Verdict
At RM104,468, the MG S5 costs RM3,452 less than the RM107,920 Mazda CX-3 yet brings a 168-hp, 250-Nm rear motor, 49-kWh battery and 340-km range. It is also 201 mm longer, with a 160-mm longer wheelbase and a 453-litre boot against 350 litres. The CX-3 counters with a 48-litre petrol tank, space-saver spare, head-up display and power driver’s seat memory. But its 114 hp and 149 Nm naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine trail the MG, while the EV adds 120-kW DC charging, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. For Malaysian buyers able to charge, the MG is the stronger paper choice.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you want a petrol SUV with a head-up display, power driver’s seat memory and a space-saver spare tyre.
Pick the MG S5 if you can charge at home or work and want 340 km of EV range, a larger boot and stronger motor output for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-3 RM107,920; MG S5 RM104,468.
- Power and torque: Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm; MG S5 168 hp and 250 Nm.
- Length and wheelbase: Mazda CX-3 4,275 mm and 2,570 mm; MG S5 4,476 mm and 2,730 mm.
- Boot space: Mazda CX-3 350 litres; MG S5 453 litres.
- Rear suspension: Mazda CX-3 torsion beam; MG S5 multi-link.
- Manufacturer warranty: Mazda CX-3 five years/100,000 km; MG S5 seven years/150,000 km.
CX-3
- Head-up display and power driver’s seat with memory.
- Space-saver spare tyre instead of a repair kit.
- 48-litre petrol tank.
- 350-litre boot is 103 litres smaller than the MG S5’s.
- 114 hp and 149 Nm fall behind the MG S5’s 168 hp and 250 Nm.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist, where the MG has both.
S5
- 168 hp, 250 Nm rear motor and 340-km EV range.
- 453-litre boot and 2,730-mm wheelbase.
- 120-kW DC charging, 2.5-kW V2L and adaptive cruise control.
- Tyre repair kit rather than the CX-3’s space-saver spare.
- Manual fabric front seats, versus the CX-3’s power driver’s seat with memory.
- No head-up display.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM107,920 | RM104,468✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 114 hp | — |
| Torque | 149 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 168 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 250 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 49 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 340 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 120 kW |
| V2L | — | 2.5 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.0 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,275 mm | 4,476 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,849 mm |
| Height | 1,535 mm | 1,621 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,730 mm |
| Weight | 1,301 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 48 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 350 litres | 453 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R16 | 215/60R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R16 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Bridgestone Turanza T005 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" Black Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" Black Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 4 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee Airbag |
| 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 Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen reflector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function | Fabric; Six-way Manual Driver Seat, Four-way Manual Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 1 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Manual |
| 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 | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 150,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 7 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | Battery pack 8-yr/180,000 km; motor control unit 8-yr/160,000 km |
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 CX-3 & S5 for sale
CX-3 vs S5 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or MG S5 better?
The MG S5 is the better fit for most buyers with dependable charging, as it costs less while delivering 168 hp, 340 km of range, a 453-litre boot and more driver assistance. Choose the CX-3 for petrol operation, a head-up display and a space-saver spare.
What is the price difference?
The MG S5 is RM3,452 cheaper than the Mazda CX-3. The S5 costs RM104,468, while the CX-3 costs RM107,920.
Which one has the better warranty and charging support?
The MG S5 has the longer vehicle warranty at seven years or 150,000 km, against five years or 100,000 km for the CX-3. Its battery is covered for eight years or 180,000 km, and it supports 7-kW AC and 120-kW DC charging.