Verdict
The Mazda 3 Sedan costs RM119,620, a RM29,020 step up from the Toyota Vios at RM90,600. That buys 118 hp and 153 Nm against 104 hp and 138 Nm, plus a six-speed automatic, adaptive cruise control and seven airbags. It is also 235 mm longer on a 105 mm longer wheelbase, but its 444-litre boot trails the Vios’ 475 litres and rated consumption is 5.8 L/100 km versus 5.2. For Malaysian buyers watching running costs and luggage space, the Vios makes the sharper financial case; the Mazda suits those willing to pay for its stronger drivetrain and equipment.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if you want 118 hp, 153 Nm, adaptive cruise control and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Pick the Toyota Vios if you want to save RM29,020, use 5.2 L/100 km and carry more in its 475-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Sedan RM119,620; Toyota Vios RM90,600.
- Output: Mazda 3 Sedan 118 hp and 153 Nm; Toyota Vios 104 hp and 138 Nm.
- Rated fuel economy: Mazda 3 Sedan 5.8 L/100 km; Toyota Vios 5.2 L/100 km.
- Dimensions: Mazda 3 Sedan 4,660 mm long with a 2,725 mm wheelbase; Toyota Vios 4,425 mm long with a 2,620 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Sedan 444 litres; Toyota Vios 475 litres.
- Warranty mileage: Mazda 3 Sedan five years/100,000 km; Toyota Vios five years/unlimited mileage.
3 Sedan
- 118 hp and 153 Nm, ahead of the Vios’ 104 hp and 138 Nm.
- Adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist, plus paddle shifts.
- Seven airbags, a power driver’s seat and dual-zone automatic climate control.
- RM29,020 more expensive than the Toyota Vios.
- Rated at 5.8 L/100 km versus the Vios’ 5.2 L/100 km.
- 444-litre boot and 100,000-km warranty limit lose to the Vios’ 475 litres and unlimited mileage warranty.
Vios
- RM29,020 cheaper and rated at 5.2 L/100 km.
- 475-litre boot, rear air-con vents and a full-size 16-inch alloy spare wheel.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, plus a 3D panoramic-view reverse camera.
- 104 hp and 138 Nm trail the Mazda 3 Sedan’s 118 hp and 153 Nm.
- No adaptive cruise control, paddle shifts or auto wipers.
- Fixed rear bench where the Mazda has 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620 | RM90,600✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-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, Naturally-aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 104 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ | 138 Nm at 4,200 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm | 72.5 mm × 90.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 11.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | CVT with 7-speed Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Akashi Kikai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.8 L/100 km | 5.2 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,480 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,361 kg | 1,015 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 444 litres | 475 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 195/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 195/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 16" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Toyo Proxes CR1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | Front Departure Alert, Pedal Misoperation Control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Fixed Bench |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Manual |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 1 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 | 9" Touchscreen Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | — |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 3D Panoramic View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials | Qi Wireless Charger, Premium Solar and Security Tint, Front Digital Video Recorder |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 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 & Vios for sale
3 Sedan vs Vios FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Sedan or Toyota Vios better?
The Mazda 3 Sedan is the better-equipped and more powerful choice, with 118 hp, 153 Nm, adaptive cruise control and seven airbags. The Toyota Vios is the better value-led choice, costing less, using less fuel on paper and providing a larger boot.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda 3 Sedan costs RM119,620 and the Toyota Vios costs RM90,600, so the Mazda is RM29,020 dearer.
Which sedan has the bigger boot and better fuel economy?
The Toyota Vios wins both measures: its boot holds 475 litres against the Mazda 3 Sedan’s 444 litres, while its rated fuel economy is 5.2 L/100 km against 5.8 L/100 km.
