Verdict
The CX-8 is the more practical Malaysian family car: RM22,640 less buys seven seats, a 2,930 mm wheelbase, rear air-conditioning and a 72-litre petrol tank. The eVitara changes the running-cost equation with a 61.1 kWh battery, 426 km range and RM120 annual road tax against RM830. It also has autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and a 306-litre boot, versus 209 litres for the Mazda. But it seats five only and has no rear air-conditioning. Choose space and seven-seat flexibility, or electric running and active safety.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if you need seven seats, rear air-conditioning and a much longer 4,900 mm body for family duties.
Pick the Suzuki eVitara if five seats are enough and you want 426 km EV range, RM120 road tax and autonomous braking.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-8 RM165,360; Suzuki eVitara RM188,000.
- Seating and boot space: CX-8 has 7 seats and 209 litres; eVitara has 5 seats and 306 litres.
- Powertrain: CX-8 has a 2,488 cc 192 hp/258 Nm petrol engine; eVitara has one 172 hp/193 Nm electric motor.
- Road tax: CX-8 RM830 per year; eVitara RM120 per year.
- Length and wheelbase: CX-8 is 4,900 mm and 2,930 mm; eVitara is 4,275 mm and 2,700 mm.
- Driver assistance: CX-8 has no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist; eVitara has autonomous braking and steering correction lane-keeping assist.
CX-8
- RM22,640 lower purchase price
- Seven seats with sliding, reclining second-row seats
- Rear air-conditioning and 72-litre fuel tank
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or blind-spot monitoring
- RM830 annual road tax versus RM120
- 209-litre boot is smaller than the eVitara's 306 litres
eVitara
- 426 km EV range from a 61.1 kWh battery
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control
- 306-litre boot and 360-degree camera
- Five seats versus the CX-8's seven
- RM22,640 higher purchase price
- No rear air-conditioning
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM165,360✓ | RM188,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 192 hp | — |
| Torque | 258 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 89 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 172 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 193 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 61.1 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 426 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 67 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 | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | — | 150 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,900 mm | 4,275 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,781 kg | 1,788 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 209 litres | 306 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes R46 | MRF Wanderer Ecotred |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | India (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-links |
| 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, 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 | 7 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Lumbar Adjustment and Memory Function | 10-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, 4-way Power Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Sunroof | — | Front Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 2nd Row USB, 2 3rd Row USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8" Touchscreen, Commander Control Knob, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Infinity Sound System |
| 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | 5-year/100,000 km BEV Components Warranty, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & eVitara for sale
CX-8 vs eVitara FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-8 or Suzuki eVitara better?
The CX-8 is better for seven-seat family transport, with rear air-conditioning and a 2,930 mm wheelbase. The eVitara is better for EV driving, active safety and a larger 306-litre boot, provided five seats suffice.
What is the price difference?
The Suzuki eVitara costs RM22,640 more than the Mazda CX-8: RM188,000 versus RM165,360.
How fast can the Suzuki eVitara charge?
The eVitara accepts AC charging at up to 7 kW and DC charging at up to 67 kW. Its 61.1 kWh battery is covered for eight years or 160,000 km.