Verdict
The Aion Y Plus costs RM119,800, RM11,880 more than the RM107,920 Mazda CX-3, but brings a 201 hp, 225 Nm motor, 63.2 kWh battery and claimed 430 km range. The Mazda’s 1.5-litre petrol engine makes 114 hp and 149 Nm. Aion is also 260 mm longer, with a 180 mm longer wheelbase and a 405-litre boot against 350 litres. For a buyer with dependable charging, the Aion’s extra space, EV range, six airbags and 360-degree camera justify serious consideration; the Mazda counters with blind spot monitoring and a head-up display.
Pick the Aion Y Plus if you can charge regularly and want 430 km of claimed EV range, a 405-litre boot and six airbags.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if lower upfront cost, a petrol 48-litre tank, blind spot monitoring and a head-up display matter more than EV range and cabin space.
Key differences
- Price: Aion Y Plus RM119,800; Mazda CX-3 RM107,920.
- Power and torque: Aion Y Plus 201 hp and 225 Nm; Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm.
- Driving energy: Aion Y Plus has a 63.2 kWh battery and 430 km claimed range; Mazda CX-3 has a 48-litre petrol tank.
- Size: Aion Y Plus is 4,535 mm long with a 2,750 mm wheelbase; Mazda CX-3 is 4,275 mm long with a 2,570 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Aion Y Plus 405 litres; Mazda CX-3 350 litres.
- Airbags: Aion Y Plus has six; Mazda CX-3 has two.
Y Plus
- 201 hp, 225 Nm motor and 430 km claimed EV range.
- 405-litre boot and 2,750 mm wheelbase.
- Six airbags, 360-degree camera and LED projector headlamps.
- Costs RM11,880 more and has RM160 annual road tax versus RM120.
- No blind spot information system or head-up display.
CX-3
- Lower RM107,920 purchase price and RM120 annual road tax.
- Blind spot information system and head-up display.
- Powered driver’s seat with memory, plus wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
- 114 hp and 149 Nm trail the Aion Y Plus’ 201 hp and 225 Nm.
- 350-litre boot is 55 litres smaller than the Aion Y Plus’.
- Two airbags versus six in the Aion Y Plus, and it lacks a 360-degree camera.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,800 | RM107,920✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 114 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 149 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 225 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 63.2 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 430 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 80 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,535 mm | 4,275 mm |
| Width | 1,870 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Height | 1,650 mm | 1,535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,301 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 48 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 405 litres✓ | 350 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 215/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 215/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Chao Yang SU318a H/T | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 16" 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 | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 2 (Driver and Passenger) |
| 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 on outer two rear seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver Seat, Manual Passenger Seat | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Manual air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 front, 2 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Six-Speaker Bongiovi Sound System | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Year, 200,000 km Warranty (Battery) | 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 Y Plus & CX-3 for sale
Y Plus vs CX-3 FAQ
Is the Aion Y Plus or Mazda CX-3 better?
The Aion Y Plus is the stronger choice for regular home or workplace charging, with 430 km claimed range, more power, a larger boot and six airbags. Choose the Mazda CX-3 for its lower price, petrol convenience, blind spot monitoring and head-up display.
What is the price difference?
The Aion Y Plus costs RM11,880 more than the Mazda CX-3. Its annual road tax is also RM40 higher, at RM160 versus RM120.
Which has more family space?
The Aion Y Plus has more space on paper: it is 260 mm longer, its wheelbase is 180 mm longer, and its boot holds 405 litres versus the Mazda CX-3’s 350 litres.
