Verdict
At RM325,800, the BMW X3 costs RM29,190 more than the RM296,610 Mazda CX-80, but it earns its keep for buyers who need the 570-litre boot, 310 Nm and 8.5-second 0-100 km/h claim. The CX-80 is the family-first choice: it has six seats, a 3,120-mm wheelbase and a 17.8-kWh plug-in-hybrid battery with 65 km of EV range. Its 258-litre boot is seriously compromised, though, while annual road tax is RM830 against the X3’s RM439. Pick based on daily use, not size alone.
X3
Pick the BMW X3 if you need a 570-litre boot, 310 Nm and automatic parking more than a third row or plug-in charging.
CX-80
Pick the Mazda CX-80 if six seats, 65 km of EV range and a five-year/100,000-km warranty matter more than luggage volume.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X3 RM325,800; Mazda CX-80 RM296,610.
- Engine: X3 1,998 cc, 188 hp and 310 Nm; CX-80 2,488 cc, 189 hp and 261 Nm.
- Length and wheelbase: X3 4,755 mm and 2,865 mm; CX-80 4,995 mm and 3,120 mm.
- Seating and boot: X3 five seats and 570 litres; CX-80 six seats and 258 litres.
- Annual road tax: X3 RM439; CX-80 RM830.
- Manufacturer warranty: X3 two years with unlimited mileage; CX-80 five years/100,000 km.
X3
- 570-litre boot versus the CX-80’s 258 litres.
- 310 Nm turbo engine and quoted 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Auto parking with six parking sensors front and rear.
- Five seats against the CX-80’s six.
- No quoted EV-only range; the CX-80 provides 65 km.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years for the Mazda.
CX-80
- 17.8-kWh plug-in-hybrid battery, 172-hp motor and 65 km EV range.
- Six-seat cabin with heated and ventilated front seats and middle-row captain seats.
- Five-year/100,000-km warranty, plus five-year/100,000-km free service and an eight-year/160,000-km battery warranty.
- 258-litre boot versus the X3’s 570 litres.
- RM830 annual road tax versus the X3’s RM439.
- Four front and rear parking sensors and no auto parking; the X3 gets six sensors at each end and auto parking.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM325,800 | RM296,610✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM830 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and plug-in hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp | 189 hp✓ |
| Torque | 310 Nm✓ | 261 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | — | 89 mm |
| 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 | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic | — |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm | 4,995 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 3,120 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,342 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 6 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres✓ | 258 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R19 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R19 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags | 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 | 6 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for second row seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| 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 Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Heating, Ventilation and Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Individual Captain Seat Middle Row with Heating & Ventilation, 50:50 Split-folding Last 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 |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Middle, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 6 Speaker | 12.3" Infotainment Screen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 12-speaker Bose Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 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 X3 & CX-80 for sale
X3 vs CX-80 FAQ
Is the BMW X3 or Mazda CX-80 better?
The X3 is better for carrying luggage, with 570 litres of boot space and 310 Nm. The CX-80 is better for six occupants and plug-in running, with a 65 km EV range, but its 258-litre boot is far smaller.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X3 costs RM29,190 more than the Mazda CX-80.
Can the Mazda CX-80 run on electricity alone?
Yes. The CX-80 is a plug-in hybrid with a 17.8-kWh battery, one 172-hp electric motor and a quoted EV range of 65 km. It supports AC charging at up to 7.2 kW.