Verdict
The Leapmotor C10 costs RM129,000, undercutting the RM165,360 Mazda CX-8 by RM36,360, and its RM200 annual road tax is far below RM830. Its 69.9-kWh battery delivers a 420-km range, plus 215 hp and 320 Nm, while seven airbags, autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction add useful safety hardware. The Mazda counters with seven seats and a longer 2,930-mm wheelbase; its sliding, reclining second row and third row make it the proper family carrier. Choose based on charging access versus the need to carry more than five.
The CX-8 2.5 Turbo High Plus AWD (RM221,360) sits above every C10 variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the Leapmotor C10 if you can charge regularly and want lower purchase and road-tax costs, 420 km of EV range and active safety aids in a five-seat SUV.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if seven seats, a sliding and reclining second row, and a petrol-powered long-distance family SUV matter more than the RM36,360 saving.
Key differences
- Price: Leapmotor C10 RM129,000; Mazda CX-8 RM165,360.
- Road tax: Leapmotor C10 RM200 per year; Mazda CX-8 RM830 per year.
- Power and torque: Leapmotor C10 215 hp and 320 Nm; Mazda CX-8 192 hp and 258 Nm.
- Seating and boot space: Leapmotor C10 five seats and 435 litres; Mazda CX-8 seven seats and 209 litres.
- Length and wheelbase: Leapmotor C10 4,739 mm and 2,825 mm; Mazda CX-8 4,900 mm and 2,930 mm.
- Kerb weight: Leapmotor C10 1,980 kg; Mazda CX-8 1,781 kg.
C10
- RM36,360 cheaper to buy, with RM200 annual road tax.
- 69.9-kWh battery, 420-km range, 11-kW AC and 84-kW DC charging.
- Seven airbags, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping steering correction.
- Five seats versus the CX-8's seven.
- Heavier at 1,980 kg versus 1,781 kg.
- Tyre repair kit instead of the CX-8's space-saver spare.
CX-8
- Seven seats with a sliding, reclining second row and 50:50-split third row.
- 72-litre petrol tank and rated consumption of 7.9 L/100 km.
- Front parking sensors, driver memory and lumbar adjustment, plus a space-saver spare.
- Costs RM36,360 more and has RM830 annual road tax versus RM200.
- Lower outputs at 192 hp and 258 Nm versus 215 hp and 320 Nm.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot information system or lane-keeping assist listed.
What the C10 has over the CX-8
What the CX-8 has over the C10
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The CX-8's wheelbase is 105 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The C10 is 60 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the C10: 435 litres against 209.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM129,000✓ | RM165,360 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM200✓ | RM830 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,315/mo✓ | RM1,690/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,602✓ | RM4,646 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,479✓ | RM3,144 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM7.39✓ | RM15.72 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM26,403✓ | RM43,103 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 6.4 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 60 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 192 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 258 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 89 mm × 100 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 13 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 215 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 320 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 69.9 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 420 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 84 kW | — |
| V2L | 1.7 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,739 mm | 4,900 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,680 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,825 mm | 2,930 mm |
| Weight | 1,980 kg | 1,781 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres✓ | 209 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R20 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R20 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop e-Sport Maxx | Toyo Proxes R46 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 16 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain and Far Side) | 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 | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Front Passenger Powered Seats, Front Seat Ventilation | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Lumbar Adjustment and Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 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 |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 2nd Row USB, 2 3rd Row USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Satellite Navigation, WiFi built-in, 12-speaker Surround Sound System | 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 & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation (NFC Card) | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Active Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Year/160,000 km BEV Warranty, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used C10 & CX-8 for sale
Our reviews & guides
Leapmotor C10
Mazda CX-8
C10 vs CX-8 FAQ
Is the Leapmotor C10 or Mazda CX-8 better?
The C10 is the better buy for an electrified five-seat SUV with lower upfront and road-tax costs. The CX-8 is better if your household regularly needs seven seats and a usable third row.
What is the price difference?
The Leapmotor C10 is RM36,360 cheaper than the Mazda CX-8. It also carries RM630 less annual road tax: RM200 versus RM830.
Which SUV is better for a large family?
The Mazda CX-8 is the clear choice for a large family because it has seven seats, a sliding and reclining second row, and a 50:50-split third row. The Leapmotor C10 has five seats.
How long does charging take?
The C10's 69.9 kWh battery takes about 6.4 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 60 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 84 kW peak.
Which has the better warranty?
The C10 carries a 6-year manufacturer warranty against 5 years for the CX-8. C10: 8 Year/160,000 km BEV Warranty, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty. CX-8: 5-year/100,000 km Free Service.