Verdict
These are close in footprint but not in character. The CX-5 is 290 mm longer, 139 mm taller and rides on a 30 mm longer wheelbase, while its 185 hp, 257 Nm 2.5-litre petrol engine is paired with a 56-litre tank and a 7.6 L/100 km rating. The smart #3 counters with a rear-mounted 268 hp, 343 Nm motor, a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 5.8 seconds and 325 km of EV range from its 49 kWh battery. Choose around charging access: the smart accepts 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging, but the Mazda has the roomier proportions and more accommodating climate controls.
The #3 Brabus (RM255,000) sits above every CX-5 variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if you want the larger 4,690 mm body, dual-zone air-con, ventilated front seats and a 5-year/100,000 km vehicle warranty.
Pick the smart #3 if you can charge regularly and want 268 hp, 343 Nm, a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time, 325 km EV range and V2L.
Key differences
- Power and torque: Mazda CX-5 has 185 hp and 257 Nm; smart #3 has 268 hp and 343 Nm.
- Length and height: Mazda CX-5 is 4,690 mm long and 1,695 mm tall; smart #3 is 4,400 mm long and 1,556 mm tall.
- Wheelbase: Mazda CX-5 measures 2,815 mm; smart #3 measures 2,785 mm.
- Energy use: Mazda CX-5 has a 56-litre petrol tank and a 7.6 L/100 km rating; smart #3 has a 49 kWh battery and 325 km range.
- Annual road tax: Mazda CX-5 costs RM830; smart #3 costs RM260.
- Vehicle warranty: Mazda CX-5 gets 5 years/100,000 km; smart #3 gets 4 years/unlimited mileage, plus an 8-year/200,000 km battery warranty.
CX-5
- Larger 4,690 mm body and 2,815 mm wheelbase.
- Ventilated front seats, head-up display and 12-speaker Bose audio.
- Dual-zone climate control and 40:20:40 reclining rear seats.
- RM830 annual road tax versus the smart #3's RM260.
- 185 hp and 257 Nm trail the smart #3's 268 hp and 343 Nm.
- No panoramic glass roof.
#3
- 268 hp, 343 Nm and a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 325 km range, 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging.
- Panoramic glass roof, navigation and auto parking.
- Shorter 4,400 mm body and 2,785 mm wheelbase than the CX-5.
- Single-zone climate control versus the CX-5's dual-zone system.
- 4-year vehicle warranty versus the CX-5's 5 years.
What the CX-5 has over the #3
What the #3 has over the CX-5
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM168,510✓ | RM175,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM260✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,720/mo✓ | RM1,785/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM4,728✓ | RM4,798 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM3,025 | RM1,340✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM15.12 | RM6.70✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM42,915 | RM31,988✓ |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | — | 2.2 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | — | 25 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | SKYACTIV-G 2.5L DOHC 16-Valve with VVT and i-Stop, Direct Injection | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | — |
| Torque | 257 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 89.0 mm × 100.0 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13.0:1 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 268 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 343 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 49 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 325 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed EAT (SKYACTIV-Drive) | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5.8 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 187 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,690 mm | 4,400 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,844 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,556 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 2,785 mm |
| Weight | 1,654 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | — | 370 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R19 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R19 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver (T155/80 R17) | — |
| Factory Tyres | — | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 18 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | 14 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloys (Black Metallic) | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloys (Black Metallic) | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Electronic Power Assisted (EPAS) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver Knee) | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 3-point All Seats, Front with Pretensioners and Load Limiters | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | 2nd Row with Top Tethers | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Smart Brake Support (Front, Rear, Turn-Across Traffic, Intersection, Front/Rear Crossing) | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA), Vehicle Exit Warning, Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Driver Monitoring (DM), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Hill Launch Assist, Auto Hold, Walk-Away Lock | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED (ALH) with Signature Illumination, Auto Levelling | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling |
| Taillamps | LED Combination with Signature Illumination | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way Power Driver Seat with Memory, 6-way Power Passenger Seat, Ventilated Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Manual Reclining | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | None | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front 12V, USB-C Front and Rear, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | LED Map, Overhead and Luggage Lights, Front Footlamps, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Sunshade for Glass Roof |
| Audio | 12.9" Touchscreen with Voice Recognition, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-Speaker BOSE Sound System | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | All Windows, One-touch Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation, Walk Away Lock, Auto Door Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with Stop & Go, Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS) | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Power Tailgate | Yes, Powered |
| Parking Sensor Front | Yes | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, With 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | Conventional | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Head-up Display, 360-degree View Monitor with See-Through View, Wireless Phone Charger, Power Tailgate, 10-way Power Driver Seat with Memory, 6-way Power Passenger Seat, Ventilated Front Seats, Dual-zone Auto Air Conditioning with Rear Vents, Frameless Auto-dimming Rear View Mirror, G-Vectoring Control Plus | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | Complimentary scheduled maintenance including parts, lubricants and labour | 8-year/200,000 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used CX-5 & #3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
Mazda CX-5
CX-5 vs #3 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-5 or smart #3 better?
The smart #3 is the stronger choice for regular EV charging, with 268 hp, 343 Nm and 325 km range. The Mazda CX-5 suits buyers wanting a larger body, ventilated seats, dual-zone air-con and a longer 5-year vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
The smart #3 costs RM6,490 more than the Mazda CX-5: RM175,000 versus RM168,510.
How quickly can the smart #3 charge?
The smart #3 supports AC charging at up to 22 kW and DC charging at up to 150 kW. Its 49 kWh battery is rated for 325 km of EV range, and it also supplies up to 3.3 kW through V2L.
How long does charging take?
The #3's 49.0 kWh battery takes about 2.2 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 150 kW peak.
