Verdict
The ZS is 32% more powerful, while the ZS has a 21% bigger boot. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
What the CX-3 has over the ZS
What the ZS has over the CX-3
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The ZS is 53 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the ZS: 443 litres against 350.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM107,920 | RM103,900✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,100/mo | RM1,060/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,085 | RM2,981✓ |
| Fuel / year (est.) | — | RM2,746 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | — | RM13.73 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | — | RM29,236 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 1.5-litre Turbocharged Four-cylinder |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 114 hp at 6,000 rpm | 168 hp✓ |
| Torque | 149 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 275 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode | CVT with 8 Virtual Ratios |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 6.9 L/100 km |
| Co2 | — | 161 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,275 mm | 4,430 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,818 mm |
| Height | 1,535 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,610 mm |
| Weight | 1,301 kg | 1,390 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 48 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 350 litres | 443 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R16 | 215/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R16 | 215/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | 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 | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center 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, Front and Rear Outer with Pretensioners and Load Limiters |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats, 3 Top Tethers |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Safety Notes | — | MG Pilot ADAS 2.5: Speed Limit Recognition with Overspeed and Limit-change Warnings, Front Collision Alert, Emergency Brake Assist, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), Door Opening Warning (DOW), Intelligent Headlamp Control, Direct TPMS, Auto Hold, Hill Descent Control |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen reflector | LED, Auto with Intelligent Headlamp Control (Auto High Beam) and Follow Me Home |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function | 6-way Powered Driver's Seat with Manual Lumbar, 6-way Powered Passenger Seat, Ventilated, Perforated Leatherette |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding, Adjustable Headrests |
| Front Air-con | Manual air-con | Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Electric Panoramic Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB | 1 Front 12V, 4 USB (2 Front, 1 Rear-view Mirror, 1 Rear) |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | LED Front Reading Lights, Illuminated Vanity Mirrors, Boot Light |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Audio | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers | 12.3" Touchscreen, 6 Speakers, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, FM/AM Radio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, One-touch Up/Down Driver, One-touch Down Passengers |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation, Auto Door Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control (Intelligent Cruise Assist) |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Manual Tailgate |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | Yes |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree HD Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | MG iSMART connected-car app, 3 drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport), electronic gear lever, heated and auto-folding door mirrors, 12V socket, rear parcel tray |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 7 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | 5 years free maintenance (early-bird offer) |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used CX-3 & ZS for sale
Our reviews & guides
Mazda CX-3
CX-3 vs ZS FAQ
Which one is locally assembled?
The ZS is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the CX-3 is fully imported (CBU) from Japan. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.
Which has the better warranty?
The ZS carries a 7-year manufacturer warranty against 5 years for the CX-3. CX-3: 5-year/100,000 km Free Service. ZS: 5 years free maintenance (early-bird offer).