Verdict
These are close only in shape: both are front-wheel-drive C-segment five-door hatchbacks. The Nissan Leaf brings electric operation and much higher motor output at 148 hp and 320 Nm, from a 40.0-kWh battery rated for 270 km; 6.6-kW AC and 50-kW DC charging suit an owner with dependable charging access. The Mazda 3 Hatchback uses 5.9 L/100 km and a 51-litre tank instead. Its 2,725-mm wheelbase is 35 mm longer, but the Leaf’s 435-litre boot beats the Mazda’s 295 litres by 140 litres.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want the lower purchase price, petrol refuelling convenience and more driver-assistance and cabin equipment.
Pick the Nissan Leaf if you have reliable charging and want 270 km of EV range, 320 Nm of motor torque and a much larger boot.
Key differences
- Power and torque: Mazda 118 hp/153 Nm; Nissan motor 148 hp/320 Nm.
- Energy use and range: Mazda is rated at 5.9 L/100 km with a 51-litre tank; Nissan has a 40.0-kWh battery rated for 270 km.
- Wheelbase: Mazda 2,725 mm; Nissan 2,690 mm.
- Boot space: Mazda 295 litres; Nissan 435 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: Mazda 5 years/100,000 km; Nissan 3 years/100,000 km.
- Rear suspension: Mazda multi-link; Nissan torsion beam.
3 Hatchback
- 7 airbags, blind spot monitoring and lane-keeping steering correction.
- Adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist.
- 8.8-inch infotainment, eight speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
- 295-litre boot is 140 litres smaller than the Leaf’s.
- 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the Leaf motor’s 148 hp and 320 Nm.
- No Around View Monitor.
Leaf
- 148 hp/320 Nm electric motor and 270-km rated range.
- 435-litre boot and Around View Monitor.
- 8-year/160,000-km battery warranty and 50-kW DC charging.
- Costs RM49,268 more than the Mazda 3 Hatchback.
- Three-year manufacturer warranty is two years shorter than the Mazda’s.
- Lacks blind spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist, and uses a torsion-beam rear suspension.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM168,888 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM100 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 148 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 320 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 40.0 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 270 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 6.6 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 50.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | Constant Ratio Gearbox for EV |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Nissan |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.9 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 155 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 1,368 kg | 1,544 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 295 litres | 435 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/50R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/50R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Dunlop Enasave EC300 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | e-Pedal, Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 5" Display Radio/CD Player with USB, Bluetooth, AUX-in and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, 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 | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials | 6.6 kW Wallbox, 7" Information Display, Climate Control Timer |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free service | 3-year/60,000 km Free Service, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Complimentary Usage of Nissan SUV, MPV or Pick-up for 23 Days per Year |
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 3 Hatchback & Leaf for sale
3 Hatchback vs Leaf FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Nissan Leaf better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is the better fit for lower upfront cost, petrol convenience and a richer safety and infotainment list. Choose the Nissan Leaf if home or workplace charging is assured and its 270-km range, 320 Nm and 435-litre boot matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM119,620 and the Nissan Leaf costs RM168,888, so the Leaf is RM49,268 more expensive.
Which has the larger boot?
The Nissan Leaf has the larger boot at 435 litres, compared with 295 litres in the Mazda 3 Hatchback.
