Verdict
At RM107,920, the Mazda CX-3 undercuts the RM109,980 Mitsubishi Xforce by RM2,060 and brings a stronger 1.5-litre petrol engine, with 114 hp and 149 Nm against 104 hp and 141 Nm. It also gets a six-speed automatic rather than a CVT. But the Xforce is the more practical B-segment SUV: its 2,650 mm wheelbase is 80 mm longer, its boot holds 410 litres versus 350 litres, and rear passengers get air-con vents. Its four airbags, LED projector headlamps and 360-degree camera also make the small premium easy to justify for most Malaysian families.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you want the lower RM107,920 entry price, 10 hp and 8 Nm more, plus a power driver’s seat with memory and wireless smartphone integration.
Pick the Mitsubishi Xforce if you need the 410-litre boot, 80 mm longer wheelbase, rear air-con vents and more parking visibility from its 360-degree camera.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-3 RM107,920; Mitsubishi Xforce RM109,980.
- Output: Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm; Mitsubishi Xforce 104 hp and 141 Nm.
- Transmission: Mazda CX-3 six-speed conventional automatic; Mitsubishi Xforce CVT automatic.
- Wheelbase and boot: Mazda CX-3 2,570 mm and 350 litres; Mitsubishi Xforce 2,650 mm and 410 litres.
- Wheels: Mazda CX-3 16-inch alloys with 215/60R16 tyres; Mitsubishi Xforce 18-inch alloys with 225/50R18 tyres.
- Airbags: Mazda CX-3 two; Mitsubishi Xforce four.
CX-3
- RM2,060 lower purchase price with 114 hp and 149 Nm.
- Six-speed automatic with Sport mode and manual shift control.
- Power driver’s seat with memory, head-up display and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
- 350-litre boot is 60 litres smaller than the Xforce’s.
- Two airbags versus the Xforce’s four.
- No rear air-con vents, front parking sensors or 360-degree camera.
Xforce
- 410-litre boot and a 2,650 mm wheelbase.
- Four airbags, LED projector headlamps with auto high beam and a 360-degree camera.
- Dual-zone climate control, rear air-con vents and 18-inch wheels.
- 104 hp and 141 Nm trail the CX-3 by 10 hp and 8 Nm.
- CVT automatic lacks the CX-3’s six-speed conventional automatic and Sport mode.
- Manual driver’s seat and wired-only Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM107,920✓ | RM109,980 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 114 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 104 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 149 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ | 141 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm | 75 mm × 84.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,275 mm | 4,390 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,810 mm |
| Height | 1,535 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,650 mm |
| Weight | 1,301 kg | 1,250 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 48 litres | 42 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 350 litres | 410 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R16 | 225/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R16 | 225/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Toyo Proxes CR1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| 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 | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) |
| 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 for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen reflector | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers | 8" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| 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 Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree view |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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 CX-3 & Xforce for sale
CX-3 vs Xforce FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or Mitsubishi Xforce better?
The Mitsubishi Xforce is the better family-oriented choice, with a 410-litre boot, 80 mm longer wheelbase, rear air-con vents, four airbags and a 360-degree camera. Choose the Mazda CX-3 for its stronger 114 hp/149 Nm engine and six-speed automatic.
What is the price difference?
The Mitsubishi Xforce costs RM2,060 more than the Mazda CX-3: RM109,980 versus RM107,920. That gap brings a larger 410-litre boot, 18-inch wheels, four airbags, rear air-con vents and a 360-degree camera.
Which SUV has the larger boot?
The Mitsubishi Xforce has the larger boot at 410 litres, 60 litres more than the Mazda CX-3’s 350 litres. The Xforce also has a 2,650 mm wheelbase, compared with 2,570 mm for the CX-3.
