Verdict
These are radically different answers to Malaysian motoring. The RM296,610 Mazda CX-80 costs RM47,365 more, but brings six seats, five doors and a 65-km EV range from its 17.8-kWh battery; that matters if home or workplace charging can cover short trips. Its 3,120-mm wheelbase and 258-litre boot also suit family duty far better. At RM249,245, the Subaru BRZ is a 1,289-kg rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual, 234 hp and a quoted 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time. Buy it for the drive, not carrying people or luggage.
Pick the Mazda CX-80 if you need six seats, all-wheel drive and plug-in hybrid running with a 65-km EV range.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if a lighter 1,289-kg rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual matters more than family space.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-80 RM296,610; Subaru BRZ RM249,245.
- Seats and doors: Mazda CX-80 has 6 seats and 5 doors; Subaru BRZ has 4 seats and 2 doors.
- Powertrain: Mazda CX-80 has a 2,488-cc plug-in hybrid with one 172-hp motor and 65-km EV range; Subaru BRZ has a 2,387-cc petrol engine with 234 hp.
- Driveline and gearbox: Mazda CX-80 uses all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic; Subaru BRZ uses rear-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual.
- Kerb weight: Mazda CX-80 is 2,342 kg; Subaru BRZ is 1,289 kg.
- Boot space: Mazda CX-80 has 258 litres; Subaru BRZ has 226 litres.
CX-80
- 65-km EV range from a 17.8-kWh battery
- Six seats, five doors and 258-litre boot
- Autonomous braking, steering lane-keeping assist and 360-degree monitor
- RM47,365 dearer than the Subaru BRZ
- 2,342 kg versus the BRZ's 1,289 kg
- RM830 annual road tax versus RM767
BRZ
- 234-hp rear-wheel-drive coupe with six-speed manual
- Quoted 0-100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds
- RM47,365 lower purchase price
- Only two doors and four seats versus the CX-80's five doors and six seats
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
- No rear air-conditioning, sunroof or powered front seats
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM296,610 | RM249,245✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Coupe |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM767✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and plug-in hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 189 hp | 234 hp✓ |
| Torque | 261 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | 89 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 172 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 270 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 17.8 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 65 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.2 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 226 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,995 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,120 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 2,342 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 258 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 6 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for second row seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Heating, Ventilation and Memory Function | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Individual Captain Seat Middle Row with Heating & Ventilation, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Middle, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Screen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 12-speaker Bose Sound System | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000-km Free Service, 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-80 & BRZ for sale
CX-80 vs BRZ FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-80 or Subaru BRZ better?
The CX-80 is better for carrying people and using plug-in hybrid capability, with six seats and 65 km of EV range. The BRZ is the better choice for a manual, rear-wheel-drive coupe experience, with 234 hp and 1,289 kg kerb weight.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-80 costs RM296,610 and the Subaru BRZ costs RM249,245, so the CX-80 is RM47,365 more expensive.
Which has more safety assistance?
The Mazda CX-80 has autonomous braking, collision warning, steering lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. The Subaru BRZ has blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, but no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.