Verdict
At RM134,469, the Mazda CX-5 costs RM40,531 less and brings a 442-litre boot, 56-litre tank and five-year/100,000 km warranty; it is the more sensible long-distance family proposition. The smart #3 counters with 268 hp and 343 Nm from its rear motor, hitting 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds against 10.4, plus a 49-kWh battery rated for 325 km. Its 150-kW DC charging, 22-kW AC charging and stronger driver assistance justify the stretch only if charging access and EV use suit your routine.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if you need the larger 442-litre boot, a petrol SUV for longer journeys and a lower upfront cost.
Pick the smart #3 if you can charge regularly and want 5.8-second acceleration, a 325-km EV range and more active safety kit.
Key differences
- Performance: CX-5 162 hp/213 Nm and 10.4 seconds; #3 268 hp/343 Nm and 5.8 seconds.
- Energy storage: CX-5 56-litre petrol tank; #3 49-kWh battery with 325 km range.
- Charging: CX-5 has no charging rates; #3 supports 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging.
- Boot space: CX-5 442 litres; #3 370 litres.
- Length/wheelbase: CX-5 4,550 mm/2,700 mm; #3 4,400 mm/2,785 mm.
- Driver assistance: CX-5 has passive cruise control and no lane-keeping assist; #3 has adaptive cruise control and steering correction.
CX-5
- 442-litre boot and 40:20:40 rear-seat split.
- Dual-zone climate control instead of single-zone air-con.
- Five-year manufacturer warranty term.
- 162 hp and 213 Nm leave it 4.6 seconds slower to 100 km/h.
- No blind spot monitoring, autonomous braking or collision warning.
- Manual front seats and no front parking sensors.
#3
- 268 hp, 343 Nm and a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 49-kWh battery, 325-km range, 22-kW AC and 150-kW DC charging.
- Adaptive cruise control, front and rear autonomous braking, plus a 360-degree camera and auto parking.
- RM40,531 higher purchase price.
- 370-litre boot is 72 litres smaller.
- Single-zone climate control versus the CX-5's dual-zone system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM134,469✓ | RM175,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM260✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 162 hp | — |
| Torque | 213 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 268 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 343 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 49 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 325 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift and Sport mode | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.4 seconds | 5.8 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 176 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,550 mm | 4,400 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,844 mm |
| Height | 1,675 mm | 1,556 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,785 mm |
| Weight | 1,588 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 442 litres✓ | 370 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/65R17 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/65R17 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental CrossContact LX Sport | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| 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 Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Sunshade for Glass Roof |
| Audio | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Yes, Powered |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty |
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-5 & #3 for sale
CX-5 vs #3 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-5 or smart #3 better?
The CX-5 is better for buyers prioritising luggage space, petrol refuelling and lower purchase cost. The smart #3 is better if home or workplace charging is available and rapid acceleration, EV driving and active safety matter more.
What is the price difference?
The smart #3 costs RM40,531 more than the Mazda CX-5.
Which has more practical luggage space?
The Mazda CX-5 has the more useful boot at 442 litres, versus 370 litres in the smart #3. It also has a 40:20:40 split-folding rear bench, while the smart uses a 60:40 split.