Verdict
At RM119,620, the Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM171,392 less and uses 5.9 L/100 km against the Volkswagen Arteon’s 7.4 L/100 km, while annual road tax is RM90 versus RM372. That is serious running-cost relief for a Malaysian buyer. The Arteon answers with a 276 hp/350 Nm turbo engine, all-wheel drive and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time; the Mazda has 118 hp and 153 Nm. It is also a much roomier five-door, with a 563-litre boot against 295 litres, but its 4,862 mm length will demand more care in tight parking bays.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if RM171,392 saved, 5.9 L/100 km consumption and a more compact 4,460 mm body matter more than outright pace and boot space.
Pick the Volkswagen Arteon if you want 276 hp, 350 Nm, all-wheel drive, a 563-litre boot and rear air-con, and can accommodate its RM291,012 price.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Volkswagen Arteon RM291,012.
- Power and torque: Mazda 3 Hatchback 118 hp and 153 Nm; Volkswagen Arteon 276 hp and 350 Nm.
- Fuel consumption: Mazda 3 Hatchback 5.9 L/100 km; Volkswagen Arteon 7.4 L/100 km.
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Hatchback 295 litres; Volkswagen Arteon 563 litres.
- Length and wheelbase: Mazda 3 Hatchback 4,460 mm and 2,725 mm; Volkswagen Arteon 4,862 mm and 2,837 mm.
- Road tax: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM90 per year; Volkswagen Arteon RM372 per year.
3 Hatchback
- RM171,392 cheaper to buy.
- Lower rated fuel use at 5.9 L/100 km.
- Head-up display and adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist.
- 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the Arteon’s 276 hp and 350 Nm.
- 295-litre boot is 268 litres smaller.
- No rear air-con.
Arteon
- 276 hp, 350 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 563-litre boot and 66-litre fuel tank.
- Rear air-con, 360-degree camera and 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- Costs RM171,392 more to buy.
- Rated consumption is 7.4 L/100 km versus 5.9 L/100 km.
- RM372 annual road tax is RM282 higher.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM291,012 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM372 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC with Twin-Scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm | 276 hp at 5,100 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 350 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm | 82.5 mm × 92.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 9.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 7-speed DSG |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Volkswagen AG |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.9 L/100 km✓ | 7.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 164 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 4,862 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,871 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,837 mm |
| Weight | 1,368 kg | 1,600 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 295 litres | 563 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 245/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-Size 19" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Montevideo Two-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Montevideo Two-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | Adaptive Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 Airbags, Stability Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors with Cornering Lights and Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | 14-Way Power-adjustable with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB-C, 1 Front Qi Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (3 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | Discover Pro 9.2" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free service | 3-year/45,000 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 & Arteon for sale
3 Hatchback vs Arteon FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Volkswagen Arteon better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is the more rational choice for price, fuel use and a smaller footprint. Choose the Volkswagen Arteon for its 276 hp, all-wheel drive, larger cabin dimensions and 563-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Arteon costs RM291,012 and the Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM119,620, so the Arteon is RM171,392 more expensive.
Which has the larger boot?
The Volkswagen Arteon has the larger boot at 563 litres, compared with 295 litres in the Mazda 3 Hatchback. That is a 268-litre advantage for the Arteon.
