Verdict
At RM89,800, the Proton X50 costs RM18,120 less yet brings 178 hp and 290 Nm, against the Mazda CX-3’s 114 hp and 149 Nm. That is the decisive everyday advantage, backed by six airbags, rear air vents and a 14.6-inch screen. The Mazda answers with a 350-litre boot versus 330 litres, a power driver’s seat with memory, head-up display and 48-litre tank. Its five-year warranty is capped at 100,000 km; Proton’s five-year cover has unlimited mileage. The CX-3 is the equipment-specific choice, but the X50 gives more for less.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you value its 350-litre boot, power driver’s seat with memory and head-up display more than outright power and six airbags.
Pick the Proton X50 if you want 178 hp, 290 Nm, six airbags and rear air vents while spending RM18,120 less.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-3 RM107,920; Proton X50 RM89,800.
- Engine output: Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm; Proton X50 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- Dimensions: Mazda CX-3 4,275 mm long and 2,570 mm wheelbase; Proton X50 4,380 mm and 2,600 mm.
- Boot space: Mazda CX-3 350 litres; Proton X50 330 litres.
- Airbags: Mazda CX-3 two; Proton X50 six.
- Warranty mileage: Mazda CX-3 100,000 km over five years; Proton X50 unlimited mileage over five years.
CX-3
- 350-litre boot is 20 litres larger.
- Power driver’s seat with memory function.
- Head-up display and 48-litre fuel tank.
- 114 hp and 149 Nm trail the X50’s 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- Two airbags versus the X50’s six.
- No rear air vents.
X50
- 178 hp and 290 Nm turbocharged petrol engine.
- Six airbags, LED headlamps and full LED taillamps.
- 14.6-inch touchscreen, rear air vents and rear USB ports.
- 330-litre boot is 20 litres smaller than the CX-3’s.
- 45-litre fuel tank is 3 litres smaller.
- Manual driver’s seat and no head-up display.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM107,920 | RM89,800✓ |
| 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 | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 114 hp at 6,000 rpm | 178 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 149 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 290 Nm at 2,000 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 | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode | 7DCT |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Geely |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.6 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,275 mm | 4,380 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,535 mm | 1,609 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | 1,301 kg | 1,351 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 48 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 350 litres✓ | 330 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R16 | 215/60R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R16 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | GitiComfort F50 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 17" 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 | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 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 |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen reflector | LED Reflector |
| 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| 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 |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers | 14.6" Touchscreen with Wireless 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, 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | 6 Times 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 CX-3 & X50 for sale
CX-3 vs X50 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or Proton X50 better?
The Proton X50 is the stronger buy on these specifications: it costs RM18,120 less, produces 178 hp and 290 Nm, and has six airbags. Choose the Mazda CX-3 for its larger boot, power memory driver’s seat and head-up display.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-3 costs RM18,120 more than the Proton X50.
Which has the better safety equipment?
The Proton X50 has the stronger passive-safety count with six airbags to the Mazda CX-3’s two. Both have ABS with EBD, stability control, blind spot information and ISOFIX on the two outer rear seats.
