Verdict
At RM119,620, the Mazda 3 Sedan costs RM26,435 less than the RM146,055 Peugeot 408. The Peugeot’s 215 hp and 300 Nm turbo engine, eight-speed automatic and 536-litre boot make a clear case for buyers wanting stronger overtaking performance and more luggage room. The Mazda counters with seven airbags to the Peugeot’s six, plus adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist, lane-keeping steering correction and a head-up display. Its 118 hp, 153 Nm naturally aspirated engine is the trade-off.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if you want to save RM26,435 while gaining an extra airbag, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping steering correction and a head-up display.
Pick the Peugeot 408 if you want 215 hp, 300 Nm, a larger 536-litre boot and seven-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.
- Transmission: Mazda 3 Sedan six-speed automatic; Peugeot 408 eight-speed automatic.
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Sedan 444 litres; Peugeot 408 536 litres.
- Airbags: Mazda 3 Sedan seven; Peugeot 408 six.
- Warranty: Mazda 3 Sedan five years/100,000 km; Peugeot 408 seven years/200,000 km.
3 Sedan
- Seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag.
- Adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist and lane-keeping steering correction.
- Head-up display and eight-speaker audio system.
- 118 hp and 153 Nm are well behind the Peugeot’s 215 hp and 300 Nm.
- 444-litre boot is 92 litres smaller than the Peugeot’s.
- Five-year/100,000 km warranty is shorter than the Peugeot’s seven-year/200,000 km cover.
408
- 215 hp turbo engine with 300 Nm from 2,000 rpm.
- 536-litre boot and rear air-con vents.
- Seven-year/200,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- RM26,435 more expensive than the Mazda 3 Sedan.
- Six airbags versus the Mazda’s seven.
- Passive cruise control and no head-up display, where the Mazda gets adaptive cruise control and a HUD.
| 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 at 6,000 rpm | 215 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 300 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm | 77 mm × 85.8 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 | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 6 (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 Peugeot 408 is the stronger choice for performance, boot capacity and warranty cover. The Mazda 3 Sedan is better for buyers prioritising a lower entry price, seven airbags, adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.
What is the price difference?
The Peugeot 408 costs RM26,435 more: RM146,055 versus RM119,620 for the Mazda 3 Sedan.
Which has the better warranty?
The Peugeot 408 has the longer warranty at seven years or 200,000 km. The Mazda 3 Sedan provides five years or 100,000 km, but includes free service for that period.
