Verdict
The Mazda CX-8 costs RM165,360 against the Proton X90’s RM106,800, a RM58,560 gap that brings a 2,930-mm wheelbase, 192 hp and powered front seats with driver memory. But the X90 counters with 290 Nm from its 1.5-litre turbo, a larger 257-litre boot and RM120 annual road tax versus RM830. Both are locally assembled front-wheel-drive seven-seat SUVs with six airbags, so the Proton is the rational family buy; choose the Mazda for its longer cabin footprint and richer driver-seat and parking equipment.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if you want the longer 2,930-mm wheelbase, 192 hp and powered front seats with driver memory.
Pick the Proton X90 if you want to spend RM58,560 less, carry 48 litres more behind the third row and get 290 Nm of torque.
Key differences
- Engine output: Mazda CX-8 192 hp and 258 Nm; Proton X90 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- Transmission: Mazda CX-8 six-speed conventional automatic; Proton X90 seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic.
- Wheelbase: Mazda CX-8 2,930 mm; Proton X90 2,805 mm.
- Boot space: Mazda CX-8 209 litres; Proton X90 257 litres.
- Annual road tax: Mazda CX-8 RM830; Proton X90 RM120.
- Front parking sensors: Mazda CX-8 four sensors; Proton X90 none.
CX-8
- 192 hp, 14 hp more than the X90
- 2,930-mm wheelbase, 125 mm longer
- Powered front seats with driver lumbar adjustment and memory
- RM58,560 higher purchase price
- RM830 annual road tax versus RM120
- 209-litre boot is 48 litres smaller
X90
- 290 Nm, 32 Nm more torque than the CX-8
- 257-litre boot behind the third row
- 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 178 hp is 14 hp down on the CX-8
- 2,805-mm wheelbase is 125 mm shorter
- Manual-adjust front seats and no front parking sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM165,360 | RM106,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 192 hp✓ | 178 hp |
| Torque | 258 Nm | 290 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 89 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode | — |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | — |
| 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 |
| Weight | 1,781 kg | 1,695 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 209 litres | 257 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes R46 | Giti Control P10 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| 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 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 | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available on two middle row passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Lumbar Adjustment and Memory Function | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents with Blower control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 2nd Row USB, 2 3rd Row USB | 1 Front, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Second Row, 2 USB Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Back Row |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8" Touchscreen, Commander Control Knob, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 12.3" Touchscreen Atlas OS Infotainment System with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | — |
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-8 & X90 for sale
CX-8 vs X90 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-8 or Proton X90 better?
The Proton X90 is the stronger value choice, with more torque, a 257-litre boot and much lower road tax. The Mazda CX-8 is better suited to buyers who prioritise its 192 hp output, longer wheelbase and powered front seats.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-8 costs RM58,560 more than the Proton X90. That is a substantial gap, especially when the X90 also has lower annual road tax by RM710.
Which has more cargo space?
The Proton X90 has the larger boot at 257 litres, compared with 209 litres in the Mazda CX-8. That 48-litre advantage matters when all seven seats are occupied.