New 2026 Mazda 3 1.5L launched in Malaysia: RM 120k, High Plus with ADAS

The moment that a lot of folks have been waiting for is here – Bermaz Motor Sdn Bhd has finally launched the new 2026 Mazda 3 1.5L High Plus in Malaysia.

The new 1.5L High Plus variant of the Mazda 3 is priced from RM 119,620 (on-the-road, without insurance), marking a RM 37,000 reduction in price compared to the 2.0L variants. That being said, that price gap is considerably smaller when the Mazda 3 1.5L is compared to the Mazda 2 – the latter retails for RM 111,562.

Overview

The 2026 Mazda 3 1.5L is the new entry-level variant of the Mazda 3 family. Taking up from where the old Mazda 3 1.5L Mid left off, offering a more well-rounded package than before.

Admirably, Bermaz has managed to offer the Mazda 3 1.5L High Plus (with more equipment) at a lower price tag than the Mid (retailed for RM 138,660 back then).

This C-segment model is available as both a sedan and hatchback – the latter marketed as Liftback by Mazda.

The 2026 Mazda 3 1.5L High Plus is fully imported (CBU) from Japan, similar to the larger 2.0L variants.

Exterior

There’s little to differentiate the Mazda 3 1.5L High Plus from its 2.0L siblings. Similar to its 2.0L siblings, the 1.5L also gets LED headlights with Mazda Signature DRLs, as well as LED tail lights.

What sets the Mazda 3 1.5L apart from the 2.0L siblings are the wheel colours and trim pieces: the Liftback gets 18-inch wheels finished in dark grey, while the sedan gets silver 18-inch alloy wheels. The trim pieces are gloss black on the Liftback and chrome on the sedan.

Other exterior bits include front and rear parking sensors and keyless entry with push start button. The Mazda 3 1.5L High Plus does not get the sunroof that the 2.0L variants get.

Colour options include Ceramic Metallic, Jet Black, Machine Grey, Platinum Quartz, Polymetal Grey, and Soul Red Crystal. Deep Crystal Blue and Snowflake White are exclusive to the 2.0L variants of the Mazda 3.

Interior

The interior of the 2026 Mazda 3 1.5L is also similar to the 2.0L siblings, down to the Burgundy leather upholstery on the Liftback (similar to the Ignite Edition). The sedan gets the same black leather seats as the rest of its stablemates.

Curiously, the Mazda 3 1.5L with the Burgundy leather upholstery gets said leather treatment on the seats, dashboard, and door trim, while the 2.0L Ignite Edition only gets Burgundy seats; the dashboard and door trims are finished in regular black leather.

There’s also the 10.25-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, eight speakers, paddle shifters, and a 10-way powered driver seat with memory function.

Powertrain

Powering the 2026 Mazda 3 1.5L is a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that outputs 118 PS and 153 Nm, hooked up to Mazda’s six-speed automatic transmission.