Verdict
The Aion ES costs RM12,820 less, yet brings a 136 hp/225 Nm motor, 55.2 kWh battery and claimed 442 km range. It is also 150 mm longer and has a marginally larger 450-litre boot. The Mazda 3 Sedan counters with a 118 hp/153 Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine rated at 5.8 L/100 km, plus adaptive cruise control, front and rear Smart City Brake Support and a head-up display. Pick the Aion for EV running and warranty cover; take the Mazda for its far fuller stated safety and cabin equipment list.
Pick the Aion ES if you want a 442 km EV range, 3.3 kW V2L capability and eight-year/160,000 km warranty cover for less money.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if you want a petrol sedan with adaptive cruise control, front and rear autonomous braking and a 5.8 L/100 km rated economy figure.
Key differences
- Price: Aion ES RM106,800; Mazda 3 Sedan RM119,620.
- Powertrain: Aion ES has a 136 hp/225 Nm electric motor; Mazda 3 Sedan has a 118 hp/153 Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine.
- Energy use: Aion ES has a 55.2 kWh battery and 442 km EV range; Mazda 3 Sedan is rated at 5.8 L/100 km with a 51-litre tank.
- Dimensions: Aion ES is 4,810 mm long, 1,880 mm wide and 1,545 mm tall; Mazda 3 Sedan is 4,660 mm, 1,795 mm and 1,440 mm.
- Warranty: Aion ES gets eight years/160,000 km; Mazda 3 Sedan gets five years/100,000 km.
- Boot space: Aion ES has 450 litres; Mazda 3 Sedan has 444 litres.
ES
- 442 km claimed EV range from a 55.2 kWh battery.
- 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load capability.
- Longer eight-year/160,000 km warranty.
- 17-inch wheels versus the Mazda 3 Sedan's 18-inch alloys.
3 Sedan
- Adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist.
- Front and rear Smart City Brake Support, blind-spot monitoring and steering correction lane-keeping assist.
- Head-up display, dual-zone climate control and an 8.8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
- RM12,820 more expensive.
- Shorter five-year/100,000 km warranty.
- Six litres less boot space.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM106,800✓ | RM119,620 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70✓ | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 118 hp |
| Torque | — | 153 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 74.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 136 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 225 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 55.2 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 442 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 60 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 5.8 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,810 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,545 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,725 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,361 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 51 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 450 litres✓ | 444 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55 R17 | 215/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55 R17 | 215/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | — | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | — | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17 | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17 | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | — | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | — | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | — | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | — | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | — | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | — | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | — | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | — | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | — | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | — | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | — | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 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 ES & 3 Sedan for sale
ES vs 3 Sedan FAQ
Is the Aion ES or Mazda 3 Sedan better?
The Aion ES is the better fit for buyers ready to charge an EV, with 442 km claimed range, V2L and longer warranty cover. The Mazda 3 Sedan is better equipped on stated active safety and driver-assistance features.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda 3 Sedan costs RM119,620, which is RM12,820 more than the Aion ES at RM106,800.
Which has the longer warranty?
The Aion ES has the longer manufacturer warranty at eight years or 160,000 km. The Mazda 3 Sedan is covered for five years or 100,000 km, and includes free service for that period or mileage.
