Verdict
At RM107,920, the Mazda CX-3 costs RM1,880 less, but it is a much smaller B-segment SUV: 4,275 mm long with a 350-litre boot. The RM109,800 Proton eMas 7 PHEV is 465 mm longer, has 528 litres of luggage room and adds an 18.4-kWh battery for 83 km of EV range. Its 215-hp, 258-Nm motor and 8.0-second 0-100 km/h claim give it the stronger numbers, while the Mazda answers with a compact footprint, 1,301-kg kerb weight, power driver’s seat memory and blind-spot monitoring.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you want the smaller 4,275-mm SUV, a power driver’s seat with memory, blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.
Pick the Proton eMas 7 PHEV if you need 83 km of EV range, a 528-litre boot, rear air-con and adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-3 RM107,920; Proton eMas 7 PHEV RM109,800.
- Length and boot space: Mazda CX-3 4,275 mm and 350 litres; Proton eMas 7 PHEV 4,740 mm and 528 litres.
- Power and torque: Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm; Proton eMas 7 PHEV motor 215 hp and 258 Nm.
- Battery and EV range: Mazda CX-3 has no battery or EV range; Proton eMas 7 PHEV has an 18.4-kWh battery and 83 km.
- Wheels: Mazda CX-3 has 16-inch alloys with 215/60R16 tyres; Proton eMas 7 PHEV has 18-inch alloys with 225/55R18 tyres.
- Rear suspension: Mazda CX-3 torsion beam; Proton eMas 7 PHEV multi-link.
CX-3
- Smaller 4,275-mm length and 1,301-kg weight.
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory.
- Blind-spot monitoring and head-up display.
- 350-litre boot versus 528 litres.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping steering correction.
- Manual air-con with no rear vents.
eMas 7 PHEV
- 18.4-kWh battery with 83 km EV range.
- 215-hp, 258-Nm motor and 8.0-second 0-100 km/h claim.
- Adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, autonomous braking and rear air-con.
- No blind-spot information system or head-up display.
- Manual-adjust front seats, versus the Mazda’s power driver’s seat with memory.
- 1,735 kg kerb weight versus 1,301 kg.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM107,920✓ | RM109,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Atkinson Cycle |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 114 hp✓ | 98 hp |
| Torque | 149 Nm✓ | 125 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 215 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 258 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 18.4 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 83 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 6.6 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 30 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,275 mm | 4,740 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,940 mm |
| Height | 1,535 mm | 1,685 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | 1,301 kg | 1,735 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 48 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 350 litres | 528 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R16 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R16 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" 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 |
| 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen reflector | LED Projector with Automatic High Beam |
| 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Manual air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 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 | 15.4" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Manual Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 3 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 | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 6 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | 8-Year/160,000 km Hybrid and Components Warranty, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | — |
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 & eMas 7 PHEV for sale
CX-3 vs eMas 7 PHEV FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or Proton eMas 7 PHEV better?
The Proton eMas 7 PHEV is the stronger family-car choice, with 528 litres of boot space, rear air-con, active safety assists and 83 km of EV range. Choose the Mazda CX-3 for its smaller dimensions, power seat memory, blind-spot monitoring and head-up display.
What is the price difference?
The Proton eMas 7 PHEV costs RM1,880 more than the Mazda CX-3.
Which has more luggage space and EV capability?
The Proton eMas 7 PHEV has the larger 528-litre boot, against 350 litres in the Mazda CX-3. It also has an 18.4-kWh battery, 83 km of EV range, 6.6-kW AC charging and 30-kW DC charging; the Mazda has none of these.