Mazda CX-8 vs Proton X90
Verdict
The Mazda CX-8 costs RM165,360 against the Proton X90’s RM106,800, so the gap is a serious RM58,560. For that, the Mazda gets a larger 2,488 cc petrol engine with 192 hp, a longer 2,930 mm wheelbase and a 72-litre tank, plus a stated 7.9 L/100 km figure. The Proton hits back with 290 Nm, a wider and taller body, a bigger 257-litre boot and far cheaper RM120 road tax. Both are CKD, front-wheel-drive, seven-seat D-segment SUVs with six airbags and five-year warranties.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if you want the longer wheelbase, bigger engine, conventional automatic and a published fuel-consumption figure.
Pick the Proton X90 if you want the lower buy-in, stronger torque, bigger boot and much lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Engine: Mazda CX-8 2,488 cc; Proton X90 1,499 cc
- Output: Mazda CX-8 192 hp and 258 Nm; Proton X90 178 hp and 290 Nm
- Transmission: Mazda CX-8 conventional automatic; Proton X90 wet dual-clutch automatic
- Size: Mazda CX-8 4,900 mm long and 1,840 mm wide; Proton X90 4,830 mm long and 1,900 mm wide
- Wheelbase: Mazda CX-8 2,930 mm; Proton X90 2,805 mm
- Boot and tank: Mazda CX-8 209 L boot and 72 L tank; Proton X90 257 L boot and 60 L tank
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 165,360 | RM 106,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 2,488 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Power | 192 hp✓ | 178 hp |
| Torque | 258 Nm | 290 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 7.9 L/100km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,900 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,764 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,805 mm |
| Boot space | 209 L | 257 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 72 L | 60 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | — | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 830 | 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-8
- More power at 192 hp
- Longer 2,930 mm wheelbase
- Larger 72-litre fuel tank
- Costs much more to buy
- RM830 annual road tax is high beside the Proton’s RM120
- Smaller 209-litre boot
X90
- Stronger 290 Nm torque figure
- Bigger 257-litre boot
- Lower RM120 annual road tax
- Less power at 178 hp
- Shorter 2,805 mm wheelbase
- Smaller 60-litre fuel tank
CX-8 vs X90 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-8 or Proton X90 better?
Neither wins cleanly. The Mazda CX-8 has more power, a longer wheelbase and a bigger fuel tank. The Proton X90 costs far less, has more torque, more boot space and much cheaper road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-8 is RM58,560 more expensive than the Proton X90. That extra spend mainly aligns with the larger engine, longer wheelbase, conventional automatic and bigger fuel tank.
Which has more space on paper?
The Mazda CX-8 is longer and has the longer wheelbase, at 4,900 mm and 2,930 mm. The Proton X90 is wider, taller and has the larger boot, at 1,900 mm, 1,764 mm and 257 litres.