Verdict
Just RM1,120 separates these two, but they serve very different needs. The Proton X70 is a larger C-segment SUV, 257 mm longer with a 100 mm longer wheelbase, and its 515-litre boot dwarfs the Mazda CX-3’s 350 litres. Its 178 hp/290 Nm turbo engine also has a decisive 64 hp/141 Nm advantage. The CX-3 fights back with a 274 kg lighter kerb weight, blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display and a five-year/100,000 km free-service package. For family duty, the X70 gives far more metal and equipment for essentially the same money.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you want the lighter 1,301 kg SUV with blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display and free servicing for five years/100,000 km.
Pick the Proton X70 if you need C-segment cabin and luggage space, 178 hp and 290 Nm, plus a much fuller convenience and safety kit.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-3 RM107,920; Proton X70 RM106,800.
- Output: Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm; Proton X70 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- Boot space: Mazda CX-3 350 litres; Proton X70 515 litres.
- Dimensions: Mazda CX-3 is 4,275 mm long with a 2,570 mm wheelbase; Proton X70 is 4,532 mm long with a 2,670 mm wheelbase.
- Kerb weight: Mazda CX-3 1,301 kg; Proton X70 1,575 kg.
- Safety equipment: Mazda CX-3 has driver and passenger airbags plus blind-spot monitoring; Proton X70 has six airbags but no blind-spot monitoring.
CX-3
- 274 kg lighter than the X70.
- Blind-spot monitoring and head-up display.
- Five-year/100,000 km free-service package.
- 114 hp and 149 Nm trail the X70’s 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- 350-litre boot is 165 litres smaller than the X70’s.
- No rear air-con vents, front foglamps or 360-degree camera.
X70
- 178 hp and 290 Nm turbo engine.
- 515-litre boot and 2,670 mm wheelbase.
- Six airbags, 360-degree camera, rear air vents and ventilated front seats.
- No blind-spot monitoring or head-up display.
- Five-year warranty has unlimited mileage but no free-service package stated.
- At 1,575 kg, it is 274 kg heavier than the CX-3.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM107,920 | RM106,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-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 | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct 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 | 7-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission with Manual Mode |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Geely |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,275 mm | 4,532 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,831 mm |
| Height | 1,535 mm | 1,694 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,301 kg | 1,575 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 48 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 350 litres | 515 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R16 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R16 | 225/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen reflector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat, Front Seat Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Purifier System & Air Ionizer |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC 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, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers | 12.3" Touchscreen Atlas OS Infotainment System with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, eSIM, Voice Control and 6 Speakers |
| 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 with Remote Start |
| 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 | — | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| 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 | — |
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 & X70 for sale
CX-3 vs X70 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or Proton X70 better?
The Proton X70 is the better family SUV: it has 515 litres of boot space, six airbags and 178 hp/290 Nm. Choose the Mazda CX-3 for its lower 1,301 kg weight, blind-spot monitoring, head-up display and included five-year/100,000 km servicing.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-3 costs RM107,920 and the Proton X70 costs RM106,800, so the Mazda is RM1,120 more expensive.
Which has more boot space, the Mazda CX-3 or Proton X70?
The Proton X70 has 515 litres of boot space, 165 litres more than the Mazda CX-3’s 350 litres. Both have 60:40 split-folding rear seats.