Verdict
These similarly priced CBU Japanese cars serve completely different Malaysian buyers. The RM610 gap is negligible, but the CX-80 brings six seats, all-wheel drive and a 17.8-kWh plug-in hybrid battery with 65 km of EV range; it suits a household able to charge regularly. At 2,342 kg, it is 1,051 kg heavier than the GR86. The Toyota is the focused choice for a driver who wants a 234-hp naturally aspirated engine, six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and limited-slip differential. Its 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time underlines that brief.
Pick the Mazda CX-80 if you need six seats, 65 km of electric driving range and extensive family-focused equipment.
Pick the Toyota GR86 if you want a lighter 1,291-kg coupe with a 234-hp engine, manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-80 RM296,610; Toyota GR86 RM296,000.
- Electrified system: CX-80 has one 172-hp motor, a 17.8-kWh battery and 65 km EV range; GR86 has no motor, battery or EV range.
- Engine output: CX-80’s 2,488-cc petrol engine makes 189 hp and 261 Nm; GR86’s 2,387-cc engine makes 234 hp and 250 Nm.
- Transmission and drive: CX-80 uses an 8-speed automatic with all-wheel drive; GR86 uses a 6-speed manual with rear-wheel drive.
- Weight: CX-80 is 2,342 kg; GR86 is 1,291 kg.
- Practicality: CX-80 has 6 seats and 258 litres of boot space; GR86 has 4 seats and 226 litres.
CX-80
- Six seats, five doors and a 258-litre boot.
- 65 km EV range from a 17.8-kWh plug-in hybrid battery.
- Powered heated and ventilated front seats, 360-degree camera and autonomous braking.
- 2,342 kg versus the GR86’s 1,291 kg.
- Its petrol engine makes 189 hp, against the GR86’s 234 hp.
- Costs RM610 more and annual road tax is RM830 versus RM767.
GR86
- 234-hp naturally aspirated engine and 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and rear limited-slip differential.
- Lower RM296,000 price and RM767 annual road tax.
- Only four seats and two doors, versus the CX-80’s six seats and five doors.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or collision warning.
- No rear air-conditioning, powered front seats or 360-degree camera.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM296,610 | RM296,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Coupe |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM767✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and plug-in hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 189 hp at 6,000 rpm | 234 hp at 7,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 261 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ | 250 Nm at 3,700 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 89 mm × 100 mm | 94 mm × 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 172 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 270 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 17.8 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 65 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.2 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Toyota |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 226 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,995 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,120 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 2,342 kg | 1,291 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 258 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Rear Limited Slip Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 6 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for second row seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Headlamps |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Heating, Ventilation and Memory Function | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Individual Captain Seat Middle Row with Heating & Ventilation, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | Foldable |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Middle, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Screen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 12-speaker Bose Sound System | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Driver and Passenger One Touch Auto Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 150,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000-km Free Service, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
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-80 & GR86 for sale
CX-80 vs GR86 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-80 or Toyota GR86 better?
The CX-80 is better for carrying people and covering regular short trips electrically, with six seats and 65 km EV range. The GR86 is better for a driver seeking a manual, rear-wheel-drive coupe with 234 hp and a limited-slip differential.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-80 costs RM296,610 and the Toyota GR86 costs RM296,000, so the CX-80 is RM610 more expensive. Its annual road tax is also RM63 higher: RM830 against RM767.
Which car is more practical for a family?
The Mazda CX-80 is decisively more practical: it has five doors, six seats, rear climate control and a 258-litre boot. The GR86 is a two-door four-seater with a 226-litre boot.
