Verdict
The Honda HR-V costs RM7,980 more, but its 119 hp 1.5 litre engine, 2,610 mm wheelbase and Honda Sensing suite make it the more rounded family choice. Autonomous braking, steering-correction lane keeping and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow are meaningful advantages in traffic, while rear air vents and ULTRA rear seats help daily usability. The Mazda CX-3 counters with a 350-litre boot against 335 litres, a larger 48-litre tank and richer cabin kit, but its 2,570 mm wheelbase and 16-inch wheels mark it as the smaller package.
Pick the Honda HR-V if you want Honda Sensing, rear air vents, 18-inch wheels and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you want to spend RM7,980 less for a 350-litre boot, 48-litre tank, power driver’s seat with memory and head-up display.
Key differences
- Price: Honda HR-V RM115,900; Mazda CX-3 RM107,920.
- Power: Honda HR-V 119 hp; Mazda CX-3 114 hp.
- Torque: Honda HR-V 145 Nm; Mazda CX-3 149 Nm.
- Wheelbase: Honda HR-V 2,610 mm; Mazda CX-3 2,570 mm.
- Boot space: Honda HR-V 335 litres; Mazda CX-3 350 litres.
- Fuel tank: Honda HR-V 40 litres; Mazda CX-3 48 litres.
HR-V
- Honda Sensing includes autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction.
- Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow.
- Rear air vents and ULTRA rear seats.
- Smaller 335-litre boot than the CX-3’s 350 litres.
- 40-litre fuel tank is 8 litres smaller.
- No blind-spot information system, head-up display or power driver’s seat memory.
CX-3
- RM7,980 cheaper to buy.
- 350-litre boot and 48-litre fuel tank.
- Power driver’s seat with memory, head-up display and blind-spot information system.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
- Passive cruise control instead of adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow.
- Halogen reflector headlamps instead of LED reflector units.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM115,900 | 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, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp✓ | 114 hp |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 149 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 74.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 12.1 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 186 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,347 mm | 4,275 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Height | 1,591 mm | 1,535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,274 kg | 1,301 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 48 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 335 litres | 350 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/50R18 | 215/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/50R18 | 215/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 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 | Driver and Passenger, Front Side | 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, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | Halogen reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function |
| Rear Seats | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A & USB-C Front | 1 front, 2 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4 Speakers | 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 with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 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 HR-V & CX-3 for sale
HR-V vs CX-3 FAQ
Is the Honda HR-V or Mazda CX-3 better?
The Honda HR-V is better for family use and driver assistance, with Honda Sensing, rear vents, a 2,610 mm wheelbase and ULTRA rear seats. The Mazda CX-3 is the stronger value pick if its 350-litre boot, larger tank and extra cabin equipment matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Honda HR-V costs RM115,900 and the Mazda CX-3 costs RM107,920, so the Honda is RM7,980 more expensive.
Which has more driver assistance features?
The Honda HR-V has the more substantial active-safety package: autonomous braking, collision warning, steering-correction lane keeping and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow. The Mazda CX-3 has blind-spot information, but no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
