Verdict
With just RM60 between the RM107,920 Mazda CX-3 and RM107,980 Renault Captur, the decision is not about purchase price. The Captur’s 120 hp/205 Nm turbo, 377-litre boot and 2,606 mm wheelbase give it a clear numbers-led advantage over the CX-3’s 114 hp/149 Nm, 350 litres and 2,570 mm. It also cuts annual road tax from RM120 to RM85. The Mazda counters with a reverse camera, blind-spot monitoring, head-up display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, plus a power driver’s seat with memory. Choose based on equipment versus space and torque.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if a reverse camera, blind-spot monitoring, head-up display and wireless phone integration matter more than extra torque and boot space.
Pick the Renault Captur if you want 205 Nm of turbo torque, a 377-litre boot, lower RM85 annual road tax and a 150,000-km warranty limit.
Key differences
- Power and torque: Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm; Renault Captur 120 hp and 205 Nm.
- Dimensions: Mazda CX-3 is 4,275 mm long with a 2,570 mm wheelbase; Renault Captur is 4,122 mm long with a 2,606 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Mazda CX-3 350 litres; Renault Captur 377 litres.
- Kerb weight: Mazda CX-3 1,301 kg; Renault Captur 1,180 kg.
- Wheels: Mazda CX-3 16-inch alloys on 215/60R16 tyres; Renault Captur 17-inch alloys on 205/55R17 tyres.
- Warranty mileage: Mazda CX-3 100,000 km; Renault Captur 150,000 km.
CX-3
- Blind-spot monitoring, reverse camera and head-up display.
- 8.0-inch infotainment with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory.
- 149 Nm is 56 Nm down on the Captur’s 205 Nm.
- 350-litre boot is 27 litres smaller than the Captur’s.
- Five-year warranty is limited to 100,000 km, versus 150,000 km.
Captur
- 120 hp and 205 Nm turbo petrol engine.
- 377-litre boot and 2,606 mm wheelbase.
- LED daytime running lights, front foglamps, auto headlamps and auto wipers.
- No reverse camera or blind-spot information system.
- Manual driver’s seat, where the CX-3 gets power adjustment with memory.
- Its 7.0-inch touchscreen lacks the CX-3’s wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM107,920✓ | RM107,980 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM85✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharger with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,197 cc |
| Horsepower | 114 hp | 120 hp✓ |
| Torque | 149 Nm | 205 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode | Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 10.9 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 192 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,275 mm | 4,122 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,778 mm |
| Height | 1,535 mm | 1,567 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,606 mm |
| Weight | 1,301 kg | 1,180 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 48 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 350 litres | 377 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R16 | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R16 | 205/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Continental Eco Contact 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| 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 |
| 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 | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen reflector | Halogen Projector |
| 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual air-con | Single-zone automatic climate control |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Audio | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers | 7" Touchscreen with GPS, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger 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 Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 150,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | 24-Hour Roadside Assistance, Mobility Solutions |
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 & Captur for sale
CX-3 vs Captur FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or Renault Captur better?
The Captur is the stronger practical choice, with 205 Nm, a 377-litre boot, a 2,606 mm wheelbase and a 150,000-km warranty. The CX-3 is better equipped for driving assistance and cabin convenience, adding blind-spot monitoring, a reverse camera and head-up display.
What is the price difference?
The Renault Captur costs RM60 more than the Mazda CX-3: RM107,980 versus RM107,920. Its annual road tax is RM35 lower, at RM85 rather than RM120.
Which has the bigger boot, Mazda CX-3 or Renault Captur?
The Renault Captur has the larger boot at 377 litres, 27 litres more than the Mazda CX-3’s 350 litres. Both have 60:40 split-folding rear seats.