Verdict
The Mazda CX-9 Mk2 is the sharper new-generation choice on running costs: its RM281,450 price is RM6,955 below the Mk1 Facelift’s RM288,405, while annual road tax drops from RM2,802 to RM830 and rated consumption from 11 to 8.98 L/100 km. Its 2.5-litre turbo also delivers 420 Nm from 2,000 rpm, against 367 Nm at 4,250 rpm. The outgoing Mk1 Facelift counters with 274 hp and a far larger 487-litre boot, versus 228 hp and 230 litres. For Malaysian family use, luggage capacity is the one serious reason to choose the older car.
Pick the Mazda CX-9 Mk1 Facelift if you need its 487-litre boot and prefer 274 hp over the Mk2’s 228 hp.
Pick the Mazda CX-9 Mk2 if lower RM830 annual road tax, 8.98 L/100 km economy and substantially newer active-safety equipment matter more.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-9 Mk1 Facelift RM288,405; Mazda CX-9 Mk2 RM281,450.
- Road tax per year: Mk1 Facelift RM2,802; Mk2 RM830.
- Rated fuel economy: Mk1 Facelift 11 L/100 km; Mk2 8.98 L/100 km.
- Torque: Mk1 Facelift 367 Nm at 4,250 rpm; Mk2 420 Nm at 2,000 rpm.
- Boot space: Mk1 Facelift 487 litres; Mk2 230 litres.
- Warranty: Mk1 Facelift 3 years/100,000 km; Mk2 5 years/100,000 km plus 3 years/60,000 km free service.
Mk1 Facelift
- 487-litre boot, 257 litres larger than the Mk2’s.
- 274 hp 3.7-litre V6, against 228 hp.
- Tri-zone climate control with second-row blower and temperature controls.
- RM2,802 annual road tax versus RM830.
- 11 L/100 km rated economy versus 8.98 L/100 km.
- No Smart City Brake Support, rear cross traffic alert or steering correction.
Mk2
- 420 Nm arrives at 2,000 rpm.
- Smart City Brake Support works front and rear.
- Five-year/100,000 km warranty and 3-year/60,000 km free service.
- 230-litre boot versus 487 litres.
- 228 hp versus 274 hp.
- Dual-zone front climate control versus the Mk1 Facelift’s tri-zone system.
What the Mk1 Facelift has over the Mk2
What the Mk2 has over the Mk1 Facelift
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Mk2's wheelbase is 55 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. Boot space favours the Mk1 Facelift: 487 litres against 230.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM288,405 | RM281,450✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,802 | RM830✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,945/mo | RM2,875/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM7,877 | RM7,664✓ |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM4,895 | RM3,574✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM24.48 | RM17.87✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM77,869 | RM60,344✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, turbocharged |
| Capacity | 3,726 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 274 hp at 6,250 rpm✓ | 228 hp at 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 367 Nm at 4,250 rpm | 420 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V 6 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 95.5 mm × 86.7 mm | 89 mm × 100 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed Activematic | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift mode |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.9 seconds | —✓ |
| Rated Economy | 11 L/100 km | 8.98 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 181 km/h✓ | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,096 mm | 5,075 mm |
| Width | 1,936 mm | 1,969 mm |
| Height | 1,728 mm | 1,747 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,875 mm | 2,930 mm |
| Weight | 1,966 kg | 1,854 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 487 litres✓ | 230 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R20 | 255/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R20 | 255/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Falken Ziex CT50 A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloy | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloy | 20" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 6 three-point, 1 centre lap belt (2nd Row) | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for second row seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | — | Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-xenon 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 Driver's Seat with Memory, Power Adjustable Front Passenger Seat, seat heaters | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function for Driver |
| Rear Seats | 2nd row 60:40 Split-folding, 3rd row 50:50 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Tri-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | 2nd Row Vents with Blower and Temperature Controls | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | Front, tilt and slide | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 1 boot | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | — |
| Cup Holders | 2 front, 2 in 2nd row | — |
| Audio | 5.8" touch-screen with CD, MP3, AUX and USB, 10 speakers | — |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Twist Knob | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot | Powered boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 2 USB charging ports in rear centre armrest |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 3-year/60,000 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
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Mk1 Facelift vs Mk2 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-9 Mk1 Facelift or Mazda CX-9 Mk2 better?
The Mazda CX-9 Mk2 is better for lower running costs, low-rpm torque, warranty cover and active safety. Choose the Mk1 Facelift only if its 487-litre boot and 274 hp matter more than the Mk2’s 230-litre boot and 228 hp.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-9 Mk2 costs RM281,450, which is RM6,955 less than the Mazda CX-9 Mk1 Facelift at RM288,405.
Which Mazda CX-9 has lower annual road tax?
The Mazda CX-9 Mk2 has much lower annual road tax at RM830. The Mk1 Facelift’s 3,726 cc V6 is charged RM2,802 per year, a RM1,972 difference.