Verdict
At RM119,620, the Mazda 3 Sedan is RM26,435 cheaper than the RM146,055 Peugeot 408, yet brings adaptive cruise with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist, a head-up display and a 5.8 L/100 km rating. The Peugeot answers with 215 hp and 300 Nm against the Mazda’s 118 hp and 153 Nm, an 8.8-second 0-100 km/h claim and a 536-litre boot, 92 litres more. Its 7-year/200,000-km warranty is a substantial ownership advantage over 5 years/100,000 km. The Mazda suits buyers prioritising equipment and fuel use; the Peugeot is the stronger, roomier choice.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if adaptive cruise, a head-up display and its 5.8 L/100 km rated economy matter more than outright performance and boot capacity.
Pick the Peugeot 408 if you want 215 hp, 300 Nm, a 536-litre boot and 7-year/200,000-km warranty cover.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Sedan RM119,620; Peugeot 408 RM146,055.
- Power and torque: Mazda 3 Sedan 118 hp and 153 Nm; Peugeot 408 215 hp and 300 Nm.
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Sedan 444 litres; Peugeot 408 536 litres.
- Wheelbase: Mazda 3 Sedan 2,725 mm; Peugeot 408 2,787 mm.
- Rear suspension: Mazda 3 Sedan torsion beam; Peugeot 408 multi-link.
- Warranty: Mazda 3 Sedan 5 years/100,000 km; Peugeot 408 7 years/200,000 km.
3 Sedan
- Adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist
- Head-up display and 8.8-inch system with eight speakers
- Rated economy of 5.8 L/100 km
- 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the Peugeot’s 215 hp and 300 Nm
- 444-litre boot is 92 litres smaller
- 5-year/100,000-km warranty is shorter
408
- 215 hp, 300 Nm turbo engine and eight-speed automatic
- 536-litre boot, rear air-con vents and 2,787-mm wheelbase
- 7-year/200,000-km manufacturer warranty
- Passive cruise control versus Mazda adaptive cruise with traffic-jam assist
- No head-up display
- No lane-keeping assist steering correction
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM146,055 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp | 215 hp✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm | 300 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 77 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.8 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.8 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,687 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,859 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,787 mm |
| Weight | 1,361 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 444 litres | 536 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Granite Grey Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Granite Grey Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electronic 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 Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Driver Powered Seat, Manual Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| 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 | 10" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 200,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 7 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 Sedan & 408 for sale
3 Sedan vs 408 FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Sedan or Peugeot 408 better?
The Mazda 3 Sedan is better for lower purchase cost, rated fuel economy and driver-assistance equipment. The Peugeot 408 is better for power, cargo space and warranty cover, with 215 hp, a 536-litre boot and seven years/200,000 km.
What is the price difference?
The Peugeot 408 costs RM26,435 more than the Mazda 3 Sedan: RM146,055 versus RM119,620.
Which car has the better warranty?
The Peugeot 408 has the better warranty at seven years or 200,000 km. The Mazda 3 Sedan is covered for five years or 100,000 km, although it includes free service for that period and mileage.