Verdict
The GAC GS3 costs RM4,120 less at RM103,800 and brings a far stronger 177 hp/270 Nm 1.5-litre turbo, against the Mazda CX-3’s 114 hp/149 Nm 1.5-litre naturally aspirated unit. Its 7.5-second 0-100 km/h claim, adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction make it the more complete daily driver on paper. The Mazda counters with a 350-litre boot, 5-star ANCAP rating and five-year/100,000 km free service, but its smaller 16-inch wheels and passive cruise control feel dated beside the GAC’s equipment list.
Pick the GAC GS3 if you want 177 hp, 270 Nm, 7.5-second 0-100 km/h performance and a fuller active-safety suite for RM4,120 less.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you prioritise its 350-litre boot, 5-star ANCAP result, driver’s-seat memory and five-year/100,000 km free service.
Key differences
- Price: GAC GS3 RM103,800; Mazda CX-3 RM107,920.
- Output: GAC GS3 177 hp and 270 Nm; Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm.
- Size: GAC GS3 is 4,410 mm long with a 2,650 mm wheelbase; Mazda CX-3 is 4,275 mm long with a 2,570 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: GAC GS3 341 litres; Mazda CX-3 350 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: GAC GS3 18-inch alloys on 225/55R18 tyres; Mazda CX-3 16-inch alloys on 215/60R16 tyres.
- Warranty mileage: GAC GS3 5 years/150,000 km; Mazda CX-3 5 years/100,000 km, with free service.
GS3
- 177 hp and 270 Nm versus 114 hp and 149 Nm.
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction.
- RM4,120 lower price and 150,000 km warranty coverage.
- 341-litre boot is 9 litres smaller than the CX-3’s.
- No driver’s-seat memory, head-up display or folding wing mirrors listed.
- Only two airbags are listed, while no Euro NCAP or ANCAP rating is stated.
CX-3
- 350-litre boot and 5-star ANCAP rating.
- Power driver’s seat with memory and head-up display.
- Five-year/100,000 km free service.
- 114 hp and 149 Nm trail the GS3’s 177 hp and 270 Nm by a wide margin.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist, and only passive cruise control.
- Costs RM4,120 more despite smaller 16-inch wheels and a shorter 100,000 km warranty.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM103,800✓ | RM107,920 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,497 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 114 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 270 Nm at 1,400 rpm✓ | 149 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,275 mm |
| Width | 1,850 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Height | 1,600 mm | 1,535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,370 kg | 1,301 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 48 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 341 litres | 350 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 215/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 215/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UC6 SUV | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone 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 | 2 (Driver and Front Passenger) | 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 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB | 1 front, 2 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 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, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive 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 | 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 | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 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.
Used GS3 & CX-3 for sale
GS3 vs CX-3 FAQ
Is the GAC GS3 or Mazda CX-3 better?
The GAC GS3 is the stronger all-round buy on these specifications: it is RM4,120 cheaper, has 177 hp and 270 Nm, and adds autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. Choose the Mazda CX-3 for its safety rating, larger boot and free service.
What is the price difference?
The GAC GS3 costs RM103,800 and the Mazda CX-3 costs RM107,920, so the Mazda is RM4,120 more expensive.
Which has more boot space?
The Mazda CX-3 has the larger boot at 350 litres, 9 litres ahead of the GAC GS3’s 341 litres. Both have 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
