Verdict
At RM123,800 against RM134,469, the GAC Emkoo costs RM10,669 less yet brings 175 hp and 270 Nm versus the Mazda CX-5’s 162 hp and 213 Nm. Its 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.6 seconds quicker, while the 638-litre boot gives families 196 litres more luggage room. The Emkoo also cuts annual road tax from RM439 to RM120 and adds autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The CX-5 counters with dual-zone climate control, navigation and a more versatile 40:20:40 rear bench.
Pick the GAC Emkoo if you want the lower RM120 annual road tax, stronger 270 Nm turbo output, a 638-litre boot and a far fuller active-safety package.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if dual-zone air-con, built-in navigation and a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat matter more than outright performance and boot capacity.
Key differences
- Price: GAC Emkoo RM123,800; Mazda CX-5 RM134,469.
- Performance: GAC Emkoo 175 hp/270 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 8.8 seconds; Mazda CX-5 162 hp/213 Nm and 10.4 seconds.
- Boot space: GAC Emkoo 638 litres; Mazda CX-5 442 litres.
- Road tax: GAC Emkoo RM120 per year; Mazda CX-5 RM439 per year.
- Driver assistance: GAC Emkoo has autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist; Mazda CX-5 has none of these.
- Front climate control: GAC Emkoo single-zone automatic; Mazda CX-5 dual-zone automatic.
Emkoo
- 175 hp and 270 Nm, with an 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 638-litre boot and 2,750 mm wheelbase.
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
- Single-zone automatic climate control versus the CX-5’s dual-zone system.
- No built-in navigation, while the CX-5 has it.
- 60:40 rear seat split is less flexible than the CX-5’s 40:20:40 arrangement.
CX-5
- Dual-zone automatic climate control and built-in navigation.
- 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
- Four USB ports, versus the Emkoo’s three USB ports.
- RM10,669 more expensive and RM439 annual road tax versus RM120.
- 162 hp, 213 Nm and a 10.4-second 0-100 km/h time trail the Emkoo’s 175 hp, 270 Nm and 8.8 seconds.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM123,800✓ | RM134,469 |
| 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 at 5,500 rpm✓ | 162 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 270 Nm at 1,400 rpm✓ | 213 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7DCT | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift and Sport mode |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds✓ | 10.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h✓ | 176 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,680 mm | 4,550 mm |
| Width | 1,901 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,675 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,540 kg | 1,588 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 56 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 638 litres✓ | 442 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Continental CrossContact LX Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| 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 passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilated Driver's Seat | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Manual Recline | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 4 USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| 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 | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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 | — |
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-5 for sale
Emkoo vs CX-5 FAQ
Is the GAC Emkoo or Mazda CX-5 better?
The GAC Emkoo is the stronger buy for performance, luggage capacity, annual road tax and driver assistance. Choose the Mazda CX-5 only if its dual-zone climate control, navigation and 40:20:40 rear-seat layout are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-5 costs RM10,669 more than the GAC Emkoo.
Which has more boot space, the GAC Emkoo or Mazda CX-5?
The GAC Emkoo has the larger boot at 638 litres, 196 litres more than the Mazda CX-5’s 442 litres.
