Bermaz Motor has officially launched a new variant of the Mazda 3 called the 1.5L High Plus, which is offered in both sedan and hatchback (also referred to as the Liftback) body styles. This marks the return of a variant with a 1.5 litre engine, which was dropped when the Mazda 3 got updated back in October 2023.
Fully imported (CBU) from Japan like the other variants, the 1.5L High Plus retails for RM119,620 on-the-road without insurance. That makes it RM36,439 cheaper than the 2.0L High (RM156,059), which was the most affordable 2.0L variant of the Mazda 3 – this variant is now gone from the line-up. The gap to the 2.0L High Plus, which goes for RM166,059, is even larger at RM46,439. To widen the comparison scope even further, the previous 1.5L Mid was RM149,320 prior to its removal.
As the variant name suggests, the Mazda 3 1.5L High Plus offers more kit than the defunct 1.5L Mid. Looking at the spec sheets, the new offering is very similar to the existing 2.0L High Plus, with standard features being 18-inch alloy wheels (with 215/45 Bridgestone Turanza T005A tyres), LED headlamps with signature lighting, rain-sensing wipers as well as keyless entry and start. One difference is that the 1.5L High Plus doesn’t get the 2.0L High Plus’ powered sunroof.
Moving inside, you’ll find a seven-inch instrument cluster display, paddle shifters, dual-zone climate control (with rear vents), a powered driver’s seat (with memory function), leather seat upholstery, a 10.25-inch infotainment display, support for wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, eight-speakers and a wireless charging pad.
An ADAS suite is standard for the 1.5L High Plus, with available functions being steering-responsive headlamps (AFS), auto high beam (HBC), blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, driver attention alert, front and rear autonomous emergency braking (Smart Brake Support), Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) and Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS).
Like the 2.0L High Plus, the 1.5L High Plus doesn’t come with front cross traffic alert, which isn’t present on any Mazda 3 variant aside from the hatchback-only 2.0L Ignite Edition. Seven airbags (front, side, curtain and driver’s knee) continue to be the default across the Mazda 3 range. Front and rear parking sensors, along with a reverse camera are standard to help with parking.
In terms of the powertrain, the Skyactiv-G 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol engine is carried over from the 1.5L Mid. It continues to serve up 118 hp and 153 Nm of torque, which is less than the 2.0 litre mill rated at 162 hp and 213 Nm.
A Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission is paired with the engine to send drive to the front wheels. Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) is also here to maintain handling stability by varying engine torque in response to steering inputs, while also uses the brake to add direct yaw moment control.
Colour options are lesser for the 1.5L High Plus with the removal of Deep Crystal Blue and Snowflake White Pearl, leaving just Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Platinum Quartz, Jet Black and Polymetal Gray – the 2.0L variants continue to have seven hues available. Like most Mazda passenger vehicles, a five-year/100,000-km warranty and free maintenance (includes labour, parts and lubricants) package comes with each purchase. Bermaz Motor also throws in Activ-e window film for the asking price.
If you want the Mazda 3 in 2.0L High Plus guise but can make do without a sunroof and larger-displacement engine, the 1.5L High Plus seems to be a good deal. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
GALLERY: 2026 Mazda 3 1.5L High Plus Liftback
GALLERY: 2026 Mazda 3 1.5L High Plus Sedan
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Whoever buy this really likes to be taken advantage of by bermaz team of greedy executives.
this will get smoked by a 50k myvi.
am not so sure how the pricing gap for this one works. is the tax difference on the 1.5l engine vs the 2.0l engine really THAT much ? consider the cx-60 they manage to price at just a little over 200k. sure it’s a 2.5l na but you also get so much more car for the money. and the ignite edition is now the same-ish price as the 2.5l cx-5 turbo. how does that even work heh. Bermaz and their pricing (and the way they spec their cars) is a mess.
As powerful as the Proton Saga MC3 with 120hp 150nm.
Will I buy a 1.5k for 146k? Nah, get a saga Mk IV instead and save myself 100k.
its not 146k , vgm staff never reads – Fully imported (CBU) from Japan like the other variants, the 1.5L High Plus retails for RM119,620
SAGA quality you want compete with JAPAN imported quality? wake up la… pathetic drive your saga lor
@hey Ex VGM staff, would you please don’t act like a stupid? Please read the article before you comment. The price is around 120k, not 146k.
Sales started going down hill.. take care
City 10.3s, Vios 12.3s, MG5 11.5s
Top up 20k from B segments for C segment car with B segment power, not too bad.
when you die die pay for the badge. totally underpowered with that body to weight ratio. typical 9-6 bud will buy this so that they can balik kampung with gaya
yea.. talking big when you can only afford a myvi.. from your words feeling a mazda is gaya when balik kampung already know you driving some pathetic cheap car
tell me you never own a CBU without telling me , you B40 talk big like you’ve owned lots of top class cars
100 million times correct
1.5na? Looks nice in the eye but not much under the hood. Ready to makan asap with king myvi and saga iGT
Nice premium 1.5L cbu but don’t want the i-stop feature.
This look will stay for another 20 years.
Even 2.0 feel no enough, now the same car with only 1.5. No need to argue with me, otr volume will tell you the answer!
seen plenty otr here especially the older model , heck even latest Mazda 2 is alot already and the BT-50 which many said will not be selling at all . I guess maybe depends on your area ?
finally Bermaz got brain , should have done this like 5 years ago instead of hiking the price while barely selling here. In other countries Mazda 3 is one of the most sought after cars brand due to their beautiful kodo design and their reliability since they are mostly CBU. In the US market , they offer an even powerful 2.5l AWD version because of how popular it is there.
Still no manual transmission option for Malaysia? HARD PASS!!!
Mazda 3 hatchback with the 2.5 Turbo pls….like those selling in north america. This one sure powerful with the turbo engine and less weight than my CX5 2.5T. Lucky those North american buyers. a GTI like hatch back but wt Japanese reliability.
The fact that a fully imported CBU Mazda 3 can be sold around RM120K is enough to prove that Honda Malaysia is selling the Civic purely on corporate margin. Rm133K for a “premium” ? come on la, the Mazda 3 can offer better interior quality than a basic Civic E that costs more despite being CKD. Tersangatlah “H” brand