Verdict
The Proton X50 is the stronger value case for most Malaysian buyers. Its RM18,120 saving brings 178 hp and 290 Nm, six airbags, rear air-con vents and a 14.6-inch touchscreen, while the 2,600 mm wheelbase is 30 mm longer than the Mazda CX-3’s. The CX-3 counters with a slightly larger 350-litre boot, a 48-litre tank and a power driver’s seat with memory. But its 114 hp, 149 Nm output and two-airbag count leave it looking costly beside the Proton.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you value its 350-litre boot, power memory driver’s seat and head-up display more than outright performance and rear-seat amenities.
Pick the Proton X50 if you want substantially more power, six airbags, rear air-con vents and a longer unlimited-mileage warranty for less money.
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.
- Airbags: Mazda CX-3 2; Proton X50 6.
- Dimensions: Mazda CX-3 is 4,275 mm long with a 2,570 mm wheelbase; Proton X50 is 4,380 mm long with a 2,600 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Mazda CX-3 350 litres; Proton X50 330 litres.
- Warranty mileage: Mazda CX-3 100,000 km; Proton X50 unlimited mileage.
CX-3
- 350-litre boot is 20 litres larger
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory
- Head-up display and 48-litre fuel tank
- 114 hp and 149 Nm trail the X50’s 178 hp and 290 Nm
- Only two airbags versus the X50’s six
- Manual air-con with no rear vents
X50
- 178 hp and 290 Nm, with a quoted 0-100 km/h time of 7.6 seconds
- Six airbags, LED headlamps and full LED taillamps
- Rear air-con vents, 14.6-inch touchscreen and unlimited-mileage warranty
- 330-litre boot is 20 litres smaller
- Manual driver’s seat lacks the CX-3’s memory function
- No head-up display and a smaller 45-litre fuel tank
What the CX-3 has over the X50
What the X50 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.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| 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 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,100/mo | RM915/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,085 | RM2,614✓ |
| 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 at 6,000 rpm | 178 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 149 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 290 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 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 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 24 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 18 inch |
| 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 | 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 |
| 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. 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 October 2026.
Used CX-3 & X50 for sale
Our reviews & guides
Mazda CX-3
Proton X50
CX-3 vs X50 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or Proton X50 better?
The Proton X50 is the better buy on these specifications: it costs less, has 178 hp and 290 Nm, six airbags, a longer wheelbase and rear air-con vents. Choose the CX-3 for its larger boot, power memory seat and head-up display.
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 SUV has more boot space?
The Mazda CX-3 has the larger boot at 350 litres, compared with 330 litres in the Proton X50. The Mazda’s advantage is 20 litres.
Which one is locally assembled?
The X50 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.