Verdict
The RM34,531 cheaper Mazda CX-5 is the more rational petrol SUV: it has a 442-litre boot, a 56-litre tank and a five-year/100,000-km warranty. But the smart #1 changes the pace dramatically, with 268 hp, 343 Nm and a 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time against the Mazda’s 162 hp, 213 Nm and 10.4 seconds. For a Malaysian buyer able to charge, the #1’s 49-kWh battery, 315-km range and 150-kW DC charging are backed by a far fuller active-safety suite. The CX-5 costs less; the smart feels much newer on equipment.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if you want to spend RM34,531 less, need the larger 442-litre boot and prefer petrol refuelling with a 56-litre tank.
Pick the smart #1 if you can charge an EV and want 268 hp, 315 km of stated range, 150-kW DC charging and active safety including front and rear autonomous braking.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-5 RM134,469; smart #1 RM169,000.
- Performance: Mazda CX-5 162 hp, 213 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 10.4 seconds; smart #1 268 hp, 343 Nm and 6.7 seconds.
- Energy: Mazda CX-5 has a 56-litre petrol tank; smart #1 has a 49-kWh battery and 315-km EV range.
- Charging: Mazda CX-5 has no charging rate; smart #1 supports 7.2-kW AC and 150-kW DC charging.
- Boot space: Mazda CX-5 442 litres; smart #1 411 litres.
- Wheelbase: Mazda CX-5 2,700 mm; smart #1 2,750 mm.
CX-5
- RM34,531 cheaper purchase price.
- 442-litre boot, 31 litres larger.
- Five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- 0-100 km/h takes 10.4 seconds versus the smart #1’s 6.7 seconds.
- No listed autonomous braking, blind-spot system or adaptive cruise control.
- 162 hp and 213 Nm trail the smart #1’s 268 hp and 343 Nm.
#1
- 268 hp and 343 Nm with a 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 49-kWh battery, 315-km range and 150-kW DC charging.
- Front and rear autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with Highway and Traffic Jam Assist.
- Costs RM34,531 more.
- 411-litre boot is 31 litres smaller.
- Four-year manufacturer warranty is one year shorter than the Mazda’s five-year cover.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM134,469✓ | RM169,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM260✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 162 hp | — |
| Torque | 213 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 268 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 343 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 49 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 315 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7.2 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift and Sport mode | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.4 seconds | 6.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 176 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,550 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,822 mm |
| Height | 1,675 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,750 mm |
| Weight | 1,588 kg | 1,780 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 442 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/65R17 | 235/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/65R17 | 235/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental CrossContact LX Sport | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Amps Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Amps Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| 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 passenger seats | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Door Opening Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High Beam, |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 10-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Powered Front Passenger's Seat |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 3 USB-C, 1 USB-A, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights, 64-colour Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Yes |
| Audio | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Yes, Powered |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | 200,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 8 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 CX-5 & #1 for sale
CX-5 vs #1 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-5 or smart #1 better?
The smart #1 is better for EV driving, performance and driver assistance, delivering 268 hp and 6.7-second acceleration. The Mazda CX-5 is better if purchase price, a 442-litre boot and petrol refuelling matter more.
What is the price difference?
The smart #1 costs RM34,531 more than the Mazda CX-5: RM169,000 versus RM134,469.
Can the smart #1 charge quickly?
Yes. The smart #1 supports up to 150 kW DC charging and 7.2 kW AC charging. Its battery is rated at 49 kWh and its stated EV range is 315 km.