On paper, an RM 119,900 asking price for a car that has a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine sounds about as realistic as paying RM 50 for a cup of coffee. But some people do pay that, because there’s a difference between coffee and… coffee.

Here is an easily overlooked fact. In Malaysia, the price gap between different variants of the same model is often wider than that between competing brands. But when two cars from completely different marques sit just RM13,280 apart, things get rather interesting.

In Malaysian car showrooms, when cars with overlapping price tags but different segment positionings sit side by side, buyers often stop for a closer look.

Pop the tailgate of the Mazda 3 Liftback, and after chucking in a 28-inch luggage, the 295-litre boot leaves barely enough room to squeeze in two backpacks. Shut it, walk over to the Corolla, and its 470-litre boot easily swallows a cabin trolley and a full week's worth of grocery runs alongside the exact same suitcase.

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.

Mazda could be returning to the hot hatch segment with a production version of the Mazda Spirit Racing 3, according to a report by Motor-Fan.

For many driving enthusiasts, the Mazda 3 has always stood out in the C-segment market. Since the fourth-generation model made its debut in late 2018, it has won over countless drivers with Mazda's Kodo design philosophy and its signature Jinba Ittai driving experience. Now entering its eighth year, the Mazda 3 has yet to receive a full model change. Instead, Mazda has introduced the 2027 model ye