Mazda CX-8 vs smart #1
Verdict
These two solve different Malaysian family problems. The Mazda CX-8 is the bigger, seven-seat petrol SUV: 4,900 mm long, 2,930 mm wheelbase, 192 hp/258 Nm, 7.9 L/100 km and a 72-litre tank. The smart #1 costs RM3,640 more at RM169,000, but trades size for EV punch: 268 hp/343 Nm, rear-wheel drive, 6.7 seconds to 100 km/h, 315 km range and 150 kW DC charging. If you regularly use all rows, Mazda. If five seats are enough, smart brings far stronger safety and cabin tech.
CX-8
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if you need seven seats, a larger D-segment body and petrol range with a 72-litre tank.
#1
Pick the smart #1 if five seats are enough and you want quicker EV performance, lower road tax and more driver-assist kit.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-8 RM165,360; smart #1 RM169,000
- Powertrain output: Mazda CX-8 192 hp/258 Nm petrol; smart #1 268 hp/343 Nm electric motor
- Seats: Mazda CX-8 7; smart #1 5
- Size: Mazda CX-8 4,900 mm long with 2,930 mm wheelbase; smart #1 4,270 mm long with 2,750 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Mazda CX-8 209 litres; smart #1 411 litres
- Road tax: Mazda CX-8 RM830/year; smart #1 RM260/year
CX-8
- Seven seats versus the smart #1’s five
- Much longer body and wheelbase for family use
- 72-litre fuel tank and 7.9 L/100 km rated economy
- Lower output than the smart #1, at 192 hp/258 Nm versus 268 hp/343 Nm
- Higher road tax, RM830/year versus RM260/year
- No listed blind spot monitor, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
#1
- Stronger motor output and 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- 315 km EV range with 150 kW DC charging
- Adds 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control and auto parking
- Five seats only, against the Mazda CX-8’s seven
- Shorter and from a lower segment: B-segment versus D-segment
- No space-saver spare tyre listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 165,360✓ | RM 169,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | — |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 192 hp | — |
| Torque | 258 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 89 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 268 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 343 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) |
| Battery Capacity | — | 49 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 315 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7.2 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,900 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,822 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,750 mm |
| Weight | 1,781 kg | 1,780 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 209 litres | 411 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R19 | 235/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R19 | 235/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes R46 | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy | 19" Amps Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy | 19" Amps Alloy Wheels |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | 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 | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer 2nd Row 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 | All Seats | 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 | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Lumbar Adjustment and Memory Function | 10-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Powered Front Passenger's Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row | 60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 2nd Row USB, 2 3rd Row USB | 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 | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8" Touchscreen, Commander Control Knob, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| 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 (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | 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 | Powered with Contactless Operation | Yes, Powered |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| 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 | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 830 | RM 260✓ |
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 vs #1 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-8 or smart #1 better?
The Mazda CX-8 is better for seven-seat family use. The smart #1 is better if you only need five seats and want EV performance, stronger driver assists and lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The smart #1 is RM3,640 more expensive. The Mazda CX-8 is RM165,360, while the smart #1 is RM169,000.
Which one has the bigger boot?
The smart #1 has the larger stated boot at 411 litres, while the Mazda CX-8 is listed at 209 litres. The Mazda’s advantage is seating, with seven seats instead of five.