Verdict
Just RM1,120 separates these two, but they serve very different Malaysian households. The Mazda CX-3 is the smaller 4,275 mm, five-seat SUV and carries a 350-litre boot, 93 litres more than the X90’s 257 litres. The Proton is a 4,830 mm, seven-seat D-segment SUV with 178 hp and 290 Nm against the Mazda’s 114 hp and 149 Nm, plus six airbags, rear air-con and a 12.3-inch screen. Choose the CX-3 for a compact footprint, blind-spot monitoring and its power driver’s seat; choose the X90 when seven seats and far stronger performance matter more.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you need a shorter five-seater with a larger 350-litre boot, blind-spot monitoring and a memory-equipped power driver’s seat.
Pick the Proton X90 if you need seven seats, 178 hp and 290 Nm, six airbags, rear air-con and an unlimited-mileage five-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-3 RM107,920; Proton X90 RM106,800.
- Output: Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm; Proton X90 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- Seating and boot: Mazda CX-3 five seats and 350 litres; Proton X90 seven seats and 257 litres.
- Dimensions: Mazda CX-3 is 4,275 mm long on a 2,570 mm wheelbase; Proton X90 is 4,830 mm long on a 2,805 mm wheelbase.
- Safety: Mazda CX-3 has two airbags and blind-spot monitoring; Proton X90 has six airbags but no blind-spot monitoring.
- Wheels and suspension: Mazda CX-3 has 16-inch alloys and a torsion-beam rear; Proton X90 has 18-inch alloys and a multi-link rear.
CX-3
- 350-litre boot is 93 litres larger.
- Blind-spot monitoring and head-up display.
- Power driver’s seat with memory function.
- Only five seats versus the X90’s seven.
- 114 hp and 149 Nm trail the X90’s 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- Two airbags versus six, with no rear air-con.
X90
- Seven seats and a 2,805 mm wheelbase.
- 178 hp and 290 Nm turbocharged 1.5 litre.
- Six airbags, rear air-con and 12.3-inch touchscreen.
- 257-litre boot is 93 litres smaller than the CX-3’s.
- No blind-spot monitoring or head-up display.
- Manual driver’s seat versus the CX-3’s powered memory seat.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM107,920 | RM106,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 114 hp at 6,000 rpm | 178 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 149 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 290 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode | — |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,275 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,535 mm | 1,764 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,805 mm |
| Weight | 1,301 kg | 1,695 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 48 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 350 litres✓ | 257 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R16 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R16 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Giti Control P10 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 4 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on two middle row passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen reflector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Manual air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower control |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB | 1 Front, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Second Row, 2 USB Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Back Row |
| Audio | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers | 12.3" Touchscreen Atlas OS Infotainment System with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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 CX-3 & X90 for sale
CX-3 vs X90 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-3 or Proton X90 better?
The Proton X90 is better for carrying people: it has seven seats, 178 hp, 290 Nm, six airbags and rear air-con. The Mazda CX-3 suits buyers prioritising a compact 4,275 mm body, 350-litre boot, blind-spot monitoring and a powered memory driver’s seat.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-3 costs RM107,920 and the Proton X90 costs RM106,800, so the CX-3 is RM1,120 more expensive.
Which has the bigger boot, the Mazda CX-3 or Proton X90?
The Mazda CX-3 has the bigger quoted boot at 350 litres. The Proton X90 has 257 litres, despite being 555 mm longer and having seven seats.
