Verdict
The GAC Emkoo is the stronger practical case: its 175 hp/270 Nm 1.5-litre turbo, 638-litre boot and 2,750 mm wheelbase give it materially more muscle and room than the Mazda CX-30’s 162 hp/213 Nm, 430 litres and 2,655 mm. It also gets autonomous braking, steering lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control, where the CX-30 has none of those listed. The Mazda counters with a 99 kg lighter kerb weight, 6.4 L/100 km rating and a driver’s knee airbag. For Malaysian family use, the Emkoo’s RM120 annual road tax against RM439 matters.
Pick the GAC Emkoo if you want the bigger 638-litre boot, stronger 175 hp turbo engine and a fuller active-safety suite.
Pick the Mazda CX-30 if you prioritise its 6.4 L/100 km fuel-consumption rating, lower 1,441 kg weight and driver’s knee airbag.
Key differences
- Power: GAC Emkoo 175 hp; Mazda CX-30 162 hp
- Torque: GAC Emkoo 270 Nm; Mazda CX-30 213 Nm
- Length: GAC Emkoo 4,680 mm; Mazda CX-30 4,395 mm
- Boot space: GAC Emkoo 638 litres; Mazda CX-30 430 litres
- Manufacturer warranty mileage: GAC Emkoo 150,000 km; Mazda CX-30 100,000 km
- Annual road tax: GAC Emkoo RM120; Mazda CX-30 RM439
Emkoo
- 175 hp and 270 Nm from its 1.5-litre turbo engine
- 638-litre boot and 2,750 mm wheelbase
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control
- Heavier at 1,540 kg versus the CX-30’s 1,441 kg
- 190 km/h top speed versus 196 km/h
- No auto start/stop listed, while the CX-30 gets it
CX-30
- Rated fuel economy of 6.4 L/100 km
- Driver’s knee airbag in addition to the front, side and curtain airbags
- Lighter 1,441 kg kerb weight and 196 km/h top speed
- 430-litre boot is 208 litres smaller than the Emkoo’s
- 162 hp and 213 Nm trail the Emkoo’s 175 hp and 270 Nm
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM123,800 | RM122,409✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,497 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 175 hp✓ | 162 hp |
| Torque | 270 Nm✓ | 213 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7DCT | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 196 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,680 mm | 4,395 mm |
| Width | 1,901 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,655 mm |
| Weight | 1,540 kg | 1,441 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 638 litres✓ | 430 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 215/65R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 215/65R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE51 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Emergency Stop Signal |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilated Driver's Seat | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Manual Recline | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered with Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 7" TFT LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 7 Year, 180,000 km Powertrain Warranty | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Emkoo & CX-30 for sale
Emkoo vs CX-30 FAQ
Is the GAC Emkoo or Mazda CX-30 better?
The GAC Emkoo is the better choice for space, power and driver-assistance equipment. Choose the Mazda CX-30 if its 6.4 L/100 km rating, lower weight and extra driver’s knee airbag matter more than boot capacity and active safety tech.
What is the price difference?
The GAC Emkoo costs RM123,800, which is RM1,391 more than the Mazda CX-30 at RM122,409.
Which SUV has the larger boot?
The GAC Emkoo has the larger boot at 638 litres, compared with 430 litres in the Mazda CX-30. That is a 208-litre advantage for the Emkoo.
