Verdict
At RM134,469, the Mazda CX-5 costs RM10,331 less than the RM144,800 Toyota Corolla yet brings a larger 1,998 cc petrol engine with 162 hp and 213 Nm, against 137 hp and 172 Nm. Its SUV body is 240 mm taller and has a 56-litre tank, but the Corolla sedan is 80 mm longer and carries 470 litres of luggage to the Mazda’s 442 litres. The Toyota’s adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, 360-degree camera and listed five-star ratings make it the more safety-focused commuter. Choose the Mazda for power, SUV seating height and lower entry cost; choose the Corolla for driver assistance and boot space.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if you want RM10,331 in savings, 162 hp and 213 Nm, plus an SUV body with a 56-litre fuel tank.
Pick the Toyota Corolla if adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, a 360-degree camera and a 470-litre boot matter more than outright power.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-5 RM134,469; Toyota Corolla RM144,800.
- Output: Mazda CX-5 162 hp and 213 Nm; Toyota Corolla 137 hp and 172 Nm.
- Body height and length: Mazda CX-5 1,675 mm tall and 4,550 mm long; Toyota Corolla 1,435 mm tall and 4,630 mm long.
- Boot space: Mazda CX-5 442 litres; Toyota Corolla 470 litres.
- Fuel tank and road tax: Mazda CX-5 56 litres and RM439/year; Toyota Corolla 50 litres and RM279/year.
- Driver assistance: Mazda CX-5 has passive cruise control; Toyota Corolla has adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go.
CX-5
- RM10,331 lower purchase price.
- 162 hp and 213 Nm from a 1,998 cc engine.
- Four USB ports and a wireless charger.
- 442-litre boot is 28 litres smaller.
- No front parking sensors or 360-degree camera.
- Passive cruise control lacks the Corolla’s adaptive stop-and-go function.
Corolla
- 470-litre boot.
- Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go.
- 360-degree camera, front parking sensors and an eight-way power driver’s seat.
- Costs RM10,331 more.
- 137 hp and 172 Nm trail the Mazda’s 162 hp and 213 Nm.
- Has one front power socket, versus the Mazda’s four USB ports and wireless charger.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM134,469✓ | RM144,800 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM279✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 162 hp✓ | 137 hp |
| Torque | 213 Nm✓ | 172 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift and Sport mode | 7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.4 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 176 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,550 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Height | 1,675 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,588 kg | 1,365 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 442 litres | 470 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/65R17 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/65R17 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Continental CrossContact LX Sport | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| 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 | 9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| 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 Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| 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 Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
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 & Corolla for sale
CX-5 vs Corolla FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-5 or Toyota Corolla better?
The CX-5 is the stronger-value choice for power and SUV practicality, with 162 hp, 213 Nm and a lower RM134,469 price. The Corolla is better equipped for assisted commuting, with adaptive cruise control, steering assist, stop-and-go and a 360-degree camera.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-5 costs RM134,469 and the Toyota Corolla costs RM144,800, so the Corolla costs RM10,331 more.
Which has the larger boot?
The Toyota Corolla has the larger boot at 470 litres, 28 litres more than the Mazda CX-5’s 442 litres. The Mazda counters with a 56-litre fuel tank, compared with the Toyota’s 50 litres.