Verdict
The S70 is about 50% cheaper, while the S70 has a 11% bigger boot. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
The 3 Sedan 1.5 High Plus (RM119,620) sits above every S70 variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
What the 3 Sedan has over the S70
What the S70 has over the 3 Sedan
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The 3 Sedan's wheelbase is 98 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. Boot space favours the S70: 500 litres against 444.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620 | RM59,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,220/mo | RM610/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,390 | RM1,834✓ |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM2,308 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM11.54 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM28,940 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC DVVT (i-GT), Port Fuel Injection |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm | 118 hp at 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ | 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm | 73.4 mm × 88.57 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 8-speed CVT with Manual Mode |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.8 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 186 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 | 1,269 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 | — |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | 24 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 17 inch | 17 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Turbine-style Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Turbine-style Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Electric Power Steering |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | — |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | ISOFIX with Top Tether |
| 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 | Rear Seat Reminder, All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Warning, Door Opening Warning; no AEB/ACC/lane-keep (camera ADAS reserved for 1.5TD Flagship variants) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen |
| 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 | Fabric |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding, Fixed Headrests |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air Conditioning |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 2 USB-A and 1 USB-C Front, 1 USB-A and 1 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Front and Rear Interior Lamps |
| Cup Holders | 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 Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up/Down with Anti-trap |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start with Remote Engine Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist | Cruise Control with Speed Limiter |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 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 | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials | N95 cabin filter; Eco/Sport/Comfort drive modes; Auto Brake Hold; 12V socket (120W); electric door mirrors with manual fold; urethane steering wheel; aerokit optional |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free service | 6x 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. 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 3 Sedan & S70 for sale
Our reviews & guides
3 Sedan vs S70 FAQ
Which one is locally assembled?
The S70 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the 3 Sedan 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.