Verdict
The RM6,460 gap takes you from a compact three-door, four-seat Suzuki into a seven-seat Mazda with 209 litres of boot space against 85 litres. The CX-8’s 192 hp and 258 Nm also substantially exceed the Jimny’s 100 hp and 130 Nm, while its 2,930 mm wheelbase is 680 mm longer. But the Jimny uses 6.8 L/100 km versus 7.9 L/100 km, has part-time four-wheel drive with low range, and costs RM120 a year in road tax against RM830. Choose by mission: people and luggage, or compact off-road hardware.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if you need seven seats, a 209-litre boot and much stronger 192 hp/258 Nm performance.
Pick the Suzuki Jimny if low-range part-time four-wheel drive, a 3,480 mm body and RM120 annual road tax matter more than passenger and cargo capacity.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-8 RM165,360; Suzuki Jimny RM158,900.
- Power and torque: Mazda CX-8 192 hp/258 Nm; Suzuki Jimny 100 hp/130 Nm.
- Fuel economy: Mazda CX-8 7.9 L/100 km; Suzuki Jimny 6.8 L/100 km.
- Size: Mazda CX-8 is 4,900 mm long with a 2,930 mm wheelbase; Suzuki Jimny is 3,480 mm long with a 2,250 mm wheelbase.
- Seating and boot space: Mazda CX-8 has 7 seats/209 litres; Suzuki Jimny has 4 seats/85 litres.
- Driveline: Mazda CX-8 front-wheel drive; Suzuki Jimny part-time four-wheel drive with low range.
CX-8
- Seven seats and a 209-litre boot
- 192 hp and 258 Nm from a 2.5-litre engine
- Dual-zone front and rear automatic air-conditioning
- Uses 7.9 L/100 km versus the Jimny’s 6.8 L/100 km
- Front-wheel drive lacks the Jimny’s low-range four-wheel-drive system
- RM830 annual road tax versus RM120
Jimny
- Part-time four-wheel drive with low range and hill descent control
- 6.8 L/100 km rated economy
- Full-size 15-inch alloy spare tyre
- Four seats and an 85-litre boot, versus seven seats and 209 litres
- 100 hp and 130 Nm are well behind the CX-8’s 192 hp and 258 Nm
- No rear air-conditioning, reverse camera or parking sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM165,360 | RM158,900✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 1,462 cc |
| Horsepower | 192 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 100 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 258 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ | 130 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 89 mm × 100 mm | 74 mm × 85 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode | 4AT |
| Gears | 6 | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | 6.8 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 140 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 154 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,900 mm | 3,480 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,645 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,250 mm |
| Weight | 1,781 kg | 1,435 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 3 |
| Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 209 litres✓ | 85 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R19 | 195/80R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R19 | 195/80R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 15" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes R46 | Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 All-terrain |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Front Wheels | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy | 15" Grey Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy | 15" Grey Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Recirculating Ball (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | Part-time Four-wheel Drive with Low Range |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 3 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available on Rear Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Hill Descent Control |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Bulb |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Lumbar Adjustment and Memory Function | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 2nd Row USB, 2 3rd Row USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Rear |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8" Touchscreen, Commander Control Knob, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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 CX-8 & Jimny for sale
CX-8 vs Jimny FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-8 or Suzuki Jimny better?
The CX-8 is better for carrying people and luggage, with seven seats and 209 litres of boot space. The Jimny is the better fit for low-range four-wheel-drive use and lower running costs, returning 6.8 L/100 km with RM120 annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-8 costs RM6,460 more than the Suzuki Jimny. That extra outlay brings three more seats, 124 litres more boot space, a 2.5-litre engine and six-speed automatic transmission.
Which is easier to park in town?
The Suzuki Jimny is far shorter at 3,480 mm against 4,900 mm for the CX-8, and 195 mm narrower at 1,645 mm versus 1,840 mm. The CX-8 counters with front and rear parking sensors plus a reverse camera.
