Verdict
At RM119,620, the Mazda 3 Sedan is RM25,180 cheaper yet gets front-and-rear Smart City Brake Support, blind-spot monitoring, steering lane correction, an 8.8-inch system with eight speakers and navigation. Its 1,496 cc engine makes 118 hp and 153 Nm, so the Corolla’s 137 hp and 172 Nm is the stronger choice. The Toyota also has a 470-litre boot, rear air vents, 360-degree camera and double-wishbone rear suspension. Still, the Mazda is 30 mm longer, has a 25 mm longer wheelbase, costs RM90 a year in road tax and includes five years/100,000 km free service.
Pick the Mazda 3 Sedan if you want the RM25,180 saving, more active safety equipment and lower RM90 annual road tax.
Pick the Toyota Corolla if stronger 137 hp/172 Nm output, a 470-litre boot, rear vents and a 360-degree camera matter more than price.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Sedan RM119,620; Toyota Corolla RM144,800.
- Power and torque: Mazda 3 Sedan 118 hp and 153 Nm; Toyota Corolla 137 hp and 172 Nm.
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Sedan 444 litres; Toyota Corolla 470 litres.
- Rear suspension: Mazda 3 Sedan torsion beam; Toyota Corolla double wishbone.
- Wheelbase: Mazda 3 Sedan 2,725 mm; Toyota Corolla 2,700 mm.
- Annual road tax: Mazda 3 Sedan RM90; Toyota Corolla RM279.
3 Sedan
- RM25,180 lower purchase price
- Front-and-rear autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane steering correction
- 8.8-inch infotainment with navigation and eight speakers
- 118 hp and 153 Nm trail the Corolla's 137 hp and 172 Nm
- 444-litre boot is 26 litres smaller
- No rear air vents or 360-degree camera
Corolla
- 137 hp and 172 Nm engine output
- 470-litre boot, rear air vents and 360-degree camera
- Double-wishbone rear suspension and unlimited-mileage five-year warranty
- Costs RM25,180 more
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
- RM279 annual road tax is RM189 higher
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620✓ | RM144,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM279 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp | 137 hp✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm | 172 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.8 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,361 kg | 1,365 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 444 litres | 470 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Double Wishbone |
| 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 | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear 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 on 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 | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-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 | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| 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 | 9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| 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 3 Sedan & Corolla for sale
3 Sedan vs Corolla FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Sedan or Toyota Corolla better?
The Mazda 3 Sedan is the better buy for safety equipment and price, costing RM25,180 less while adding front-and-rear autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane steering correction. Choose the Corolla for its stronger engine, bigger boot and rear-seat amenities.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Corolla costs RM144,800, which is RM25,180 more than the RM119,620 Mazda 3 Sedan. The Corolla adds more power, a larger 470-litre boot, rear vents and a 360-degree camera.
Which car is better for rear-seat passengers and luggage?
The Toyota Corolla is better equipped for passengers and luggage, with rear air vents, a rear centre armrest and a 470-litre boot. The Mazda 3 Sedan has a 444-litre boot and no rear air vents, but its wheelbase is 25 mm longer.
