Mazda3 1.5L High Plus launched in Malaysia with bigger screen, Wireless AACP, full safety suite - From RM119k

KUALA LUMPUR: Bermaz Motor has introduced a new variant for the Mazda3 called the High Plus, adding to the the Mazda3 1.5L Malaysian lineup, and this model, comes with a bit more substance.

The variant now gets a round of upgrades that bring it closer to the higher-spec 2.0L versions — without losing what made the Mazda3 such a desirable choice in the first place.

From the outside, nothing dramatic has changed. It still wears Mazda’s signature Kodo: Soul of Motion design, where every curve and crease looks like it’s been drawn with purpose.

It’s elegant without trying too hard, and even after a few years, it still feels like one of the most cohesive designs in its class.

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More kit, less compromise

Inside, the 1.5L High Plus gets more of the good stuff. There’s a larger 10.25-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Mazda also swapped out the older USB ports for USB-C ones, and the overall cabin quality remains a strong point — tight panel gaps, smooth textures, and that signature minimalist feel that Mazda’s been perfecting lately.

It’s still built around the brand’s Jinba-Ittai principle — the idea of driver and car moving as one — and it shows in how the interior feels properly tailored for the person behind the wheel. Every control falls right where you expect it to be, and nothing feels overdesigned or forced.

Powering the 1.5L  High Plus is the familiar SkyActiv-G 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox. It’s not a fire-breather, but it’s tuned for smooth, predictable performance — just enough to make city driving easy and highway cruising comfortable. Those who want more grunt can still opt for the 2.0L variants, which continue unchanged.

Safety upgraded

Where things get more interesting is safety. The Mazda3 1.5L High Plus comes with a full suite of i-Activsense features — Adaptive Front Lighting, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Smart Brake Support (front and rear), Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Traffic Support, among others. There are also nine airbags, stability control, traction control, and all the essentials you’d expect at this level.

Pricing and Warranty

Fully imported from Japan, the Mazda3 1.5L High Plus is priced at RM118,900, available in both sedan and liftback body styles. Buyers can pick from a familiar palette of seven colours, including Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, and Polymetal Gray.

Every purchase includes a five-year manufacturer warranty and five-year free maintenance package (covering parts, labour, and lubricants, up to 100,000 km), giving owners a bit of extra reassurance.

The Mazda3 1.5L High Plus feels far from basic. The added equipment closes the gap to its pricier 2.0-litre siblings while keeping the same solid build quality and timeless design that made it one of the best-looking cars in its segment.

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