Verdict
The Mazda CX-8 costs RM165,360 against the Suzuki Jimny’s RM158,900, so the gap is only RM6,460, but these SUVs do very different jobs. The Mazda is the family car: 7 seats, a 2,930 mm wheelbase, 192 hp and a 5-year/100,000 km warranty. The Jimny is smaller, simpler and more off-road-biased, with 4 seats, a ladder-frame chassis, part-time 4WD with low range and a full-size spare. It also has the lower rated fuel use at 6.8 L/100 km and road tax of RM120, versus RM830 for the Mazda.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if you need seven seats, stronger performance and far more daily-use equipment for family duty.
Pick the Suzuki Jimny if you want a compact 4x4 with low range, simple dimensions and lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-8 RM165,360; Suzuki Jimny RM158,900
- Engine output: Mazda CX-8 192 hp/258 Nm; Suzuki Jimny 100 hp/130 Nm
- Driveline: Mazda CX-8 front-wheel drive; Suzuki Jimny all-wheel drive with part-time 4WD and low range
- Size: Mazda CX-8 4,900 mm long/2,930 mm wheelbase; Suzuki Jimny 3,480 mm long/2,250 mm wheelbase
- Seats and boot: Mazda CX-8 7 seats/209 litres; Suzuki Jimny 4 seats/85 litres
- Warranty: Mazda CX-8 5 years/100,000 km with free service; Suzuki Jimny 3 years/100,000 km
CX-8
- Seven seats and a much bigger cabin footprint
- 192 hp and 258 Nm give it a clear power advantage
- Rear air-con, powered tailgate, parking sensors and reverse camera are included
- No all-wheel drive or low range, unlike the Jimny
- Higher rated fuel use at 7.9 L/100 km versus 6.8 L/100 km
- Road tax is RM830 a year versus RM120
Jimny
- Part-time 4WD with low range, ladder-frame chassis and solid axles
- Shorter 3,480 mm body is much easier to place than the 4,900 mm Mazda
- Full-size 15-inch alloy spare and all-terrain tyres
- Only 4 seats, 3 doors and 85 litres of boot space
- Much lower output at 100 hp and 130 Nm
- No reverse camera, parking sensors, rear air-con or telescopic steering
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 165,360 | RM 158,900✓ |
| 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 | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 1,462 cc |
| Horsepower | 192 hp✓ | 100 hp |
| Torque | 258 Nm✓ | 130 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 89 mm | 74 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode | 4AT |
| Gears | 6 | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | 6.8 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 140 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 154 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,900 mm | 3,480 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,645 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,250 mm |
| Weight | 1,781 kg | 1,435 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 3 |
| Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 209 litres✓ | 85 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R19 | 195/80R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R19 | 195/80R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 15" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes R46 | Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 All-terrain |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Ladder-frame |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Front Wheels | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy | 15" Grey Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy | 15" Grey Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Solid Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Drum |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Recirculating Ball (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | Part-time Four-wheel Drive with Low Range |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 3 stars — With 6 Airbags and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available on Rear Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Hill Descent Control |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Bulb |
| 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 | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 2nd Row USB, 2 3rd Row USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Rear |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8" Touchscreen, Commander Control Knob, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 7" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and 2 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Remote Control Activation |
| 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 | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | — |
| Ownership | ||
| 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 vs Jimny FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-8 or Suzuki Jimny better?
The Mazda CX-8 is better for family use, comfort and performance. The Suzuki Jimny is better if you specifically want a small 4x4 with low range. They are close on price, but not in purpose.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-8 is RM6,460 more expensive than the Suzuki Jimny. That extra money buys seven seats, more power, more equipment and a longer 5-year warranty.
Which is cheaper to run?
On rated figures, the Suzuki Jimny uses less fuel at 6.8 L/100 km versus 7.9 L/100 km. Its annual road tax is also far lower at RM120, compared with RM830 for the Mazda CX-8.