Verdict
At RM119,620, the Mazda 3 Sedan saves RM29,380 over the RM149,000 Tesla Model 3, while its RM90 annual road tax is RM190 lower. It is the lower-cost petrol route, rated at 5.8 L/100 km, with a five-year/100,000 km warranty and free service. The Tesla answers with a 279 hp, 420 Nm rear motor, 534 km EV range and a 594-litre boot against 444 litres. Its 62.5-kWh battery accepts 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging, but it is 294 mm wider. For Malaysian buyers, EV range, luggage space and motor output cost more upfront and annually.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if you want to save RM29,380, pay RM90 yearly road tax and retain a five-year/100,000 km warranty with free service.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you prioritise its 279 hp and 420 Nm motor, 534 km EV range, 594-litre boot and 170 kW DC charging.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Sedan RM119,620; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Annual road tax: Mazda 3 Sedan RM90; Tesla Model 3 RM280.
- Power and torque: Mazda 3 Sedan 118 hp and 153 Nm; Tesla Model 3 279 hp and 420 Nm.
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Sedan 444 litres; Tesla Model 3 594 litres.
- Width: Mazda 3 Sedan 1,795 mm; Tesla Model 3 2,089 mm.
- Manufacturer warranty: Mazda 3 Sedan five years/100,000 km; Tesla Model 3 four years/80,000 km.
3 Sedan
- RM29,380 lower purchase price and RM90 annual road tax.
- Rated fuel economy of 5.8 L/100 km.
- Five-year/100,000 km warranty with free service, plus a head-up display.
- 118 hp and 153 Nm versus the Tesla’s 279 hp and 420 Nm.
- 444-litre boot is 150 litres smaller.
- No panoramic glass roof or rear air-con vents.
Model 3
- 279 hp and 420 Nm rear motor with a 534 km EV range.
- 62.5-kWh battery supports 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging.
- 594-litre boot, panoramic glass roof and HEPA air filter.
- Costs RM29,380 more and annual road tax is RM280 rather than RM90.
- Four-year/80,000 km manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Mazda’s five-year/100,000 km cover.
- No head-up display or front and rear parking sensors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM149,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM280 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| 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 | — | 279 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 420 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 62.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 534 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 170 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Tesla |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.2 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.8 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 201 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,361 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 444 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 255/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| 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 Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | 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 | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| 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 | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| 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 | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free service | 8-year/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance) |
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 & Model 3 for sale
3 Sedan vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Sedan or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is better for outright output, EV range and luggage space, with 279 hp, 534 km and a 594-litre boot. The Mazda 3 Sedan is the better lower-cost choice, with cheaper road tax and longer vehicle warranty coverage.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM29,380 more than the Mazda 3 Sedan. Its annual road tax is also RM190 higher, at RM280 versus RM90.
How does the Tesla Model 3 charge?
The Tesla Model 3 has a 62.5-kWh battery, an 11 kW AC charging rate and a 170 kW DC charging rate. Its stated EV range is 534 km.