Launched: 2025 Mazda 3 1.5 High Plus – Hatch & Sedan Available, RM118,900

BAuto also launched a new 1.5 High Plus guise of its Mazda 3 C-segment fighter, and it sees both sedan and hatch body choices on offer.

Besides the 2025 Mazda BT-50 3.0T 4WD High Plus, local Mazda brand custodians Bermaz Motor (BAuto) also announced the arrival of a new Mazda 3 variant – the 2025 Mazda 3 1.5 High Plus.

Available in both sedan and hatchback (liftback) forms, this rebooted entry-level guise of the Hiroshima brand’s signature C-segment fighter was showcased earlier today at BAuto’s roadshow event happening this week at 1Utama, Petaling Jaya.

Replacing the discontinued 1.5 Mid variant, this High Plus guise brings a wealth of added kit and amenities at a much lower and more attractive RM118,900 nett price tag.

This new, fully-loaded and fully imported (CBU) variant sees both hatch and sedan choices command a shared RM118,900 nett selling price (sans insurance and on-road costs). In typical BAuto fashion, said price includes both a comprehensive 5-year or 100,000 KM warranty plus free maintenance package deal.

As a refresher, this is the rebooted entry-level guise of the Mazda 3, and it replaces the previously offered 1.5 Mid guise that wasn’t as richly endowed. Despite gaining more kit and amenities, the new 1.5 High Plus guise arrives with an attractively lower price tag versus the discontinued 1.5 Mid guise that once retailed for RM149,320.

Bookings for this variant were opened by BAuto back in June this year, and it’s now available for viewing at the roadshow event mentioned.

Mazda 3 1.5 High Plus sedan pictured. Both this and its hatch twin come brimmed with the i-Activesense ADAS package that enables semi-autonomous driving abilities.

Though we’ve detailed this at length prior, it’s worth refreshing you that the 1.5 High Plus guise brings a wealth of added features, key amongst which being the Mazda brand’s i-Activesense ADAS suite.

Key features from said suite includes the Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS), Smart Brake Support (SBS), lane-departure warning and keeping assist (LDWS & LAS), front and rear cross-traffic alert (FCTA & RCTA), blind spot monitor (BSM), driver attention alert (DAA), as well as adaptive headlights (AFS) and high beam control (HBC).

Other key assists safety functions brimmed aboard include nine airbags, hill-launch assist (HLA), Auto Hold Function, ABS with EBD and BA, as well as stability and traction control suites (DSC & TCS).

No mechanical changes to report as this variant packs a direct-injected 1.5-litre 4-cyl Skyactiv-G petrol mill mated with a Skyactiv-Drive 6-speed automatic box.

Mechanically, this variant of the Mazda 3 continues unchanged from the 1.5 Mid guise whereby it packs a 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G 4-cyl petrol mill with direct injection outputting 118 hp and 153 Nm to the front wheels via a 6-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic box.

Moving into the cabin and both hatch and sedan variants are brimmed with the same high-level of kit. Highlights include power-adjustable driver seat with memory function, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents, plush leather seat upholstery, electronic parking brake (EPB), as well as steering-mounted paddle-shifters.

10.25-inch infotainment display brings wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, whilst a colour HUD should be a treat for drivers in the hot seat too.

As for tech, there’s a 10.25-inch central infotainment display brimmed with voice command, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an 8-speaker audio suite. Next comes a 7-inch full-colour TFT instrument panel plus a colour heads-up display (HUD) projected on the windscreen.

The tech list continues with the inclusion of two USB-C charging ports, reverse camera function, wireless charging pad, as well as keyless entry and ignition plus Mazda’s signature and drive-enhancing G-Vectoring Control Plus system.

Besides boot space, the real difference also lies in leather colour. Take note only the hatch gains the more vibrant burgundy motif (right).

Effectively, the real difference between the two lie in their respective boot spaces – 444 litres (sedan) versus 295 litres (hatch) – and their respective interior leather colours. For the latter, the sedan gets the black motif whilst the hatch gains a more vibrant burgundy hue instead.

Lastly, no less than seven exterior paintwork options are available, and it includes the Mazda brand’s signature Soul Red Crystal hue.

Despite this market space’s stagnation of late, do you reckon this Mazda can woo prospects away from rivals like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla? Share your take in the comments below then…