Mazda 3 Sedan: BM vs BP
Verdict
At RM106,105 against RM119,620, the Mazda 3 Sedan BM saves RM13,515 and gives you the bigger punch: 1,998 cc, 162 hp and 210 Nm versus the BP’s 1,496 cc, 118 hp and 153 Nm. The newer Mazda 3 Sedan BP answers with the things Malaysian owners live with daily: AEB, seven airbags, a longer 2,725 mm wheelbase, 444 litres of boot space, 5.8 L/100 km fuel use, five-year warranty and RM90 road tax. The BM is the better driver’s buy on numbers; the BP is the safer, lower-running-cost upgrade.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan BM if you want the lower buy-in and the stronger 1,998 cc engine, and can live without AEB and the BP’s extra warranty.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan BP if you want the newer-generation sedan with AEB, seven airbags, a bigger boot and much lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Sedan BM RM106,105 vs Mazda 3 Sedan BP RM119,620
- Engine output: BM 1,998 cc, 162 hp, 210 Nm vs BP 1,496 cc, 118 hp, 153 Nm
- Size and boot: BM 4,580 mm long, 2,700 mm wheelbase, 408 L vs BP 4,660 mm, 2,725 mm, 444 L
- Safety kit: BM 6 airbags and no AEB listed vs BP 7 airbags and AEB
- Warranty and road tax: BM 3 years and RM379/year vs BP 5 years and RM90/year
- Assembly: BM CKD vs BP CBU
BM
- RM13,515 cheaper than the BP
- Stronger 162 hp and 210 Nm output
- Larger 1,998 cc engine
- No AEB listed
- 6 airbags versus the BP’s 7
- Shorter 3-year warranty
BP
- AEB is fitted
- 7 airbags and 5-year warranty
- 444 L boot and 5.8 L/100 km rated fuel use
- Costs RM13,515 more
- 118 hp and 153 Nm are well below the BM
- Smaller 1,496 cc engine
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 106,105✓ | RM 119,620 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 162 hp✓ | 118 hp |
| Torque | 210 Nm✓ | 153 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | 74.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | —✓ | 5.8 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,450 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,725 mm |
| Weight | 1,292 kg | 1,361 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 408 litres | 444 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/60R16 | 215/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/60R16 | 215/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo NanoEnergy R38 | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" Touch-screen with Commander Control, CD, Bluetooth, AUX and USB, 6 speakers | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Central speedometer with digital rev counter | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 3-year/60,000 km free service | 5-year/100,000 km free service |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 379 | RM 90✓ |
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.
BM vs BP FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Sedan BM or Mazda 3 Sedan BP better?
For most buyers, the Mazda 3 Sedan BP is better because it gets AEB, 7 airbags, a 5-year warranty, 444 L boot and RM90 annual road tax. Choose the BM if engine output matters more.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda 3 Sedan BP costs RM13,515 more than the Mazda 3 Sedan BM.
Which has the stronger engine?
The Mazda 3 Sedan BM. Its 1,998 cc petrol engine makes 162 hp and 210 Nm, against the BP’s 1,496 cc unit with 118 hp and 153 Nm. Both use a conventional automatic and front-wheel drive.