Verdict
At RM119,620, the Mazda 3 Hatchback is RM3,380 cheaper than the RM123,000 Toyota Hiace, yet it is the easier private-car choice: five seats, a 6-speed automatic, 118 hp and 7 airbags. Its RM90 annual road tax also undercuts the Hiace’s RM835 by RM745. The Hiace answers a different brief, with 260 Nm from 1,600 rpm, all-wheel drive and a 70-litre diesel tank, but it has only two seats, a 5-speed manual and two airbags. For Malaysian daily driving, the Mazda is the clear fit.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you need a five-seat passenger car with an automatic, 7 airbags and far lower RM90 annual road tax.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if your priority is 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm, all-wheel drive and a 70-litre diesel tank, and two seats are enough.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Toyota Hiace RM123,000.
- Road tax per year: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM90; Toyota Hiace RM835.
- Seating: Mazda 3 Hatchback 5 seats; Toyota Hiace 2 seats.
- Output: Mazda 3 Hatchback 118 hp and 153 Nm; Toyota Hiace 101 hp and 260 Nm.
- Transmission and driveline: Mazda 3 Hatchback 6-speed automatic, front-wheel drive; Toyota Hiace 5-speed manual, all-wheel drive.
- Safety: Mazda 3 Hatchback 7 airbags with stability control; Toyota Hiace 2 airbags without stability control.
3 Hatchback
- RM3,380 lower purchase price and RM745 lower annual road tax.
- Five seats, 6-speed automatic and 118 hp.
- 7 airbags, stability control, front and rear Smart City Brake Support.
- 153 Nm trails the Hiace’s 260 Nm.
- 51-litre fuel tank is smaller than the Hiace’s 70 litres.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Hiace’s all-wheel drive.
Hiace
- 260 Nm diesel torque arrives at 1,600 rpm.
- All-wheel drive and a 70-litre fuel tank.
- Rear air-con vents with blower and a full-size 15-inch steel spare wheel.
- RM123,000 price is RM3,380 higher, while annual road tax is RM835 versus RM90.
- Only two seats, against the Mazda’s five.
- 5-speed manual, 101 hp, two airbags and no stability control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM123,000 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Commercial |
| Segment | C-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM835 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 101 hp at 3,600 rpm |
| Torque | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm | 92 mm × 93.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 18.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | 6 | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,368 kg | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 295 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 15" Steel |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 4 stars — With 2 airbags and no stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 2 (Driver and Passenger) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | — |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Audio | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist | — |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Convenience Notes | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 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 3 Hatchback & Hiace for sale
3 Hatchback vs Hiace FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Toyota Hiace better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is better for private passenger use, with five seats, an automatic, 7 airbags and stability control. The Toyota Hiace suits a two-seat commercial role better if its 260 Nm diesel torque, all-wheel drive and 70-litre tank matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Hiace costs RM3,380 more than the Mazda 3 Hatchback: RM123,000 versus RM119,620. Its annual road tax is also RM745 higher, at RM835 versus RM90.
Which has lower yearly road tax?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback has much lower annual road tax at RM90. The Toyota Hiace costs RM835 per year, a RM745 difference.
