Mazda CX-30 vs MG ZS EV
Verdict
At RM128,409 against RM126,629, this is a surprisingly tight petrol-versus-EV fight. The Mazda CX-30 is the larger-class car on paper and has a longer 2,655 mm wheelbase, a 196 km/h top speed, head-up display and powered tailgate. The MG ZS EV answers with 174 hp/280 Nm from one motor, 320 km range, 50 kW DC charging, a bigger 448-litre boot and much more driver assistance, including AEB, blind spot monitoring, lane steering and adaptive cruise. The RM1,780 gap is too small to decide it; daily charging access matters more.
Pick the Mazda CX-30 if you want a petrol SUV with the longer 2,655 mm wheelbase, higher 196 km/h top speed, head-up display and powered tailgate.
Pick the MG ZS EV if you can charge at home or work and want 174 hp/280 Nm electric drive, 320 km range and stronger active safety kit.
Key differences
- Powertrain: Mazda CX-30 has a 2.0 litre petrol engine with 162 hp/213 Nm; MG ZS EV has one electric motor with 174 hp/280 Nm
- Energy use: Mazda CX-30 is rated at 6.4 L/100 km with a 51 litre tank; MG ZS EV has a 51.1 kWh battery and 320 km range
- Charging: Mazda CX-30 does not need EV charging; MG ZS EV supports 7 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging
- Size: Mazda CX-30 measures 4,395 mm long with a 2,655 mm wheelbase; MG ZS EV measures 4,323 mm long with a 2,585 mm wheelbase
- Boot: Mazda CX-30 has 430 litres; MG ZS EV has 448 litres
- Road tax: Mazda CX-30 is RM439 a year; MG ZS EV is RM120 a year
CX-30
- Longer wheelbase than the MG ZS EV, at 2,655 mm versus 2,585 mm
- Higher top speed, at 196 km/h versus 170 km/h
- Gets a head-up display, powered tailgate and space-saver spare wheel
- Less power and torque than the MG ZS EV, at 162 hp/213 Nm versus 174 hp/280 Nm
- Smaller boot, at 430 litres versus 448 litres
- Misses the MG ZS EV’s AEB, blind spot monitoring, lane steering and adaptive cruise control
ZS EV
- Stronger outputs, with 174 hp and 280 Nm from its electric motor
- 320 km EV range, with 7 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging
- Gets more driver assistance, including AEB, blind spot monitoring, lane steering and adaptive cruise control
- Shorter wheelbase than the Mazda CX-30, at 2,585 mm versus 2,655 mm
- Lower top speed, at 170 km/h versus 196 km/h
- Has a tyre repair kit instead of the Mazda CX-30’s space-saver spare wheel
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 128,409 | RM 126,629✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | — |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 162 hp | — |
| Torque | 213 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 174 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 280 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 51.1 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 320 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 50 kW |
| V2L | — | 2.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 6.4 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h✓ | 170 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,395 mm | 4,323 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,809 mm |
| Height | 1,540 mm | 1,625 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,655 mm | 2,585 mm |
| Weight | 1,441 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 430 litres | 448 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/65R16 | 215/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/65R16 | 215/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE51 | Michelin Primacy 3 ST |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Seats | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Powered Driver Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 4 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | 7" TFT LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | 8-year/150,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 439 | RM 120✓ |
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.
CX-30 vs ZS EV FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-30 or MG ZS EV better?
The MG ZS EV is better for low-speed urban use, EV running and safety assists. The Mazda CX-30 suits buyers who want petrol convenience, a longer wheelbase, higher top speed, head-up display and powered tailgate.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-30 costs RM1,780 more than the MG ZS EV. The gap is small, so the decision should hinge more on charging access, petrol versus electric use and equipment priorities.
Which one has more safety assistance?
The MG ZS EV has more active safety kit, with AEB, blind spot monitoring, lane steering, collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The Mazda CX-30 has seven airbags including a driver’s knee airbag, but lacks those listed assists.