Verdict
The Omoda Jaecoo C9 is the stronger on-paper choice for five-seat buyers: its 257 hp and 400 Nm turbo 2.0-litre motor comfortably beat the CX-8’s 192 hp and 258 Nm, while its 660-litre boot is far larger than 209 litres. It also brings 20-inch wheels, a 12.3-inch screen, 360-degree camera and active safety assistance. But the Mazda CX-8’s 2,930 mm wheelbase, seven seats and sliding, reclining second row make more sense for Malaysian families who regularly carry more than five people.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo C9 if you want 257 hp, 400 Nm, a 660-litre boot and a fuller active-safety suite in a five-seat SUV.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if you need seven seats, a 2,930 mm wheelbase and a more flexible second- and third-row cabin.
Key differences
- Power and torque: Omoda Jaecoo C9 257 hp and 400 Nm; Mazda CX-8 192 hp and 258 Nm.
- Seating: Omoda Jaecoo C9 has 5 seats; Mazda CX-8 has 7 seats.
- Boot space: Omoda Jaecoo C9 has 660 litres; Mazda CX-8 has 209 litres.
- Wheelbase: Omoda Jaecoo C9 measures 2,800 mm; Mazda CX-8 measures 2,930 mm.
- Transmission: Omoda Jaecoo C9 uses an 8-speed automatic; Mazda CX-8 uses a 6-speed automatic.
- Warranty: Omoda Jaecoo C9 gets 7 years/150,000 km; Mazda CX-8 gets 5 years/100,000 km.
C9
- 257 hp and 400 Nm from the turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine.
- 360-degree camera, autonomous braking, blind-spot warning and lane-keeping steering correction.
- 660-litre boot and 7-year/150,000 km warranty.
- Only five seats versus the CX-8’s seven.
- 2,800 mm wheelbase is 130 mm shorter than the CX-8’s.
- 65-litre fuel tank is 7 litres smaller than the CX-8’s.
CX-8
- Seven seats with a sliding and reclining second row plus a 50:50-folding third row.
- 2,930 mm wheelbase and 72-litre fuel tank.
- 5-year/100,000 km free service.
- 192 hp and 258 Nm trail the C9’s 257 hp and 400 Nm.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot information system or lane-keeping assist.
- 209-litre boot is much smaller than the C9’s 660 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM168,800 | RM165,360✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM830 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 257 hp✓ | 192 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 258 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 7.9 L/100 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,775 mm | 4,900 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,671 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,800 mm | 2,930 mm |
| Weight | 1,786 kg | 1,781 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 660 litres✓ | 209 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R20 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R20 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Toyo Proxes R46 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear seats | Available on 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver & Front Passenger Powered Seats with Seat Ventilation | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Lumbar Adjustment and Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear, 2 Wireless Chargers | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 2nd Row USB, 2 3rd Row USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade | — |
| Audio | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Eight Speaker Sound System | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8" Touchscreen, Commander Control Knob, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, 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 | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | 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 | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 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 C9 & CX-8 for sale
C9 vs CX-8 FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo C9 or Mazda CX-8 better?
The Omoda Jaecoo C9 is better for five occupants wanting stronger performance, a 660-litre boot and more driver assistance. The Mazda CX-8 is better if seven seats and its more versatile rear seating are non-negotiable.
What is the price difference?
The Omoda Jaecoo C9 costs RM168,800, which is RM3,440 more than the Mazda CX-8 at RM165,360.
Which SUV is better for a larger family?
The Mazda CX-8 is the clear family choice if you need to carry up to seven people. It has seven three-point seat belts, a sliding and reclining second row, and a 50:50-folding third row; the C9 seats five.
