Verdict
These are radically different Mazda propositions. At RM107,920, the CX-3 gives a five-seat, five-door body, 350-litre boot and a conventional six-speed automatic, making it the practical Malaysian daily. The RM294,154 MX-5 costs RM186,234 more, but brings 181 hp and 205 Nm against 114 hp and 149 Nm, rear-wheel drive, a six-speed manual with LSD and a power-folding hard-top. It is also 182 kg lighter at 1,119 kg. Buy the CX-3 for people and luggage; stretch to the MX-5 only for its focused two-seat driving format and roof-down appeal.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you need five seats, five doors, a 350-litre boot and an automatic for everyday use.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a 181 hp rear-wheel-drive manual roadster with a power-folding hard-top.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-3 RM107,920; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154.
- Power and torque: Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm; Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm.
- Driveline and transmission: Mazda CX-3 front-wheel drive six-speed automatic; Mazda MX-5 rear-wheel drive six-speed manual with LSD.
- Seats and boot space: Mazda CX-3 five seats and 350 litres; Mazda MX-5 two seats and 130 litres.
- Weight: Mazda CX-3 1,301 kg; Mazda MX-5 1,119 kg.
- Length: Mazda CX-3 4,275 mm; Mazda MX-5 3,915 mm.
CX-3
- Five seats, five doors and a 350-litre boot.
- Six-speed SkyActiv-Drive automatic with Sport mode.
- Power-adjustable driver's seat with memory and head-up display.
- 114 hp and 149 Nm trail the MX-5's 181 hp and 205 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive automatic layout lacks the MX-5's rear-wheel-drive manual and LSD.
- No autonomous braking system, collision warning or lane-keeping warning.
MX-5
- 181 hp, 205 Nm, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual with LSD.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top.
- Smart City Brake Support front and rear, collision warning and LED projector headlamps.
- Two seats, two doors and a 130-litre boot are far less useful than the CX-3's five-seat, 350-litre layout.
- Manual front-seat adjustment lacks the CX-3's powered driver's seat with memory.
- RM379 annual road tax exceeds the CX-3's RM120.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM107,920✓ | RM294,154 |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | B-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 114 hp | 181 hp✓ |
| Torque | 149 Nm | 205 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode | 6MT-LSD |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | — | 220 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,275 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,535 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | 1,301 kg | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 48 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 350 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R16 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R16 | 205/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 4 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen reflector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Manual air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 1 front |
| Audio | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| 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 CX-3 & MX-5 for sale
CX-3 vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or Mazda MX-5 better?
The CX-3 is better as a daily car because it has five seats, five doors, a 350-litre boot and an automatic. The MX-5 is better for a two-seat driving experience, with 181 hp, rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox and a retractable hard-top.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM186,234 more than the Mazda CX-3: RM294,154 versus RM107,920.
Which has more practical luggage space?
The Mazda CX-3 does, with a 350-litre boot versus 130 litres in the Mazda MX-5. It also has 60:40 split-folding rear seats, while the MX-5 is a two-seater.
