Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer choosing new versus outgoing, the Mazda 3 Hatchback BP is the more complete daily car despite costing RM1,485 less at RM119,620. Its 118 hp and 153 Nm 1.5 litre engine is well down on the BM’s 162 hp and 210 Nm 2.0 litre, but annual road tax falls from RM379 to RM90. The BP also adds seven airbags, front and rear autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and a five-year/100,000 km warranty. Pick the BM if the extra 44 hp matters more than those driver-assistance gains.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback BM if you want the stronger 162 hp, 210 Nm 2.0 litre petrol engine and a 308-litre boot.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback BP if you want lower RM90 road tax, more active safety kit and five-year/100,000 km warranty coverage.
Key differences
- Price: BM RM121,105; BP RM119,620.
- Engine output: BM 162 hp/210 Nm from 1,998 cc; BP 118 hp/153 Nm from 1,496 cc.
- Road tax: BM RM379 per year; BP RM90 per year.
- Wheelbase: BM 2,700 mm; BP 2,725 mm.
- Safety: BM has 6 airbags and no autonomous braking; BP has 7 airbags plus front and rear SCBS.
- Boot space: BM 308 litres; BP 295 litres.
BM
- 162 hp and 210 Nm from the 2.0 litre engine.
- 308-litre boot is 13 litres larger.
- Front foglamps and navigation are fitted.
- RM379 annual road tax versus the BP’s RM90.
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking or adaptive cruise control.
- Three-year/100,000 km warranty versus five years/100,000 km.
BP
- Seven airbags, blind-spot monitoring and front/rear autonomous braking.
- Adaptive cruise control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist.
- Dual-zone climate control, power driver’s seat and wireless?
- 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the BM by 44 hp and 57 Nm.
- 295-litre boot is 13 litres smaller than the BM’s.
- 1,368 kg kerb weight is 76 kg higher than the BM’s 1,292 kg.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM121,105 | RM119,620✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 162 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 210 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | —✓ | 5.9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 4,460 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,450 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,725 mm |
| Weight | 1,292 kg | 1,368 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 308 litres✓ | 295 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 215/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes T1 Sport | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (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 | 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 | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Dynamic Bi-Xenon Projector | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" Touch-screen with Commander Control, navigation, CD, Bluetooth, AUX and USB, 6 speakers | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, 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 |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| 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 | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Central speedometer with digital rev counter | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 3-year/60,000 km free service | 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 cars for sale
BM vs BP FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback BM or Mazda 3 Hatchback BP better?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback BP is better for safety, convenience and ownership costs: it has seven airbags, autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, RM90 road tax and a five-year warranty. The BM is the better pick only if its 162 hp 2.0 litre engine is the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback BP costs RM119,620, which is RM1,485 less than the Mazda 3 Hatchback BM at RM121,105.
Which Mazda 3 Hatchback has the stronger engine?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback BM has the stronger engine, producing 162 hp and 210 Nm from 1,998 cc. The BP’s 1,496 cc engine produces 118 hp and 153 Nm.
