Mazda CX-5 vs Suzuki Swift Sport
Verdict
This is really family SUV against junior hot hatch. The Mazda CX-5 costs RM3,569 more, but it buys a much larger C-segment body, 442 litres of boot space, a 56-litre tank, rear air vents and a five-year warranty. The Suzuki Swift Sport counters with the numbers keen drivers feel first: 970 kg, 230 Nm, 0-100 km/h in 8.0 seconds and a 205 km/h top speed. For Malaysian daily use, the Mazda is the easier family answer; the Suzuki is the sharper, cheaper-to-tax fun car.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if you need SUV space, rear-seat comfort, a bigger boot and the longer five-year warranty.
Pick the Suzuki Swift Sport if you want the quicker, lighter car with turbo torque and far lower RM70 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-5 RM134,469; Suzuki Swift Sport RM130,900
- 0-100 km/h: Mazda CX-5 10.4 seconds; Suzuki Swift Sport 8.0 seconds
- Power and torque: Mazda CX-5 162 hp/213 Nm; Suzuki Swift Sport 140 hp/230 Nm
- Boot space: Mazda CX-5 442 litres; Suzuki Swift Sport 265 litres
- Kerb weight: Mazda CX-5 1,588 kg; Suzuki Swift Sport 970 kg
- Warranty: Mazda CX-5 5 years/100,000 km; Suzuki Swift Sport 3 years/100,000 km
CX-5
- Much larger cabin footprint and 442-litre boot
- Dual-zone climate control with rear air vents
- Longer five-year/100,000 km warranty
- Slower to 100 km/h: 10.4 seconds versus 8.0 seconds
- Heavier by 618 kg
- Higher annual road tax: RM439 versus RM70
Swift Sport
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time and higher 205 km/h top speed
- Turbocharged 1.4 makes more torque: 230 Nm versus 213 Nm
- Much lighter at 970 kg
- Smaller 265-litre boot
- Shorter three-year/100,000 km warranty
- No rear air vents and only one front power socket
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 134,469 | RM 130,900✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,373 cc |
| Horsepower | 162 hp✓ | 140 hp |
| Torque | 213 Nm | 230 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 9.9 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift and Sport mode | 6AT |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.4 seconds | 8 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 176 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,550 mm | 3,890 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,675 mm | 1,495 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,450 mm |
| Weight | 1,588 kg | 970 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 37 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 442 litres✓ | 265 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/65R17 | 195/50R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/65R17 | 195/50R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental CrossContact LX Sport | Yokohama Advan A13C |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Driver and Front Passenger |
| 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 | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable, Driver's seat height adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Front Cabin Light |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers | 7.0" Touchscreen Radio DVD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth, Navigation and 6 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| 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 | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 439 | RM 70✓ |
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-5 vs Swift Sport FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-5 or Suzuki Swift Sport better?
For family use, the Mazda CX-5 is better: it has the larger body, 442-litre boot, rear air vents and five-year warranty. For driving pace, the Suzuki Swift Sport is better with an 8.0-second 0-100 km/h time and 970 kg kerb weight.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-5 is RM3,569 more expensive, at RM134,469 against the Suzuki Swift Sport’s RM130,900.
Which is cheaper to run on road tax?
The Suzuki Swift Sport is much cheaper on annual road tax at RM70. The Mazda CX-5 costs RM439 a year, reflecting its larger 1,998 cc engine versus the Suzuki’s 1,373 cc turbo engine.