Verdict
At RM134,469 for the Mazda and RM133,888 for the Nissan, this is effectively a RM581 decision rather than a budget divide. The CX-5 brings 162 hp and 213 Nm, against 142 hp and 200 Nm, plus six airbags, LED projector headlamps and a more current 8.0-inch wireless-phone display. The X-Trail answers with seven seats, a 550-litre boot and a 60-litre tank. For Malaysian families needing the extra row, the Nissan’s packaging matters more; five-seat buyers get more power and safety hardware in the Mazda.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if you want 20 hp more, six airbags and LED projector headlamps in a five-seat SUV.
Pick the Nissan X-Trail if you need seven seats, a 550-litre boot and a 60-litre fuel tank.
Key differences
- Power: Mazda CX-5 162 hp at 6,000 rpm; Nissan X-Trail 142 hp at 6,000 rpm.
- Torque: Mazda CX-5 213 Nm at 4,000 rpm; Nissan X-Trail 200 Nm at 4,400 rpm.
- Seating and boot: Mazda CX-5 five seats and 442 litres; Nissan X-Trail seven seats and 550 litres.
- Airbags: Mazda CX-5 six; Nissan X-Trail four.
- Headlamps: Mazda CX-5 LED projector; Nissan X-Trail halogen reflector.
- Fuel tank: Mazda CX-5 56 litres; Nissan X-Trail 60 litres.
CX-5
- 162 hp and 213 Nm petrol engine.
- Six airbags and LED projector headlamps.
- 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Five seats versus the X-Trail’s seven.
- 442-litre boot versus 550 litres.
- 56-litre fuel tank versus 60 litres.
X-Trail
- Seven-seat layout with sliding, reclining middle row.
- 550-litre boot and 60-litre fuel tank.
- Around View Monitor and front foglamps.
- 142 hp and 200 Nm trail the CX-5’s 162 hp and 213 Nm.
- Four airbags versus six in the CX-5.
- Halogen reflector headlamps versus LED projectors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM134,469 | RM133,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM439✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,997 cc |
| Horsepower | 162 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 142 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 213 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ | 200 Nm at 4,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm | 84 mm × 90.1 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 11.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift and Sport mode | XTRONIC CVT with 7-speed Manual Mode |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.4 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 176 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,550 mm | 4,690 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,820 mm |
| Height | 1,675 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,705 mm |
| Weight | 1,588 kg | 1,558 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 442 litres | 550 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/65R17 | 225/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/65R17 | 225/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental CrossContact LX Sport | Continental ContiCrossContact LX Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Five Twin-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Five Twin-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Engine Brake, Intelligent Trace Control, Active Brake Limited Slip |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 7 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Driver and front passenger only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Manual Reclining and Sliding Middle Row with 60:40 Split-folding, Last Row 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 2 Front, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers | 7" Touchscreen Radio CD/MP3 Player with 6 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay Support |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 5" Advance Drive Assist Display (ADAD) within Instrument Cluster, Under-boot Tonneau Cover |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
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-5 & X-Trail for sale
CX-5 vs X-Trail FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-5 or Nissan X-Trail better?
The CX-5 is the stronger five-seater, with 162 hp, 213 Nm, six airbags and LED projector headlamps. The X-Trail is better for larger families because it has seven seats, a 550-litre boot and a 60-litre tank.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan X-Trail is RM581 cheaper than the Mazda CX-5. That is a very small gap, so seating needs and equipment matter far more than the purchase price.
Which has more safety equipment?
The Mazda CX-5 has the clearer passive-safety advantage with six airbags to the Nissan X-Trail’s four. Both have ABS/EBD, stability control, hill start assist and a reverse camera, while the Nissan adds an Around View Monitor.
