A tail of two different cities: Mazda 3 Liftback 1.5 High Plus and BYD Seal 6 Dynamic compared

Hatchback buyers typically expect generous practicality from the boot: a wide aperture, hassle-free loading, and van-like utility once the rear seats are folded down. However, the Mazda 3 Liftback offers just 295 litres of boot capacity—149 litres less than the Sedan's 444 litres.

Pop the tailgate open in the showroom, and that deficit becomes instantly apparent: toss in a 28-inch suitcase, and you are left with just enough room for a couple of backpacks.

On the other hand, the BYD Seal 6 Dynamic serves up a 460-litre boot, along with an overall length of 4,720 mm and a 2,820 mm wheelbase—both comfortably eclipsing the Mazda 3 Liftback.

The two contenders are priced at RM120,620 and RM100,000 respectively, a gap of RM20,620. Doing the sums starts with boot space, but there is far more to the comparison than that.

Specifications comparison

Home wallbox vs the petrol station run

The Seal 6 Dynamic packs a 56.64 kWh Blade battery, returning a WLTP-rated range of 410 km. It supports up to 100 kW DC fast charging, juicing from 30% to 80% in about 23 minutes, while AC charging tops out at 7 kW.

Powering the Mazda 3 Liftback is a 1.5-litre SkyActiv-G unit pushing 118 hp and 153 Nm, with a claimed fuel consumption of 5.9 L/100 km and a 51-litre fuel tank. Factoring in RON95 petrol at RM2.05 per litre over an annual mileage of 20,000 km, you will be looking at around RM2,419 in annual fuel bills.

Plug the Seal 6 into a home AC wallbox on standard Malaysian electricity tariffs, and your annual charging bill drops to roughly RM1,200 to RM1,600.

That works out to a yearly running cost saving of RM800 to RM1,200, which compounds to about RM4,000 to RM6,000 over five years.

Factor in the RM20,620 cheaper entry price alongside five years of energy savings, and the Seal 6's total cost of ownership undercuts the Mazda 3 Liftback by around RM25,000 to RM27,000.

That math, however, assumes you have dedicated home charging. Without a home wallbox, the Seal 6 has to rely on public charging infrastructure, where commercial tariffs drive up per-kWh running costs and charging sessions disrupt your daily schedule.

With or without home charging, the Seal 6 is an entirely different financial proposition.

On the road tax front, the Seal 6 Dynamic's 95 kW motor incurs an annual fee of RM80 against the Mazda 3 Liftback's RM90—a negligible RM10 difference in the grand scheme of total running costs.

Power and performance

The Seal 6 Dynamic's rear-mounted electric motor puts out 129 hp and 220 Nm, clocking the century sprint in 10.9 seconds.

The Mazda 3 Liftback routes its 118 hp and 153 Nm through a 6-speed SkyActiv-Drive automatic transmission, completing 0-100 km/h in roughly 11.8 seconds.

On paper, less than a second separates the two, making flat-out differences negligible in day-to-day driving. Yet, the delivery could not be more distinct.

The Seal 6's 220 Nm is on tap the instant you bury the throttle, yielding instantaneous response when darting through city traffic or pulling away from traffic lights, without waiting for downshifts.

By contrast, the Mazda 3 Liftback serves up a more progressive build-up; the clean shifts of the 6AT and the climbing revs are integral to its charm, and for purists accustomed to internal combustion engines, that mechanical engagement remains inherently satisfying.

The two cars show distinct temperaments at lower speeds, but start feeling similar once up to highway cruising pace. Neither has massive reserves of power to spare, so high-speed overtakes require planning ahead.

Equipment

The Mazda 3 Liftback 1.5 High Plus boasts a well-appointed kit list: 18-inch alloys wrapped in 215/45R18 tyres, a head-up display, blind spot monitoring, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with dual memory, 7 airbags, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-speaker sound system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Its i-ActivSense ADAS suite includes adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go, front and rear AEB, lane keep assist, and rear cross traffic alert.

The cabin is lined with burgundy leather—a premium touch seldom seen at this price point.

The Seal 6 Dynamic takes a different, tech-first path.

It features a 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charging, a digital key, 360-degree camera, 6 airbags, and an ADAS suite that bundles full-speed adaptive cruise control and AEB.

Dual-zone auto air-conditioning and rear vents come standard. Its voice command system supports English, Malay, Mandarin, and Cantonese, while the 3.3 kW V2L external power supply can run appliances on camping trips.

The Mazda 3 Liftback's head-up display, blind spot monitoring, and extra airbag are tangible hardware advantages that assist the driver on every single commute.

The Seal 6's 360-degree camera, rotating screen, and V2L capability prove more impressive when parking and during outdoor activities.

Cabin space

The Mazda 3 Liftback measures 4,460 mm long with a 2,725 mm wheelbase and a kerb weight of 1,368 kg. The Seal 6 Dynamic stretches to 4,720 mm with a 2,820 mm wheelbase, tipping the scales at approximately 1,780 kg.

With an extra 260 mm in length and 95 mm more between the axles, the Seal 6 provides more generous rear legroom.

The boot capacity is where the contrast is starkest.

At 295 litres, the Mazda 3 Liftback sits on the tighter side for a C-segment hatch; folding down the rear seats opens up cargo volume, but standard luggage capacity remains modest.

The Seal 6's 460-litre boot paired with a 65-litre frunk delivers an unmistakable practical edge for family duties.

If carrying rear passengers is part of your daily routine or the boot gets packed to the brim weekly, the Seal 6's cabin room will be appreciated every single day.

But if the rear seats rarely see use and the boot only ever holds daily work bags and groceries, the Mazda 3 Liftback's tighter dimensions make it far handier to park and thread through tight urban spaces.

Warranty and resale value

The Seal 6 is backed by a 6-year or 150,000 km vehicle warranty, alongside an 8-year or 160,000 km battery and drive unit warranty. The Mazda 3 Liftback provides a 5-year or 100,000 km vehicle warranty paired with a 5-year or 100,000 km free service package.

The Seal 6 gives you an extra year of coverage and a 50,000 km higher mileage cap, which holds real appeal for high-mileage road warriors. On the flip side, the Mazda 3 Liftback's five-year free service package spares you routine servicing expenses for the first five years of ownership.

When it comes to depreciation, the Mazda 3 Liftback benefits from an established local track record and predictable second-hand market demand, backed by verified three-year residual data.

As a fresh 2025 entrant to the Malaysian market, the Seal 6 has yet to build up an empirical used-car price history. Expect the Seal 6's long-term residual value to hinge heavily on the expansion rate of BYD's dealer network and the robustness of its aftersales parts supply.

Crucially, BYD's move towards local CKD assembly provides a reassuring sign for future residual values.

Which car should you buy?

If your landed property allows for a home wallbox installation, your annual mileage clocks over 15,000 km, and you regularly ferry passengers and gear, the Seal 6 Dynamic's running cost edge and spacious cabin make themselves felt on every drive.

At an entry price of RM100,000, it presents an remarkably accessible route into a well-equipped electric sedan.

However, if your living arrangement rules out home charging, or your daily driving involves short, predictable urban hops, the sheer refueling convenience and plush cabin of the Mazda 3 Liftback 1.5 High Plus fit everyday life with far less fuss.

Its 18-inch rims, head-up display, blind spot monitoring, 10-way powered seat, and burgundy leather upholstery deliver an upmarket feel on daily commutes, while the five-year free maintenance package keeps ownership costs predictable.

Ultimately, the verdict hinges on one fundamental question: when you pull up to your porch each evening, is there a charger waiting to be plugged in? The answer to that question dictates whether the Seal 6's financial case holds water far more than any spec-sheet comparison ever could.