Verdict
The RM2,609 gap is small, but these SUVs suit different routines. The Aion Y Plus brings a 63.2 kWh battery, 430 km EV range and RM160 annual road tax, against the CX-30’s 1,998 cc petrol engine, 6.4 L/100 km rated economy and RM439 road tax. It is also 140 mm longer with a 95 mm longer wheelbase, yet its 405-litre boot trails the Mazda’s 430 litres. The CX-30 counters with a driver’s knee airbag, head-up display and powered tailgate; the Aion answers with 201 hp, 225 Nm and an eight-year/160,000 km vehicle warranty.
Pick the Aion Y Plus if you want 430 km of stated EV range, lower RM160 annual road tax and a larger 4,535 mm body for less money.
Pick the Mazda CX-30 if you want the 430-litre boot, driver’s knee airbag, head-up display and powered tailgate.
Key differences
- Price: Aion Y Plus RM119,800; Mazda CX-30 RM122,409
- Powertrain: Aion Y Plus 201 hp/225 Nm electric motor; Mazda CX-30 162 hp/213 Nm 1,998 cc petrol engine
- Energy use: Aion Y Plus 63.2 kWh battery and 430 km range; Mazda CX-30 6.4 L/100 km rated economy and 51-litre tank
- Road tax: Aion Y Plus RM160/year; Mazda CX-30 RM439/year
- Size: Aion Y Plus 4,535 mm long with 2,750 mm wheelbase; Mazda CX-30 4,395 mm with 2,655 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Aion Y Plus 405 litres; Mazda CX-30 430 litres
Y Plus
- 430 km stated EV range from a 63.2 kWh battery
- 201 hp and 225 Nm electric motor
- Eight-year/160,000 km vehicle warranty and RM160 annual road tax
- 405-litre boot is 25 litres smaller than the Mazda’s
- No driver’s knee airbag, head-up display or powered tailgate
- No auto wipers
CX-30
- 430-litre boot
- Driver’s knee airbag, head-up display and powered tailgate
- Auto wipers and walk-away auto lock
- Costs RM2,609 more
- RM439 annual road tax is RM279 higher
- Five-year/100,000 km warranty is shorter than the Aion’s eight-year/160,000 km cover
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,800✓ | RM122,409 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 162 hp |
| Torque | — | 213 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 13 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 225 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 63.2 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 430 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 80 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 196 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,535 mm | 4,395 mm |
| Width | 1,870 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,650 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,655 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,441 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 405 litres | 430 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 215/65R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 215/65R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Chao Yang SU318a H/T | Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE51 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and 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 | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Emergency Stop Signal |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver Seat, Manual Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Six-Speaker Bongiovi Sound System | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Powered with Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 7" TFT LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Year, 200,000 km Warranty (Battery) | 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 Y Plus & CX-30 for sale
Y Plus vs CX-30 FAQ
Is the Aion Y Plus or Mazda CX-30 better?
The Aion Y Plus is the better fit for EV range, lower RM160 annual road tax and a larger body. Choose the Mazda CX-30 for its 430-litre boot, driver’s knee airbag, head-up display and powered tailgate.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-30 costs RM2,609 more than the Aion Y Plus: RM122,409 versus RM119,800.
Which costs less in annual road tax?
The Aion Y Plus costs RM160 a year in road tax, while the Mazda CX-30 costs RM439. The EV saves RM279 annually.