Verdict
At RM103,800, the GAC GS3 costs RM4,120 less than the RM107,920 Mazda CX-3 yet brings a 177 hp/270 Nm 1.5-litre turbo against the Mazda’s 114 hp/149 Nm naturally aspirated unit; its claimed 0-100 km/h time is 7.5 seconds. It is also 135 mm longer and has a 80 mm longer wheelbase, while adding autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. The CX-3 claws back ground with a 350-litre boot, 9 litres more than the GS3, plus a head-up display, driver-seat memory and free servicing for five years/100,000 km.
Pick the GAC GS3 if you want far stronger 177 hp and 270 Nm outputs, active safety systems and adaptive cruise control for less money.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if a slightly larger 350-litre boot, head-up display, driver-seat memory and five-year/100,000 km free service matter more than outright performance.
Key differences
- Price: GAC GS3 RM103,800; Mazda CX-3 RM107,920.
- Power and torque: GAC GS3 177 hp and 270 Nm; Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm.
- Length and wheelbase: GAC GS3 4,410 mm and 2,650 mm; Mazda CX-3 4,275 mm and 2,570 mm.
- Boot space: GAC GS3 341 litres; Mazda CX-3 350 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: GAC GS3 18-inch wheels with 225/55R18 tyres; Mazda CX-3 16-inch wheels with 215/60R16 tyres.
- Warranty mileage: GAC GS3 5 years/150,000 km; Mazda CX-3 5 years/100,000 km.
GS3
- 177 hp and 270 Nm from its 1.5-litre turbo engine.
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
- RM4,120 lower price and 150,000 km warranty coverage.
- 341-litre boot is 9 litres smaller than the Mazda’s.
- No head-up display or driver-seat memory function.
- At 1,370 kg, it is 69 kg heavier than the CX-3.
CX-3
- 350-litre boot and a 48-litre fuel tank.
- Head-up display, driver-seat memory and folding wing mirrors.
- Five-year/100,000 km free service included.
- 114 hp and 149 Nm trail the GS3’s 177 hp and 270 Nm by a wide margin.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping assist.
- Costs RM4,120 more despite its shorter 2,570 mm wheelbase.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM103,800✓ | RM107,920 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,497 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp✓ | 114 hp |
| Torque | 270 Nm✓ | 149 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 74.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,275 mm |
| Width | 1,850 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Height | 1,600 mm | 1,535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,370 kg | 1,301 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 48 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 341 litres | 350 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 215/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 215/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UC6 SUV | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 16" 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 Front Passenger | Driver and Passenger |
| 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB | 1 front, 2 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers |
| 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 |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| 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 GS3 & CX-3 for sale
GS3 vs CX-3 FAQ
Is the GAC GS3 or Mazda CX-3 better?
The GAC GS3 is the stronger all-round buy on these specifications: it costs less, has 63 hp and 121 Nm more, and includes autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. Choose the CX-3 for its boot, head-up display and free servicing.
What is the price difference?
The GAC GS3 is RM103,800 and the Mazda CX-3 is RM107,920, so the Mazda costs RM4,120 more.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Mazda CX-3 has the bigger boot at 350 litres, compared with 341 litres in the GAC GS3. The difference is 9 litres.
