Mazda CX-3 vs Mitsubishi Xpander
Verdict
The CX-3 is the pricier, smaller Mazda: RM107,920 buys a five-seat SUV with 114 hp and 149 Nm. The Xpander costs RM99,980, seats seven and gives 495 litres of boot space, so the RM7,940 saving comes with the family-car basics Malaysian buyers usually feel every day. Mazda counters with 10 hp and 8 Nm more from a near-identical 1.5-litre engine, plus a slightly wider body. Both are front-wheel-drive automatics with two airbags, no AEB, a five-year warranty and RM120 road tax.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you want the higher-output 114 hp/149 Nm five-seat SUV and can accept the RM107,920 price and 350-litre boot.
Pick the Mitsubishi Xpander if you need seven seats, 495 litres of boot space and the lower RM99,980 price more than the Mazda’s extra output.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-3 RM107,920; Mitsubishi Xpander RM99,980
- Seats: Mazda CX-3 5; Mitsubishi Xpander 7
- Output: Mazda CX-3 114 hp/149 Nm; Mitsubishi Xpander 104 hp/141 Nm
- Dimensions: Mazda CX-3 4,275 x 1,765 x 1,535 mm; Mitsubishi Xpander 4,475 x 1,750 x 1,720 mm
- Wheelbase: Mazda CX-3 2,570 mm; Mitsubishi Xpander 2,775 mm
- Boot space: Mazda CX-3 350 litres; Mitsubishi Xpander 495 litres
CX-3
- 114 hp and 149 Nm, higher than the Xpander
- 15 mm wider body
- 48-litre fuel tank, 3 litres larger
- RM7,940 dearer
- Five seats only
- 350-litre boot trails the Xpander’s 495 litres
Xpander
- Seven seats
- RM7,940 cheaper
- 495-litre boot with a 2,775 mm wheelbase
- 104 hp and 141 Nm, lower than the Mazda
- 45-litre fuel tank is smaller
- 1,750 mm width is 15 mm narrower
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 107,920 | RM 99,980✓ |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 114 hp✓ | 104 hp |
| Torque | 149 Nm✓ | 141 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 75 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode | 4AT |
| Gears | 6 | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,275 mm | 4,475 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,750 mm |
| Height | 1,535 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,775 mm |
| Weight | 1,301 kg | 1,240 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 48 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 350 litres | 495 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R16 | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R16 | 205/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Bridgestone Ecopia 150 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" 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 | — |
| 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 |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen reflector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| 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 | Second row 60:40 Split Fold, Third row 50:50 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Manual air-con | Single-zone Manual Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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 | 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 vs Xpander FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or Mitsubishi Xpander better?
For family use, the Mitsubishi Xpander is the better pick: it costs RM7,940 less, seats seven and has 495 litres of boot space. Choose the Mazda CX-3 if you want more power and only need five seats.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-3 costs RM107,920, while the Mitsubishi Xpander costs RM99,980. That makes the Mazda RM7,940 more expensive.
Which has more space?
The Mitsubishi Xpander has more usable space on paper, with seven seats, a 2,775 mm wheelbase and 495 litres of boot space. The Mazda CX-3 has five seats, a 2,570 mm wheelbase and 350 litres.