Verdict
The Mazda BT-50 is the work-minded choice: its 3.0-litre diesel produces 450 Nm and drives all four wheels, versus the CX-8’s 258 Nm and front-wheel drive. Yet the CX-8 makes more sense for a large family, seating seven rather than five and measuring 380 mm shorter for tighter Malaysian parking. It also has rear single-zone automatic climate control and a 209-litre boot, while annual road tax is RM830 against RM1,638. The BT-50 counters with Smart City Brake Support, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.
Pick the Mazda BT-50 if you need 450 Nm diesel torque, all-wheel drive and its extra active-safety equipment in a five-seat pickup.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if you need seven seats, a shorter 4,900 mm body and much lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda BT-50 RM140,418; Mazda CX-8 RM165,360
- Torque: Mazda BT-50 450 Nm; Mazda CX-8 258 Nm
- Driveline: Mazda BT-50 all-wheel drive; Mazda CX-8 front-wheel drive
- Seating: Mazda BT-50 5 seats; Mazda CX-8 7 seats
- Length: Mazda BT-50 5,280 mm; Mazda CX-8 4,900 mm
- Annual road tax: Mazda BT-50 RM1,638; Mazda CX-8 RM830
BT-50
- 450 Nm from a 3.0-litre diesel
- All-wheel drive and full-size alloy spare wheel
- Smart City Brake Support, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring
- Five seats versus the CX-8's seven
- RM1,638 annual road tax versus RM830
- Leaf-spring rear suspension versus the CX-8's multi-link rear
CX-8
- Seven seats with sliding, reclining second-row seats
- 7.9 L/100 km rated economy
- Powered contactless tailgate and rear single-zone automatic climate control
- 258 Nm versus the BT-50's 450 Nm
- Front-wheel drive versus the BT-50's all-wheel drive
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot information system or adaptive cruise control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM140,418✓ | RM165,360 |
| Body type | Pickup | SUV |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,638 | RM830✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,999 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp | 192 hp✓ |
| Torque | 450 Nm✓ | 258 Nm |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 95.4 mm | 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16.3 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6AT | SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 7.9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,280 mm | 4,900 mm |
| Width | 1,870 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,810 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,930 mm |
| Weight | 2,015 kg | 1,781 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | — | 209 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/60R18 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/60R18 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Alloy | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop AT25 Grandtrek | Toyo Proxes R46 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic 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's Knee | 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 |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Lumbar Adjustment and Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | Folding Bench with Tip-up Under-seat Storage | 60:40 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 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 | 9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 8 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, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | 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 |
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 BT-50 & CX-8 for sale
BT-50 vs CX-8 FAQ
Is the Mazda BT-50 or Mazda CX-8 better?
The CX-8 is better for seven-seat family transport, lower RM830 annual road tax and a shorter body. Choose the BT-50 for its 450 Nm diesel, all-wheel drive and stronger active-safety suite.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-8 costs RM24,942 more than the Mazda BT-50: RM165,360 versus RM140,418.
Which one has more passenger space?
The CX-8 has seven seats, including a 60:40 split-folding, sliding and reclining second row plus a 50:50 split-folding third row. The BT-50 has five seats and a folding rear bench.