Verdict
At RM281,450, the Mazda CX-9 costs RM7,550 less than the Toyota Harrier yet brings seven seats, a 2,930 mm wheelbase and a 228 hp/420 Nm 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine. It is the proper choice for larger families, though its 230-litre boot is tight with all three rows in use. The RM289,000 Harrier is a shorter five-seater with a much larger 396-litre boot, hybrid assistance, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. Pick it for five occupants and daily convenience, not maximum passenger count or torque.
Pick the Mazda CX-9 if you need seven seats and want 420 Nm from a 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine for RM7,550 less.
Pick the Toyota Harrier if five seats are enough and you want hybrid assistance, a 396-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-9 RM281,450; Toyota Harrier RM289,000.
- Seats: Mazda CX-9 seven; Toyota Harrier five.
- Engine torque: Mazda CX-9 420 Nm; Toyota Harrier 221 Nm.
- Length: Mazda CX-9 5,075 mm; Toyota Harrier 4,740 mm.
- Boot space: Mazda CX-9 230 litres; Toyota Harrier 396 litres.
- Fuel tank: Mazda CX-9 72 litres; Toyota Harrier 55 litres.
CX-9
- Seven seats and a 2,930 mm wheelbase.
- 228 hp and 420 Nm turbo petrol engine.
- RM7,550 lower price and head-up display.
- 230-litre boot is 166 litres smaller than the Harrier's.
- Passive cruise control versus the Harrier's adaptive cruise control.
- No 360-degree camera.
Harrier
- 396-litre boot and a more compact 4,740 mm length.
- Hybrid system with one 118 hp/202 Nm motor.
- Adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and kick-sensor powered boot.
- Five seats versus the CX-9's seven.
- 221 Nm engine torque trails the CX-9's 420 Nm.
- Costs RM7,550 more.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM281,450✓ | RM289,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM830✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, turbocharged | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with dual variable valve timing and hybrid assistance (VVT-iE on intake, VVT-i on exhaust) |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 228 hp✓ | 175 hp |
| Torque | 420 Nm✓ | 221 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 89 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 14 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 118 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 202 Nm✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift mode | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 8.98 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,075 mm | 4,740 mm |
| Width | 1,969 mm | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 1,747 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 1,854 kg | 1,695 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 230 litres | 396 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/50R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Falken Ziex CT50 A/S | Bridgestone Alenza H/L 33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for second row seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Braking |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-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 Memory Function for Driver | 12-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest, Manual Recline |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Full-sized Moonroof with Electrochromic Function |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | — | Map Lights, Cupholder Lights and Footwell Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | — | 8" Display Audio with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Six speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot | Powered with Kick Sensor |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | 2 USB charging ports in rear centre armrest | Front and Rear Digital Video Recorder |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 3-year/60,000 km free service | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Hybrid Battery, Inverter and PCU |
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-9 & Harrier for sale
CX-9 vs Harrier FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-9 or Toyota Harrier better?
The CX-9 is better for seven-seat family use, with a longer 2,930 mm wheelbase and 420 Nm. The Harrier suits five occupants better, with a 396-litre boot, hybrid assistance, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Harrier costs RM289,000, which is RM7,550 more than the Mazda CX-9 at RM281,450.
Which has the better warranty cover?
Both have a five-year manufacturer warranty. The CX-9 is capped at 100,000 km, while the Harrier has unlimited mileage cover plus an eight-year unlimited-mileage warranty for its hybrid battery, inverter and PCU.