Verdict
At RM109,800, the Proton eMas 7 PHEV costs just RM1,880 more than the RM107,920 Mazda CX-3, yet moves from B- to C-segment dimensions: it is 465 mm longer and carries 528 litres versus 350 litres. Its 215 hp motor, 18.4 kWh battery and 83 km EV range also give it a far broader brief for family use. The CX-3 is 434 kg lighter, easier to place in town and has a power driver’s seat with memory, blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display. But the Proton’s autonomous braking, steering lane-keeping, adaptive cruise and rear air-con make the stronger case for most Malaysian households.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you want the smaller 4,275 mm SUV, a 1,301 kg kerb weight, power driver’s seat memory, blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.
Pick the Proton eMas 7 PHEV if you need 528 litres of boot space, 83 km of EV range and a fuller driver-assistance suite for only RM1,880 more.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-3 RM107,920; Proton eMas 7 PHEV RM109,800.
- Size: CX-3 is 4,275 mm long with a 2,570 mm wheelbase; eMas 7 PHEV is 4,740 mm long with a 2,755 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: CX-3 has 350 litres; eMas 7 PHEV has 528 litres.
- Powertrain: CX-3 has a 114 hp/149 Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine; eMas 7 PHEV has a 215 hp/258 Nm motor and 18.4 kWh battery.
- Electric driving and charging: CX-3 has no EV range or charging provision; eMas 7 PHEV has 83 km EV range, 6.6 kW AC and 30 kW DC charging.
- Driver assistance: CX-3 has blind-spot monitoring and passive cruise control; eMas 7 PHEV has autonomous braking, steering lane-keeping and adaptive cruise…
CX-3
- Smaller 4,275 mm body and 1,301 kg kerb weight.
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory, plus head-up display.
- Blind-spot monitoring and a space-saver spare tyre.
- 350-litre boot is 178 litres smaller than the eMas 7 PHEV’s.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
- No rear air-con; the eMas 7 PHEV has rear vents.
eMas 7 PHEV
- 215 hp/258 Nm motor, 18.4 kWh battery and 83 km EV range.
- 528-litre boot, rear air-con and a 15.4-inch touchscreen.
- Autonomous braking, steering lane-keeping and adaptive cruise with Stop & Go.
- RM1,880 dearer than the CX-3.
- At 4,740 mm long and 1,940 mm wide, it needs more parking space than the 4,275 mm by 1,765 mm CX-3.
- Manual driver’s seat and no listed head-up display or blind-spot monitoring.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM107,920✓ | RM109,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | — |
| 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) | 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 | 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 |
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 better family buy: it is larger, has a 528-litre boot, 83 km EV range and more active safety equipment. Choose the Mazda CX-3 for its smaller footprint, driver’s seat memory, head-up display and blind-spot monitoring.
What is the price difference?
The Proton eMas 7 PHEV costs RM109,800, which is RM1,880 more than the Mazda CX-3 at RM107,920.
Which has more boot space and better rear-seat practicality?
The Proton eMas 7 PHEV has the advantage with 528 litres of boot space versus 350 litres in the Mazda CX-3, a 2,755 mm wheelbase versus 2,570 mm, and rear air-con.