Verdict
The 3 Sedan has a 36% bigger boot, the Yaris is about 26% cheaper, while the 3 Sedan is 11% more powerful. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
The 3 Sedan 1.5 High Plus (RM119,620) sits above every Yaris variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
What the 3 Sedan has over the Yaris
What the Yaris has over the 3 Sedan
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The 3 Sedan's wheelbase is 175 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The 3 Sedan is 65 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the 3 Sedan: 444 litres against 286.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,620 | RM88,000✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,220/mo | RM900/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,390 | RM2,568✓ |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM2,308 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM11.54 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM28,940 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 105 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ | 150 Nm at 4,200 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm | 72 mm × 91.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | CVT with 7 Speed Sports Sequential Shift |
| 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 | 4,140 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,475 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,550 mm |
| Weight | 1,361 kg | 1,140 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 42 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 444 litres✓ | 286 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R18 | 195/50R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/45R18 | 195/50R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 16" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Toyo Proxes R50 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | 24 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 17 inch | 14 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | — | 14 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Two-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Two-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, 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, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector |
| 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 |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 2 Rear USB-C |
| 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" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB and 6 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 | — |
| 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 | 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 | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used 3 Sedan & Yaris for sale
Our reviews & guides
3 Sedan vs Yaris FAQ
Which one is locally assembled?
The Yaris is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the 3 Sedan is fully imported (CBU) from Japan. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.
