Verdict
These two suit rather different Malaysian family duties. The Mazda CX-8 is the proper people mover, with seven seats, a 2.5-litre 192 hp/258 Nm petrol engine and a 2,930 mm wheelbase. But its quoted boot space is just 209 litres, against the Hyundai Tucson’s 582 litres. The five-seat Tucson is lighter at 1,488 kg versus 1,781 kg, and its eight-year/160,000 km warranty beats the Mazda’s five-year/100,000 km cover. Choose by passenger count first; that is the decisive split here.
Pick the Hyundai Tucson if you need a five-seat SUV with a much larger 582-litre boot and longer eight-year/160,000 km warranty.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if carrying up to seven people, stronger 192 hp/258 Nm output and a more flexible three-row cabin matter most.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Tucson RM143,888; Mazda CX-8 RM165,360.
- Seating: Hyundai Tucson 5 seats; Mazda CX-8 7 seats.
- Output: Hyundai Tucson 154 hp and 192 Nm; Mazda CX-8 192 hp and 258 Nm.
- Length and wheelbase: Hyundai Tucson 4,630 mm and 2,755 mm; Mazda CX-8 4,900 mm and 2,930 mm.
- Boot space: Hyundai Tucson 582 litres; Mazda CX-8 209 litres.
- Warranty: Hyundai Tucson 8 years/160,000 km; Mazda CX-8 5 years/100,000 km.
Tucson
- 582-litre boot is 373 litres larger.
- Eight-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- 12.3-inch curved widescreen with navigation and wireless charging.
- Only five seats versus the CX-8’s seven.
- 154 hp and 192 Nm trail the CX-8’s 192 hp and 258 Nm.
CX-8
- Seven-seat cabin with sliding, reclining second-row seats and a folding third row.
- Power front seats with driver memory and lumbar adjustment.
- Powered contactless boot operation and single-zone rear automatic climate control.
- RM21,472 dearer to buy.
- RM830 annual road tax versus RM440 for the Tucson.
- 209-litre boot is far smaller than the Tucson’s 582 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM143,888✓ | RM165,360 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440✓ | RM830 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 154 hp | 192 hp✓ |
| Torque | 192 Nm | 258 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 7.9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 181 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,630 mm | 4,900 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,665 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,755 mm | 2,930 mm |
| Weight | 1,488 kg | 1,781 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 54 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 582 litres✓ | 209 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R17 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R17 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Toyo Proxes R46 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear 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 | 5 Three Point | 7 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row Seats | Available on 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Lumbar Adjustment and Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 60:40 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 2nd Row USB, 2 3rd Row USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 12.3" Curved Widescreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8" Touchscreen, Commander Control Knob, Voice Control, 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 Entry (Push Button 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 | — | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 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 Tucson & CX-8 for sale
Tucson vs CX-8 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Tucson or Mazda CX-8 better?
The CX-8 is better for seven-seat family transport, stronger output and a longer 2,930 mm wheelbase. The Tucson is better if five seats are enough, because it has a 582-litre boot and longer eight-year/160,000 km warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-8 costs RM165,360 and the Hyundai Tucson costs RM143,888, so the CX-8 is RM21,472 more expensive.
Which has more useful luggage space?
The Hyundai Tucson has the larger quoted boot at 582 litres. The Mazda CX-8 has 209 litres, but adds a third row for a total of seven seats.