Verdict
The iCaur 03 is the sharper buy on specification: it costs RM14,729 less, cuts annual road tax from RM439 to RM140, and brings a 65.69-kWh battery rated for 426 km. Its 181-hp, 220-Nm rear motor is only 0.1 seconds behind the CX-5’s 162-hp petrol four-cylinder to 100 km/h, while the 450-litre boot is marginally larger. The Mazda counters with a 176-km/h top speed, a space-saver spare and 40:20:40 rear seats, but its safety and cabin equipment list is much thinner.
Pick the iCaur 03 if you want EV running costs, 426 km of claimed range and a far richer safety and comfort kit for less money.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if you need petrol refuelling, a 56-litre tank, 176 km/h top speed and a space-saver spare tyre.
Key differences
- Price: iCaur 03 RM119,740; Mazda CX-5 RM134,469.
- Powertrain: iCaur 03 181 hp/220 Nm electric motor; Mazda CX-5 162 hp/213 Nm 1,998-cc petrol engine.
- Range/fuel storage: iCaur 03 65.69-kWh battery and 426 km EV range; Mazda CX-5 56-litre fuel tank.
- Performance: iCaur 03 0-100 km/h in 10.5 sec and 150 km/h; Mazda CX-5 10.4 sec and 176 km/h.
- Dimensions/boot: iCaur 03 4,406 mm long and 450 litres; Mazda CX-5 4,550 mm and 442 litres.
- Warranty: iCaur 03 7 years/150,000 km; Mazda CX-5 5 years/100,000 km.
03
- RM14,729 cheaper with RM140 annual road tax.
- 426-km claimed EV range, plus 80-kW DC charging and 3.2-kW V2L.
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and 360-degree camera.
- 150-km/h top speed trails the CX-5’s 176 km/h.
- At 1,775 kg, it is 187 kg heavier than the CX-5.
- No spare tyre is listed, while the CX-5 gets a space-saver.
CX-5
- 176-km/h top speed and a 56-litre petrol tank.
- 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats and a space-saver spare tyre.
- Lighter 1,588-kg kerb weight.
- Costs RM14,729 more and annual road tax is RM299 higher.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or blind-spot information system is listed.
- Manual front seats, no sunroof and an 8.0-inch six-speaker audio system trail the iCaur’s equipment.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,740✓ | RM134,469 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM140✓ | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 162 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 213 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 13 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 220 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 65.69 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 426 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 80 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.2 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift and Sport mode |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.5 seconds | 10.4 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 150 km/h | 176 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,406 mm | 4,550 mm |
| Width | 1,910 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,715 mm | 1,675 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,715 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,775 kg | 1,588 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 56 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 450 litres✓ | 442 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | GitiControl P10 | Continental CrossContact LX Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) | 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 outer two 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 Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Ventilation | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 4 USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity Sound System | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | 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 | Remote Control Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Power battery 10-yr/200,000 km; drive unit and HV components 10-yr/200,000 km; one-to-one battery replacement below 60% health | — |
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 03 & CX-5 for sale
03 vs CX-5 FAQ
Is the iCaur 03 or Mazda CX-5 better?
The iCaur 03 is better for equipment, lower purchase and road-tax costs, and EV driving, with 426 km claimed range. Choose the Mazda CX-5 only if petrol refuelling, its 176-km/h top speed or a spare tyre matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-5 costs RM14,729 more than the iCaur 03: RM134,469 versus RM119,740.
Which has more boot space?
The iCaur 03 has the larger quoted boot at 450 litres, 8 litres more than the Mazda CX-5’s 442 litres. The Mazda instead provides a more flexible 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat, versus 60:40 in the iCaur.
