Verdict
At RM107,920, the Mazda CX-3 is RM1,880 cheaper, but this is a close price gap for two very different SUVs. The Mazda is a 4,275 mm B-segment petrol SUV with a 114 hp/149 Nm 1.5-litre engine, 350-litre boot and a useful power driver’s seat with memory. Spend RM109,800 on the Proton eMas 7 PHEV and you get a much larger 4,740 mm C-segment body, 528 litres of luggage room, six airbags, an 18.4 kWh battery with 83 km EV range, plus adaptive cruise control. For family space and electrified commuting, the Proton is the clearer buy.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you want the smaller 4,275 mm body, a power driver’s seat with memory, blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.
Pick the Proton eMas 7 PHEV if you need a 528-litre boot, six airbags, 83 km of EV range and adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-3 RM107,920; Proton eMas 7 PHEV RM109,800.
- Size: Mazda CX-3 is 4,275 mm long with a 2,570 mm wheelbase; Proton eMas 7 PHEV is 4,740 mm long with a 2,755 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Mazda CX-3 350 litres; Proton eMas 7 PHEV 528 litres.
- Airbags: Mazda CX-3 has 2; Proton eMas 7 PHEV has 6.
- Electrified range: Mazda CX-3 has no EV range; Proton eMas 7 PHEV has an 18.4 kWh battery and 83 km EV range.
- Wheels: Mazda CX-3 uses 16-inch alloys with 215/60R16 tyres; Proton eMas 7 PHEV uses 18-inch alloys with 225/55R18 tyres.
CX-3
- RM1,880 lower purchase price.
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory, head-up display and blind-spot information system.
- Smaller 4,275 mm body and lighter 1,301 kg weight.
- Only 2 airbags versus the Proton’s 6.
- 350-litre boot is 178 litres smaller than the Proton’s 528 litres.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or adaptive cruise control.
eMas 7 PHEV
- 83 km EV range from an 18.4 kWh battery, with 6.6 kW AC and 30 kW DC charging.
- 528-litre boot and 2,755 mm wheelbase.
- Six airbags, autonomous braking, steering-correction lane keeping and adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.
- RM1,880 more expensive.
- No power driver’s seat, head-up display or blind-spot information system.
- At 4,740 mm long and 1,735 kg, it is substantially larger and heavier than the Mazda.
What the CX-3 has over the eMas 7 PHEV
What the eMas 7 PHEV 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 eMas 7 PHEV's wheelbase is 185 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The eMas 7 PHEV is 175 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the eMas 7 PHEV: 528 litres against 350.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM107,920✓ | RM109,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | — |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,100/mo✓ | RM1,120/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,085✓ | RM3,103 |
| 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 at 6,000 rpm✓ | 98 hp |
| Torque | 149 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ | 125 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 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 | — |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 22 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 18 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | 10 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| 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 | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 6 (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 |
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 November 2026.
Used CX-3 & eMas 7 PHEV for sale
Our reviews & guides
Mazda CX-3
CX-3 vs eMas 7 PHEV FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or Proton eMas 7 PHEV better?
The Proton eMas 7 PHEV is better for family use and electrified driving: it has 83 km EV range, six airbags, a 528-litre boot and more advanced driver assistance. The Mazda CX-3 suits buyers who prioritise a smaller body, power seat memory and a head-up display.
What is the price difference?
The Proton eMas 7 PHEV costs RM109,800 and the Mazda CX-3 costs RM107,920, so the Proton costs RM1,880 more.
Which has more luggage space?
The Proton eMas 7 PHEV has the larger boot at 528 litres, against 350 litres in the Mazda CX-3. That is a 178-litre advantage for the Proton.
Which one is locally assembled?
The eMas 7 PHEV 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 eMas 7 PHEV carries a 6-year manufacturer warranty against 5 years for the CX-3. CX-3: 5-year/100,000 km Free Service. eMas 7 PHEV: 8-Year/160,000 km Hybrid and Components Warranty, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty.