Verdict
The Mazda CX-8 costs RM14,999 less yet brings seven seats, a 192 hp/258 Nm 2.5-litre petrol engine and a 2,930 mm wheelbase. That is the practical choice for Malaysian families who will use the third row, although its 209-litre boot is tight with all seats up and it uses 7.9 L/100 km. The Mazda 6 Sedan is the better fit for five occupants: its 489-litre boot and 5.7 L/100 km rating make more sense for regular commuting and luggage, but it gives up 29 hp and two seats.
Pick the Mazda 6 Sedan if five seats, a 489-litre boot and the lower 5.7 L/100 km fuel rating matter more than SUV space.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if you need seven seats, a sliding and reclining second row, and the stronger 192 hp 2.5-litre petrol engine.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 6 Sedan RM180,359; Mazda CX-8 RM165,360
- Power and torque: Mazda 6 Sedan 163 hp/213 Nm; Mazda CX-8 192 hp/258 Nm
- Rated fuel economy: Mazda 6 Sedan 5.7 L/100 km; Mazda CX-8 7.9 L/100 km
- Seating and boot space: Mazda 6 Sedan 5 seats/489 litres; Mazda CX-8 7 seats/209 litres
- Dimensions: Mazda 6 Sedan 4,865 mm long/2,830 mm wheelbase; Mazda CX-8 4,900 mm/2,930 mm
- Annual road tax: Mazda 6 Sedan RM379; Mazda CX-8 RM830
6 Sedan
- Lower 5.7 L/100 km rated fuel use
- 489-litre boot for five-seat use
- Blind Spot Info System and paddle shifts
- Only five seats versus the CX-8's seven
- 163 hp and 213 Nm trail the CX-8's 192 hp and 258 Nm
- No rear automatic climate control or third-row USB ports
CX-8
- Seven seats with sliding, reclining second row
- 192 hp and 258 Nm 2.5-litre petrol engine
- Rear single-zone automatic air-con and USB ports for all three rows
- 7.9 L/100 km rated consumption versus 5.7 L/100 km
- 209-litre boot is 280 litres smaller than the Mazda 6 Sedan's
- RM830 annual road tax versus RM379
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM180,359 | RM165,360✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 163 hp | 192 hp✓ |
| Torque | 213 Nm | 258 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode | SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.5 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 5.7 L/100 km✓ | 7.9 L/100 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,865 mm | 4,900 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,450 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,830 mm | 2,930 mm |
| Weight | 1,393 kg | 1,781 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 62 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 489 litres✓ | 209 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R17 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R17 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Toyo Proxes R46 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front 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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable 8-way Driver's Seat with Memory, Power Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | 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 Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 front | 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 | MZD Connect Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Radio, CD, MP3, AUX, USB and Bluetooth, 6 speakers | 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 Push Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000-km Free Service | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM830 |
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 6 Sedan & CX-8 for sale
6 Sedan vs CX-8 FAQ
Is the Mazda 6 Sedan or Mazda CX-8 better?
The CX-8 is better for families needing seven seats and a stronger 192 hp engine. The Mazda 6 Sedan is better for five-seat use, with a far larger 489-litre boot and a 5.7 L/100 km fuel rating.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-8 is RM14,999 cheaper: it costs RM165,360, against RM180,359 for the Mazda 6 Sedan.
Which has more usable cargo space?
The Mazda 6 Sedan does, with a 489-litre boot against 209 litres in the CX-8. The CX-8 gains two extra seats, but its luggage room is much tighter when configured for seven.