Verdict
At RM107,920, the Mazda CX-3 costs RM12,920 more than the RM95,000 Seres 3. The Seres makes the stronger practical case for a Malaysian buyer: its 161 hp, 300 Nm motor, 53.6 kWh battery and 340 km range come with a 525-litre boot, six airbags and a 160,000 km warranty. The CX-3 counters with a lighter 1,301 kg kerb weight, blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display and a driver’s seat memory function, but its 114 hp petrol engine produces just 149 Nm and it has two airbags listed.
The CX-3 2.0 High 2WD (RM131,559) sits above every 3 variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you want blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display and a power driver’s seat with memory in a 1,301 kg petrol SUV.
Pick the Seres 3 if you want a RM95,000 EV with 340 km range, 300 Nm, six airbags and a much larger 525-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-3 RM107,920; Seres 3 RM95,000.
- Output: Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm; Seres 3 161 hp and 300 Nm.
- Energy storage: Mazda CX-3 48-litre petrol tank; Seres 3 53.6 kWh battery with 340 km range.
- Boot space: Mazda CX-3 350 litres; Seres 3 525 litres.
- Safety and warranty: Mazda CX-3 has 2 airbags and a 5-year/100,000 km warranty; Seres 3 has 6 airbags and a 5-year/160,000 km warranty.
- Size and weight: Mazda CX-3 is 4,275 mm long and 1,301 kg; Seres 3 is 4,385 mm long and 1,650 kg.
CX-3
- Blind-spot monitoring and head-up display.
- Power driver’s seat with memory function.
- 349 kg lighter than the Seres 3.
- RM12,920 more expensive.
- Only 2 airbags versus the Seres 3’s 6.
- 350-litre boot is 175 litres smaller.
3
- 161 hp motor produces 300 Nm.
- 525-litre boot and rear air-con vents.
- 53.6 kWh battery, 340 km range and 160,000 km warranty.
- 349 kg heavier than the Mazda CX-3.
- No blind-spot information system.
- No head-up display or driver’s seat memory function.
What the CX-3 has over the 3
What the 3 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.
The 3's wheelbase is 85 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The 3 is 85 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the 3: 525 litres against 350.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM107,920 | RM95,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,100/mo | RM970/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,085 | RM2,718✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | — | RM1,401 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | — | RM7.00 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | — | RM21,193 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | — | 4.9 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | — | 65 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 114 hp at 6,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 149 Nm at 4,000 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 161 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 300 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 53.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 340 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 60 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 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,275 mm | 4,385 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,535 mm | 1,650 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,655 mm |
| Weight | 1,301 kg | 1,650 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 48 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 350 litres | 525 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R16 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R16 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Chao Yang SU318a H/T |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| 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 | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) |
| 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 Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen reflector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Manual air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| 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 | 10.25" Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth 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 |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Manual Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 160,000 km✓ |
| 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used CX-3 & 3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
Mazda CX-3
CX-3 vs 3 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or Seres 3 better?
The Seres 3 is the better practical buy on these specifications, with 161 hp, 300 Nm, six airbags, a 525-litre boot and 340 km EV range. Choose the CX-3 for its blind-spot monitoring, head-up display and lighter 1,301 kg weight.
What is the price difference?
The Seres 3 is RM12,920 cheaper than the Mazda CX-3.
How quickly can the Seres 3 charge?
The Seres 3 supports up to 11 kW AC charging and 60 kW DC charging. The CX-3 is a petrol model with a 48-litre fuel tank, so charging rates do not apply.
How long does charging take?
The 3's 53.6 kWh battery takes about 4.9 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 65 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 60 kW peak.