Verdict
The Mazda CX-5 costs RM134,469, while the Tesla Model 3 is RM14,531 dearer at RM149,000. That gap brings a 279 hp, 420 Nm rear motor, 534 km claimed range and much stronger 6.2-second sprint, against the Mazda’s 162 hp, 213 Nm petrol engine and 10.4 seconds. The Tesla also has a 594-litre boot, but the CX-5’s SUV body is 234 mm taller, has five doors and includes a space-saver spare. For buyers without convenient charging, the Mazda’s 56-litre petrol tank and longer five-year/100,000 km warranty remain practical advantages.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if you want the lower entry price, a taller five-door SUV body, a space-saver spare tyre and five years/100,000 km of manufacturer warranty.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you can charge an EV and want 279 hp, 420 Nm, a 534 km range claim, 170 kW DC charging and far quicker acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-5 RM134,469; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Performance: Mazda CX-5 162 hp, 213 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 10.4 seconds; Tesla Model 3 279 hp, 420 Nm and 6.2 seconds.
- Energy storage/range: Mazda CX-5 56-litre petrol tank; Tesla Model 3 62.5 kWh battery with 534 km EV range.
- Boot space: Mazda CX-5 442 litres; Tesla Model 3 594 litres.
- Warranty: Mazda CX-5 5 years/100,000 km; Tesla Model 3 4 years/80,000 km, plus 8 years/160,000 km for its battery and drive unit.
- Height and doors: Mazda CX-5 1,675 mm and five doors; Tesla Model 3 1,441 mm and four doors.
CX-5
- RM14,531 lower purchase price.
- Taller 1,675 mm SUV body with five doors and a space-saver spare tyre.
- Longer five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- 162 hp and 213 Nm trail the Tesla’s 279 hp and 420 Nm.
- 10.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 4.2 seconds slower.
- No blind spot information system, autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping assist.
Model 3
- 279 hp, 420 Nm and a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 62.5 kWh battery, 534 km range claim, 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging.
- 594-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and a powered boot.
- Costs RM14,531 more.
- Four-year/80,000 km manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Mazda’s five-year/100,000 km cover.
- Four-door, 1,441 mm-tall sedan body is less tall and less access-friendly than the CX-5’s five-door SUV layout.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM134,469✓ | RM149,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM280✓ |
| 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 | — | 279 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 420 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 62.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 534 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 170 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift and Sport mode | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Tesla |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.4 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 176 km/h | 201 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,550 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,675 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,588 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 442 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/65R17 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/65R17 | 255/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental CrossContact LX Sport | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| 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 and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | 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 |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 Speakers |
| 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 to Start) |
| 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 | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance) |
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 & Model 3 for sale
CX-5 vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-5 or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is better for acceleration, EV range, charging capability and boot space. The Mazda CX-5 is the better fit if you need a taller five-door SUV, a spare tyre and longer manufacturer warranty coverage.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM14,531 more than the Mazda CX-5: RM149,000 versus RM134,469.
Which is faster, the Mazda CX-5 or Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 is much faster, reaching 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds versus 10.4 seconds for the Mazda CX-5. Its 279 hp and 420 Nm also exceed the Mazda’s 162 hp and 213 Nm.