm 1.5-litre turbo and wet seven-speed DCT, against the Mazda 3 Sedan’s 118 hp, 153 Nm 1.5-litre and six-speed automatic. Its 500-litre boot also beats 444 litres. The Mazda counters with a 2,725 mm wheelbase, 18-inch wheels, eight speakers and adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist. Both are five-seat C-segment sedans with front-wheel drive, RM90 annual road tax and extensive active-safety equipment. Choose the Mazda for its richer cabin and driver aids; choose the Proton for performance and savings.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if you want adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, a head-up display and an eight-speaker infotainment system.
Pick the Proton S70 if you want 178 hp and 290 Nm, a 500-litre boot and a RM45,820 saving.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Sedan RM119,620; Proton S70 RM73,800.
- Power and torque: Mazda 3 Sedan 118 hp and 153 Nm; Proton S70 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- Transmission: Mazda 3 Sedan six-speed conventional automatic; Proton S70 seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic.
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Sedan 444 litres; Proton S70 500 litres.
- Wheelbase: Mazda 3 Sedan 2,725 mm; Proton S70 2,627 mm.
- Wheels: Mazda 3 Sedan 18-inch alloys with 215/45R18 tyres; Proton S70 16-inch alloys with 205/55R16 tyres.
3 Sedan
- Adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist
- Head-up display and 8.8-inch MZD Connect with eight speakers
- Driver’s knee airbag, auto wipers and dual-zone climate control
- RM45,820 more expensive
- 60 hp and 137 Nm down on the Proton S70
- 444-litre boot is 56 litres smaller
S70
- 178 hp, 290 Nm turbo engine and 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- 500-litre boot
- Unlimited-mileage five-year warranty and rear air-con vents
- Manual air-con versus the Mazda’s dual-zone automatic system
- Four speakers versus eight in the Mazda
- No head-up display, auto wipers or paddle shifters
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620 | RM73,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp | 178 hp✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm | 290 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | — |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.8 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,602 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,809 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,466 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,627 mm |
| Weight | 1,361 kg | 1,300 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 444 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 205/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 205/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Giti Comfort F22 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | 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 |
| 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| 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" Touchscreen with Bluetooh, Screen Mirroring, 4 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 | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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 | 6 Times Free Labour Servicing |
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 & S70 for sale
3 Sedan vs S70 FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Sedan or Proton S70 better?
The Proton S70 is better for value, outright output and luggage capacity, with 178 hp, 290 Nm and a 500-litre boot. The Mazda 3 Sedan is better equipped for driver assistance and cabin features, including traffic-jam adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda 3 Sedan costs RM45,820 more than the Proton S70.
Which car has the better warranty?
Both have a five-year manufacturer warranty, but the Proton S70 has unlimited mileage. The Mazda 3 Sedan warranty ends at 100,000 km and includes five-year/100,000 km free service.