Verdict
The Proton X50 is the stronger buy for most Malaysian buyers: at RM89,800, it undercuts the RM107,920 Mazda CX-3 by RM18,120 while producing 178 hp and 290 Nm against 114 hp and 149 Nm. Its 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time gives the numbers real meaning. The X50 is also 105 mm longer, has rear air vents and an unlimited-mileage five-year warranty. The CX-3 fights back with a 350-litre boot, 20 litres more cargo room, plus a powered memory driver’s seat and head-up display. Choose it for those priorities, not straight-line performance or cabin tech.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you value its 350-litre boot, powered memory driver’s seat and head-up display more than outright performance.
Pick the Proton X50 if you want RM18,120 back in your pocket, 178 hp, 290 Nm, rear air vents and a larger cabin footprint.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-3 RM107,920; Proton X50 RM89,800.
- Power and torque: Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm; Proton X50 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- Length and wheelbase: Mazda CX-3 4,275 mm and 2,570 mm; Proton X50 4,380 mm and 2,600 mm.
- Boot space: Mazda CX-3 350 litres; Proton X50 330 litres.
- Wheels: Mazda CX-3 16-inch alloys; Proton X50 17-inch alloys.
- Warranty mileage: Mazda CX-3 100,000 km; Proton X50 unlimited mileage.
CX-3
- 350-litre boot is 20 litres larger.
- Powered driver’s seat with memory and a head-up display.
- 48-litre fuel tank, versus 45 litres.
- RM18,120 dearer despite 114 hp and 149 Nm, against 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- No rear air vents; the X50 has them.
- Five-year warranty is capped at 100,000 km; the X50’s is unlimited-mileage.
X50
- 178 hp and 290 Nm from its 1.5-litre turbo engine.
- Rear air vents, 14.6-inch touchscreen and navigation.
- Unlimited-mileage five-year warranty.
- 330-litre boot is 20 litres smaller than the CX-3’s.
- Manual driver’s seat, where the CX-3 gets power adjustment and memory.
- No head-up display.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM107,920 | RM89,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 114 hp | 178 hp✓ |
| Torque | 149 Nm | 290 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode | 7DCT |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Geely |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.6 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,275 mm | 4,380 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,535 mm | 1,609 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | 1,301 kg | 1,351 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 48 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 350 litres✓ | 330 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R16 | 215/60R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R16 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | GitiComfort F50 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" 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 |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen reflector | LED Reflector |
| 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-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| 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 |
| Audio | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers | 14.6" 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, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 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 | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | 6 Times Free Labour Servicing |
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 & X50 for sale
CX-3 vs X50 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or Proton X50 better?
The Proton X50 is better for performance, price, rear-seat ventilation and warranty mileage. The Mazda CX-3 is the better fit if its larger 350-litre boot, powered memory driver’s seat and head-up display matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-3 costs RM107,920 and the Proton X50 costs RM89,800, so the CX-3 is RM18,120 more expensive.
Which is quicker, the Mazda CX-3 or Proton X50?
The Proton X50 is the clear performance choice, with 178 hp, 290 Nm and a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 7.6 seconds. The Mazda CX-3 has 114 hp and 149 Nm, and no 0-100 km/h figure is stated.