Mazda CX-3 vs MG S5
Verdict
At near-identical money, this is a petrol-versus-EV decision with very different hardware. The Mazda CX-3 costs RM107,920 and gives you a 1.5 litre petrol engine with 114 hp and 149 Nm, front-wheel drive and a 48 litre tank. The MG S5 is only RM628 more at RM108,548, but gets a 168 hp rear motor, a 49.0 kWh battery, 340 km range, a bigger body, 453 litres of boot space, seven airbags and AEB. Same RM120 road tax. On paper, the MG buys much more car.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you want the simpler petrol SUV, the more compact footprint and a 48 litre tank instead of charging.
Pick the MG S5 if you can charge at home or work and want more power, more boot space, more safety kit and a longer warranty for almost the same money.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-3 RM107,920; MG S5 RM108,548
- Powertrain: Mazda CX-3 1,496 cc petrol; MG S5 single electric motor with 49.0 kWh battery
- Power: Mazda CX-3 114 hp; MG S5 168 hp
- Size: Mazda CX-3 4,275 mm long and 1,765 mm wide; MG S5 4,476 mm long and 1,849 mm wide
- Boot space: Mazda CX-3 350 litres; MG S5 453 litres
- Safety: Mazda CX-3 2 airbags and no AEB; MG S5 7 airbags and AEB
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 107,920✓ | RM 108,548 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Engine | 1,496 cc | Single motor |
| Power | 114 hp | 168 hp✓ |
| Torque | 149 Nm | — |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | — | 49.0 kWh |
| EV range | — | 340 km |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 350 L | 453 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 48 L | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | — | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 7✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 120 | RM 120 |
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.
CX-3
- Lower price by RM628
- Petrol engine with 48 litre fuel tank
- Smaller 4,275 mm length is easier to place
- Only 114 hp against the MG S5’s 168 hp
- 350 litre boot is 103 litres smaller
- 2 airbags and no AEB
S5
- 168 hp rear-wheel-drive electric motor
- 453 litre boot and 2,730 mm wheelbase
- 7 airbags, AEB and 7-year warranty
- RM628 dearer than the Mazda CX-3
- Larger 4,476 mm length and 1,849 mm width
- 340 km EV range means charging has to fit your routine
CX-3 vs S5 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or MG S5 better?
The MG S5 is stronger on paper: 168 hp, 453 litres of boot space, seven airbags, AEB and a 7-year warranty. The Mazda CX-3 makes more sense if you specifically want petrol refuelling and a smaller SUV.
What is the price difference?
The MG S5 costs RM108,548, while the Mazda CX-3 costs RM107,920. That makes the MG S5 RM628 more expensive.
Which has more space?
The MG S5 is larger. It is 4,476 mm long with a 2,730 mm wheelbase and 453 litre boot, versus the Mazda CX-3’s 4,275 mm length, 2,570 mm wheelbase and 350 litre boot.