Verdict
The Mazda CX-8 costs RM25,300 less at RM165,360, yet its 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine makes 192 hp and 258 Nm against the Tayron’s 148 hp and 250 Nm. The Volkswagen answers with much lower RM120 annual road tax versus RM830, a 345-litre boot instead of 209 litres, and a far stronger active-safety suite including autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and steering correction. Its 1.5-litre 48V mild-hybrid turbo and seven-speed DSG are not a full hybrid system, but the Tayron is better equipped for the money if safety tech and luggage space matter most.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if you want the lower RM165,360 entry price, 192 hp 2.5-litre engine and five-year/100,000 km free-service cover.
Pick the Volkswagen Tayron if you prioritise active safety, a 345-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and RM120 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-8 RM165,360; Volkswagen Tayron RM190,660.
- Power and torque: CX-8 192 hp/258 Nm; Tayron 148 hp/250 Nm.
- Road tax: CX-8 RM830 per year; Tayron RM120 per year.
- Boot space: CX-8 209 litres; Tayron 345 litres.
- Wheelbase: CX-8 2,930 mm; Tayron 2,790 mm.
- Warranty: CX-8 five years/100,000 km with free service; Tayron two years/unlimited mileage.
CX-8
- RM25,300 lower purchase price.
- 192 hp and 258 Nm from a 2.5-litre petrol engine.
- Longer five-year/100,000 km warranty with free service.
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
- 209-litre boot is 136 litres smaller than the Tayron’s.
- RM830 annual road tax versus RM120.
Tayron
- Autonomous braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring and steering correction.
- 345-litre boot and 360-degree camera with auto parking.
- Adaptive cruise control, ventilated and massaging front seats.
- RM25,300 more expensive.
- 148 hp is 44 hp down on the CX-8.
- Two-year warranty is shorter than the CX-8’s five-year cover.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM165,360✓ | RM190,660 |
| 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 | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing with 48-volt MHEV assistance |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 192 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Torque | 258 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| 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 | 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,900 mm | 4,792 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,790 mm |
| Weight | 1,781 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 209 litres | 345 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R19 | 235/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R19 | 235/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes R46 | Hankook Ventus evoSUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | Dynamic Chassis Control Pro |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front & Rear Side Bags, Curtain Airbags & Front Centre 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available on Front Passenger Seat and 2 Outer Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| 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 | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilation and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | 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 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 Middle Row, 2 Back Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Rear Window Blinds |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8" Touchscreen, Commander Control Knob, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 12.9" Discover Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 8-speaker Volkswagen 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 | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 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 Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 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 & Tayron for sale
CX-8 vs Tayron FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-8 or Volkswagen Tayron better?
The Tayron is better equipped for safety and convenience, with autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and a 345-litre boot. The CX-8 is the stronger-value choice if its lower price, 192 hp output and longer warranty matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Tayron costs RM25,300 more than the Mazda CX-8: RM190,660 versus RM165,360. Its annual road tax is RM710 lower, at RM120 compared with RM830.
Which has more luggage space with seven seats?
The Volkswagen Tayron has the larger quoted boot, at 345 litres versus 209 litres for the Mazda CX-8. That is a 136-litre advantage for the Tayron.