Verdict
The diesel CX-8 is the rational Malaysian buy. It costs RM8,237 less, uses a rated 5.7 L/100 km against 7.9 L/100 km, and delivers 450 Nm at 2,000 rpm versus the petrol’s 420 Nm. The pricier petrol CX-8 answers with 228 hp, a 40 hp advantage over the diesel’s 188 hp, but annual road tax rises from RM593 to RM830. Both retain the same six-seat cabin, six airbags, 360-degree camera and comprehensive driver assistance kit, so the extra outlay is for the petrol powertrain rather than more equipment.
2.2D High Plus 2WD
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if lower purchase cost, RM593 annual road tax, 450 Nm and 5.7 L/100 km matter most.
2.5 Turbo High Plus AWD
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if you want the stronger 228 hp petrol engine and accept 7.9 L/100 km plus RM830 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: RM213,123 versus RM221,360.
- Road tax per year: RM593 versus RM830.
- Engine capacity and fuel: 2,191 cc diesel versus 2,488 cc petrol.
- Power and torque: 188 hp and 450 Nm versus 228 hp and 420 Nm.
- Rated fuel economy: 5.7 L/100 km versus 7.9 L/100 km.
- Kerb weight: 1,858 kg versus 1,896 kg.
2.2D High Plus 2WD
- RM8,237 lower purchase price.
- 450 Nm at 2,000 rpm, 30 Nm more.
- Rated at 5.7 L/100 km and RM593 yearly road tax.
- 188 hp is 40 hp down on the petrol CX-8.
2.5 Turbo High Plus AWD
- 228 hp at 5,000 rpm, 40 hp more than the diesel.
- Same six-seat layout, 360-degree camera and driver assistance kit as the diesel.
- Same heated and ventilated front and second-row seats as the diesel.
- Costs RM8,237 more.
- Rated fuel economy is 7.9 L/100 km versus 5.7 L/100 km.
- RM830 annual road tax is RM237 higher, while torque is 420 Nm versus 450 Nm.
| 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 at 4,500 rpm | 228 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 450 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ | 420 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 86 mm × 94.3 mm | 89 mm × 100 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 | 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 | 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 or Mazda CX-8 better?
The diesel CX-8 is better value, with lower price, road tax and rated fuel use, plus 450 Nm. Choose the petrol CX-8 only if its 228 hp output matters more than those running-cost advantages.
What is the price difference?
The petrol CX-8 costs RM8,237 more than the diesel CX-8: RM221,360 against RM213,123.
Does the pricier Mazda CX-8 get more safety or convenience equipment?
No. Both get six airbags, autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, a 360-degree camera, head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus heated and ventilated front and second-row seats.
