Verdict
At RM107,920, the Mazda CX-3 costs RM9,608 less than the RM117,528 MG S5, but the gap buys far more than trim. The MG is a 202-hp, 350-Nm rear-drive EV with a 62-kWh battery, 446-km range and 150-kW DC charging; the Mazda is a 114-hp, 149-Nm 1.5-litre petrol front-driver. Its 453-litre boot, 2,730-mm wheelbase, autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction make the S5 the more useful choice. The smaller CX-3 counters with lower annual road tax, a head-up display and a driver’s seat memory function.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you want the RM9,608 lower purchase price, RM120 annual road tax and a compact 4,275-mm body with a head-up display.
Pick the MG S5 if you want 202 hp and 350 Nm, a 446-km EV range, more rear-seat space from its 2,730-mm wheelbase and modern driver assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-3 RM107,920; MG S5 RM117,528.
- Power and torque: Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm; MG S5 202 hp and 350 Nm.
- Wheelbase and boot space: Mazda CX-3 2,570 mm and 350 litres; MG S5 2,730 mm and 453 litres.
- Dimensions: Mazda CX-3 4,275 mm long, 1,765 mm wide and 1,535 mm tall; MG S5 4,476 mm, 1,849 mm and 1,621 mm.
- Manufacturer warranty: Mazda CX-3 5 years/100,000 km; MG S5 7 years/150,000 km.
CX-3
- RM9,608 lower purchase price and RM60 lower annual road tax
- Head-up display and powered driver’s seat with memory
- Smaller 4,275-mm length and 1,765-mm width
- 114 hp and 149 Nm versus the MG’s 202 hp and 350 Nm
- 350-litre boot and 2,570-mm wheelbase trail the MG’s 453 litres and 2,730 mm
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist, where the MG gets both
S5
- 202-hp, 350-Nm rear motor with 446-km EV range
- 453-litre boot, 2,730-mm wheelbase and multi-link rear suspension
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and 360-degree camera
- Costs RM9,608 more and annual road tax is RM180 versus RM120
- No head-up display, which the Mazda has
- Tyre repair kit instead of the Mazda’s space-saver spare
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM107,920✓ | RM117,528 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM180 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | — |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 114 hp | — |
| Torque | 149 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 202 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 350 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 62 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 446 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| V2L | — | 2.5 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.0 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,275 mm | 4,476 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,849 mm |
| Height | 1,535 mm | 1,621 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,730 mm |
| Weight | 1,301 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 48 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 350 litres | 453 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R16 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R16 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Bridgestone Turanza T005 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| 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 Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee Airbag |
| 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 Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen reflector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 1 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 150,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 7 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | 8 Years/Unlimited Mileage Warranty on Powertrain, 8-year/150,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & S5 for sale
CX-3 vs S5 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or MG S5 better?
The MG S5 is the better-equipped and more spacious choice, with 202 hp, 350 Nm, a 453-litre boot, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist. Choose the Mazda CX-3 if lower purchase cost, RM120 road tax and a smaller footprint matter more.
What is the price difference?
The MG S5 costs RM9,608 more than the Mazda CX-3. Its RM117,528 price compares with RM107,920 for the Mazda.
Which has the better warranty and EV charging capability?
The MG S5 has the longer 7-year/150,000-km manufacturer warranty against the Mazda’s 5-year/100,000-km cover. It also has a 62-kWh battery, 7-kW AC charging, 150-kW DC charging and 2.5-kW V2L; the petrol Mazda has none of these EV functions.
