Verdict
At RM213,123, the 2.2D High Plus 2WD is the sharper buy for most Malaysian families. It saves RM8,237, uses a rated 5.7 L/100 km against 7.9 L/100 km, produces 450 Nm rather than 420 Nm and carries RM593 annual road tax versus RM830. The 2.5 Turbo’s case is its 228 hp, 40 hp ahead of the diesel’s 188 hp. Yet both carry the same six-seat cabin, safety systems and convenience kit, while the specification lists front-wheel drive for both despite the petrol variant’s AWD name.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 2.2D High Plus 2WD if lower purchase cost, 5.7 L/100 km rated economy and 450 Nm matter more than an extra 40 hp.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 2.5 Turbo High Plus AWD if you specifically want its 228 hp petrol engine and accept RM8,237 more upfront, 7.9 L/100 km rated economy and RM830 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: RM213,123 vs RM221,360
- Engine output: 188 hp and 450 Nm vs 228 hp and 420 Nm
- Engine capacity: 2,191 cc diesel vs 2,488 cc petrol
- Rated economy: 5.7 L/100 km vs 7.9 L/100 km
- Annual road tax: RM593 vs RM830
- Kerb weight: 1,858 kg vs 1,896 kg
2.2D High Plus 2WD
- RM8,237 lower purchase price
- 450 Nm torque, versus 420 Nm
- 5.7 L/100 km rated economy and RM593 road tax
- 188 hp, 40 hp down on the petrol
- Diesel fuel rather than petrol
2.5 Turbo High Plus AWD
- 228 hp, 40 hp more than the diesel
- Petrol engine
- Matches the diesel's six-seat layout, safety kit and cabin equipment
- RM8,237 higher purchase price
- 420 Nm, 30 Nm less torque than the diesel
- 7.9 L/100 km rated economy and RM830 annual road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM213,123✓ | RM221,360 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM593✓ | RM830 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger, Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,191 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp | 228 hp✓ |
| Torque | 450 Nm✓ | 420 Nm |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 86 mm | 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode | SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.7 L/100 km✓ | 7.9 L/100 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,900 mm | 4,900 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,930 mm |
| Weight | 1,858 kg | 1,896 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 74 litres | 74 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Boot Space | 209 litres | 209 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R19 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R19 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes R46 | Toyo Proxes R46 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" 10-spoke Grey Alloy | 19" 10-spoke Grey Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" 10-spoke Grey Alloy | 19" 10-spoke Grey Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 | 6 Three-point | 6 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2nd Row Seats | Available on 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Cross Traffic Detection (from 4 km/h) | Yes, with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Cross Traffic Detection (from 4 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Reverse AEB | Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Reverse AEB |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Automatic High Beam | Adaptive LED Projector with Automatic High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated and Ventilated, with Driver's Side Lumbar Adjustment and Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated and Ventilated, with Driver's Side Lumbar Adjustment and Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-Folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row with Heating and Ventilation, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row | 50:50 Split-Folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row with Heating and Ventilation, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | 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 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 2nd Row USB, 2 3rd Row USB |
| Interior Lighting | LED Map Lights and Footwell Lights | LED Map Lights and Footwell Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual Rear Door Window Sun Shades | Manual Rear Door Window Sun Shades |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8" Touchscreen, Commander Control Knob, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8" Touchscreen, Commander Control Knob, Voice Control, Wireless 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 with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | 360-degree Camera | 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | 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 cars for sale
2.2D High Plus 2WD vs 2.5 Turbo High Plus AWD FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-8 2.2D High Plus 2WD or Mazda CX-8 2.5 Turbo High Plus AWD better?
The 2.2D High Plus 2WD is better value: it is cheaper, has a lower 5.7 L/100 km rated consumption figure, more torque at 450 Nm and lower road tax. Choose the 2.5 Turbo only for its 228 hp petrol output.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-8 2.5 Turbo High Plus AWD costs RM8,237 more than the Mazda CX-8 2.2D High Plus 2WD.
Does the 2.5 Turbo High Plus AWD have more equipment or all-wheel drive?
The listed safety, cabin and convenience equipment is the same on both variants. The specification also lists front-wheel drive for both, so confirm the drivetrain with the selling dealer if AWD is essential.
