Verdict
The RM59,820 gap is decisive: the Proton S70 costs RM59,800 against RM119,620 for the Mazda 3 Sedan, yet both use 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinders rated at 118 hp and front-wheel drive. The Mazda answers with 153 Nm, a six-speed conventional automatic, seven airbags, front-and-rear autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. It is also 98 mm longer in wheelbase. But the S70 carries 500 litres in its boot versus 444 litres, has rear air-con vents and an unlimited-mileage five-year warranty. For a budget-led Malaysian purchase, the Proton leaves far more money in hand.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if you will pay RM119,620 for seven airbags, front-and-rear autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and 18-inch wheels.
Pick the Proton S70 if RM59,800, a 500-litre boot, rear air-con vents and unlimited-mileage five-year warranty matter more than advanced driver assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Sedan RM119,620; Proton S70 RM59,800.
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Sedan 444 litres; Proton S70 500 litres.
- Airbags: Mazda 3 Sedan 7; Proton S70 6.
- Wheelbase: Mazda 3 Sedan 2,725 mm; Proton S70 2,627 mm.
- Wheels: Mazda 3 Sedan 18-inch alloys with 215/45R18 tyres; Proton S70 16-inch alloys with 205/55R16 tyres.
- Warranty mileage: Mazda 3 Sedan 100,000 km over five years; Proton S70 unlimited mileage over five years.
3 Sedan
- Seven airbags and front-and-rear autonomous braking.
- Adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist.
- 18-inch alloys, LED projector headlamps and an 8-speaker audio system.
- Costs RM59,820 more.
- 444-litre boot is 56 litres smaller.
- Five-year warranty is capped at 100,000 km, unlike the S70's unlimited mileage.
S70
- RM59,800 price is far lower.
- 500-litre boot and rear air-con vents.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- Six airbags versus the Mazda's seven.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control.
- Halogen headlamps and 16-inch wheels versus LED projectors and 18-inch wheels.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620 | RM59,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC DVVT (i-GT), Port Fuel Injection |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm | 118 hp at 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ | 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 8-speed CVT with Manual Mode |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.8 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,602 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,809 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,466 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,627 mm |
| Weight | 1,361 kg | 1,269 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 444 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 205/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 205/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | — |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Turbine-style Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Turbine-style Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | 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 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | — |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | ISOFIX with Top Tether |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Rear Seat Reminder, All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Warning, Door Opening Warning; no AEB/ACC/lane-keep (camera ADAS reserved for 1.5TD Flagship variants) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Fabric |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air Conditioning |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | — |
| Interior Lighting | 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 | 8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up/Down with Anti-trap |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start with Remote Engine Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist | Cruise Control with Speed Limiter |
| 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 | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| 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 | 6x free labour servicing |
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 & S70 for sale
3 Sedan vs S70 FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Sedan or Proton S70 better?
The Mazda 3 Sedan is better equipped for active safety, with front-and-rear autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control. The Proton S70 is the stronger value choice at RM59,800, saving RM59,820 while matching the Mazda's 118 hp output.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda 3 Sedan costs RM119,620 and the Proton S70 costs RM59,800, so the Mazda costs RM59,820 more.
Which sedan has the bigger boot?
The Proton S70 has the bigger boot at 500 litres. The Mazda 3 Sedan has 444 litres, a 56-litre deficit.
