Verdict
The Mazda CX-3 costs RM5,940 more at RM107,920, but that money changes the daily experience: it is a five-seat SUV with a six-speed automatic, 350-litre boot, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, plus blind-spot monitoring. The RM101,980 Mitsubishi Triton is a two-seat, six-speed manual pick-up with all-wheel drive and a huge 430 Nm from its 2.4-litre turbodiesel, against the Mazda’s 149 Nm. It is the work-focused choice, but its RM794 annual road tax is RM674 higher than the CX-3’s RM120.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you need five seats, an automatic gearbox and substantially stronger everyday cabin equipment.
Pick the Mitsubishi Triton if all-wheel drive, 430 Nm of diesel torque and a lower purchase price matter more than rear seating and convenience kit.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-3 RM107,920; Mitsubishi Triton RM101,980.
- Power and torque: Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm; Mitsubishi Triton 179 hp and 430 Nm.
- Transmission and drive: Mazda CX-3 six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive; Mitsubishi Triton six-speed manual and all-wheel drive.
- Seats and doors: Mazda CX-3 five seats and five doors; Mitsubishi Triton two seats and two doors.
- Fuel tank: Mazda CX-3 48 litres; Mitsubishi Triton 75 litres.
- Annual road tax: Mazda CX-3 RM120; Mitsubishi Triton RM794.
CX-3
- Six-speed automatic with Sport mode
- Five seats, five doors and a 350-litre boot
- Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, blind-spot monitoring and reversing camera
- 149 Nm trails the Triton’s 430 Nm
- Front-wheel drive versus the Triton’s all-wheel drive
- Five-year warranty is capped at 100,000 km, while the Triton’s has unlimited mileage
Triton
- 179 hp and 430 Nm 2.4-litre turbodiesel
- All-wheel drive with Easy Select 4WD
- RM5,940 cheaper with a 75-litre tank and unlimited-mileage five-year warranty
- Six-speed manual only, against the CX-3’s automatic
- Only two seats and two doors, versus the CX-3’s five seats and five doors
- Lacks the CX-3’s blind-spot monitoring, reversing camera and smartphone projection
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM107,920 | RM101,980✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Pickup |
| Segment | B-Segment | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC commonrail turbodiesel, variable geometry turbo |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 2,442 cc |
| Horsepower | 114 hp | 179 hp✓ |
| Torque | 149 Nm | 430 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 15.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode | 6MT |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,275 mm | 2,340 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,580 mm |
| Height | 1,535 mm | — |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,301 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 48 litres | 75 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 350 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R16 | 265/70R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R16 | 265/70R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Leaf Springs |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 16" Steel Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 16" Steel Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control | Easy Select 4WD |
| 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, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Front Passenger Seat |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen reflector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Normal Bulb |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Manual air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers | 2-DIN CD Radio with Bluetooth, AUX, USB |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Driver Side Auto Up & Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | — |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM794 |
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 & Triton for sale
CX-3 vs Triton FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or Mitsubishi Triton better?
The CX-3 is better for carrying up to five people with an automatic gearbox and much richer infotainment. The Triton is better where all-wheel drive and its 430 Nm diesel output are the priority, but it has only two seats and a manual.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-3 costs RM107,920 and the Mitsubishi Triton costs RM101,980, so the CX-3 is RM5,940 more expensive.
Which has lower running tax, the Mazda CX-3 or Mitsubishi Triton?
The Mazda CX-3 has far lower annual road tax at RM120. The Mitsubishi Triton is RM794 per year, a difference of RM674 annually.