Mazda 3 Sedan vs Tesla Model 3
Verdict
The Mazda 3 Sedan is the lower-cost, lower-risk conventional choice at RM119,620, with a 1.5 litre petrol engine, 5.8 L/100 km economy, a spare tyre and 5-year/100,000 km warranty with free service. The Tesla Model 3 asks RM147,600, but the extra RM27,980 buys an EV with a 62.5 kWh LFP battery, 534 km range, 170 kW DC charging, 6.2-second 0-100 km/h and a much larger 594-litre boot. For Malaysian buyers, this is petrol familiarity versus electric pace and space.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if you want the cheaper car, lower RM90 road tax, a spare tyre and a longer 5-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you can charge at home or work and want 534 km EV range, 170 kW DC charging and the bigger 594-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Sedan RM119,620; Tesla Model 3 RM147,600
- Powertrain: Mazda 3 Sedan 1,496 cc petrol; Tesla Model 3 62.5 kWh electric
- Efficiency/range: Mazda 3 Sedan 5.8 L/100 km; Tesla Model 3 534 km EV range
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Sedan 444 litres; Tesla Model 3 594 litres
- Road tax: Mazda 3 Sedan RM90/year; Tesla Model 3 RM280/year
- Warranty: Mazda 3 Sedan 5 years/100,000 km; Tesla Model 3 4 years/80,000 km plus 8 years/160,000 km battery and drive unit
3 Sedan
- RM27,980 cheaper to buy
- Lower RM90 annual road tax
- 5-year/100,000 km warranty with 5-year/100,000 km free service
- Smaller 444-litre boot versus 594 litres
- No rear air-con vents versus rear vents
- No powered boot or panoramic glass roof
Model 3
- 534 km EV range with 170 kW DC charging
- Quicker on paper, with 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds
- Larger 594-litre boot
- Costs RM27,980 more to buy
- Higher RM280 annual road tax
- No space-saver spare tyre listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 119,620✓ | RM 147,600 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| 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 | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium Iron Phosphate |
| Battery Capacity | — | 62.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 534 km |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS2 |
| 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) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| 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 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| 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) |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 280 |
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.
3 Sedan vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Sedan or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is stronger on pace, boot space and EV running, with 534 km range and a 594-litre boot. The Mazda 3 Sedan is better if you want lower purchase price, lower road tax and a longer manufacturer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda 3 Sedan costs RM119,620, while the Tesla Model 3 costs RM147,600. That makes the Tesla RM27,980 more expensive.
Which car has the bigger boot?
The Tesla Model 3 has the bigger boot at 594 litres. The Mazda 3 Sedan has 444 litres, so the Tesla gives you an extra 150 litres of luggage space.