Verdict
At RM119,620, the Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM11,280 less than the RM130,900 Suzuki Swift Sport, yet brings C-segment space: it is 570 mm longer, has a 2,725 mm wheelbase and a 295-litre boot. It also gets seven airbags, front and rear autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. The 970-kg Suzuki counters with 140 hp and 230 Nm, versus 118 hp and 153 Nm, plus an 8.0-second 0-100 km/h time. Buy it for stronger performance; pick the Mazda for daily family use and its fuller safety kit.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want the larger cabin and boot, seven airbags, autonomous braking and a five-year/100,000 km warranty with free service.
Pick the Suzuki Swift Sport if its 140 hp, 230 Nm turbo engine, 970-kg kerb weight and 8.0-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than space and driver assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Suzuki Swift Sport RM130,900.
- Power and torque: Mazda 3 Hatchback 118 hp and 153 Nm; Suzuki Swift Sport 140 hp and 230 Nm.
- Length and wheelbase: Mazda 3 Hatchback 4,460 mm and 2,725 mm; Suzuki Swift Sport 3,890 mm and 2,450 mm.
- Kerb weight: Mazda 3 Hatchback 1,368 kg; Suzuki Swift Sport 970 kg.
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Hatchback 295 litres; Suzuki Swift Sport 265 litres.
- Warranty: Mazda 3 Hatchback five years/100,000 km; Suzuki Swift Sport three years/100,000 km.
3 Hatchback
- Larger 295-litre boot and 2,725 mm wheelbase.
- Seven airbags, front and rear autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist.
- Adaptive cruise control and five-year/100,000 km free service.
- 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the Suzuki Swift Sport's 140 hp and 230 Nm.
- At 1,368 kg, it is 398 kg heavier than the Suzuki Swift Sport.
- No front foglamps, where the Suzuki Swift Sport has them.
Swift Sport
- 140 hp and 230 Nm from its turbocharged 1.4-litre engine.
- 970 kg kerb weight and an 8.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Front foglamps and a 205 km/h top speed.
- Six airbags versus the Mazda 3 Hatchback's seven.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control.
- Smaller 265-litre boot and a shorter three-year warranty.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM130,900 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM70✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,373 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm | 140 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 230 Nm at 2,500 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm | 73 mm × 81.9 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 9.9 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 6AT |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.9 L/100 km✓ | 6.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 3,890 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,495 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,450 mm |
| Weight | 1,368 kg | 970 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 37 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 295 litres✓ | 265 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 195/50R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 195/50R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Yokohama Advan A13C |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front 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 for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Driver and Front Passenger |
| 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 Adjustable, Driver's seat height adjustable |
| 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 | Front Cabin Light |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 7.0" Touchscreen Radio DVD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth, Navigation and 6 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down |
| 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 | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 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 | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials | — |
| 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 | — |
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 & Swift Sport for sale
3 Hatchback vs Swift Sport FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Suzuki Swift Sport better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback is the better choice for most Malaysian buyers because it is larger, cheaper and far better equipped for safety. The Suzuki Swift Sport is the clear choice if you prioritise its stronger 140 hp turbo engine and 970-kg weight.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM11,280 less than the Suzuki Swift Sport.
Which hatchback has more safety equipment?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback has the broader safety kit: seven airbags, front and rear autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. The Suzuki Swift Sport has six airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control, but lacks those driver-assistance systems.
