Verdict
The RM5,844-cheaper Maxus V80 is the work-led choice: its 2.5-litre turbodiesel produces 136 hp and 330 Nm from 1,800 rpm, against the Mazda CX-3’s 114 hp and 149 Nm at 4,000 rpm. But it is a 5,700-mm commercial vehicle with only two seats, a five-speed manual and RM839 annual road tax. The CX-3 costs more, yet brings five seats, a six-speed automatic, stability control, reverse camera and a five-year/100,000-km warranty with free service. For private Malaysian use, the Mazda is far easier to live with.
Pick the Maxus V80 if you need a two-seat commercial vehicle, 330 Nm of diesel torque and an 80-litre tank for less money.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you want a five-seat SUV with a six-speed automatic, lower RM120 road tax and substantially broader safety and convenience equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Maxus V80 RM102,076; Mazda CX-3 RM107,920.
- Power and torque: Maxus V80 136 hp/330 Nm; Mazda CX-3 114 hp/149 Nm.
- Seating: Maxus V80 2 seats; Mazda CX-3 5 seats.
- Transmission: Maxus V80 five-speed manual; Mazda CX-3 six-speed conventional automatic.
- Annual road tax: Maxus V80 RM839; Mazda CX-3 RM120.
- Length: Maxus V80 5,700 mm; Mazda CX-3 4,275 mm.
V80
- RM5,844 lower purchase price.
- 136 hp and 330 Nm 2.5-litre turbodiesel.
- Rear air-con vents with blower control and a full-size spare wheel.
- Only two seats, versus five in the CX-3.
- Five-speed manual instead of a six-speed automatic.
- Three-year/100,000-km warranty versus five years/100,000 km.
CX-3
- Five seats, 60:40 split-folding rear seats and 350 litres of boot space.
- Six-speed automatic with Sport mode, plus keyless entry and push-button start.
- Stability control, blind-spot monitoring, reverse camera and head-up display.
- Costs RM5,844 more.
- Its 114 hp and 149 Nm trail the V80’s 136 hp and 330 Nm.
- No rear air-con vents, where the V80 has rear vents with blower control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM102,076✓ | RM107,920 |
| Body type | Commercial | SUV |
| Segment | Commercial | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM839 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve, common-rail direct fuel injection, turbodiesel | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,499 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 136 hp at 3,800 rpm✓ | 114 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 330 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ | 149 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 92 mm × 94 mm | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 17.5 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 5 Speed Manual | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode |
| Gears | 5 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 9.1 L/100 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,700 mm | 4,275 mm |
| Width | 2,383 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Height | 2,552 mm | 1,535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,850 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 3,500 kg | 1,301 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 80 litres | 48 litres |
| Doors | 6 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | — | 350 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/75R16 | 215/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/75R16 | 215/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 16" Steel | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Spring | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Steel | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Steel | 16" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic 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 Passenger) | 2 (Driver and Passenger) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | Halogen reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Normal Bulb |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower Control | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 front, 2 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 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 | Two Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 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 V80 & CX-3 for sale
V80 vs CX-3 FAQ
Is the Maxus V80 or Mazda CX-3 better?
The Mazda CX-3 is better for most private buyers because it has five seats, an automatic gearbox, lower road tax and more safety equipment. The Maxus V80 suits commercial use, with two seats and much stronger 330 Nm diesel torque.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-3 costs RM5,844 more than the Maxus V80.
Which one has the lower running tax and longer warranty?
The Mazda CX-3 has RM120 annual road tax against the V80’s RM839, and its warranty lasts five years/100,000 km with free service. The V80’s warranty is three years/100,000 km.
