Verdict
At RM134,469, the CKD Mazda CX-5 costs RM57,419 less than the RM191,888 CBU Renault Koleos, while its annual road tax is also lower at RM439 versus RM830. The Koleos is the quicker and roomier machine: its 171 hp, 226 Nm 2.5-litre reaches 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and carries 542 litres of luggage. The CX-5 counters with a six-speed automatic, 40:20:40 rear seat and four USB ports plus a wireless charger. For most Malaysian buyers, the Mazda’s saving is simply too large to ignore.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if you want to keep RM57,419 in your pocket, pay RM391 less annual road tax and value its 40:20:40 rear bench plus wireless phone charging.
Pick the Renault Koleos if its 9.5-second 0-100 km/h time, 542-litre boot, power-adjustable front seats and front parking sensors justify the RM191,888 price.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-5 RM134,469; Renault Koleos RM191,888.
- Performance: Mazda CX-5 162 hp, 213 Nm and 10.4 sec 0-100 km/h; Renault Koleos 171 hp, 226 Nm and 9.5 sec.
- Boot space: Mazda CX-5 442 litres; Renault Koleos 542 litres.
- Wheels: Mazda CX-5 17-inch alloys with 225/65R17 tyres; Renault Koleos 18-inch alloys with 225/60R18 tyres.
- Road tax: Mazda CX-5 RM439 per year; Renault Koleos RM830 per year.
- Warranty mileage: Mazda CX-5 5 years/100,000 km; Renault Koleos 5 years/150,000 km.
CX-5
- RM57,419 cheaper to buy
- Lower RM439 annual road tax
- 40:20:40 rear seats, four USB ports and wireless charger
- Slower 10.4-second 0-100 km/h time versus 9.5 seconds
- 442-litre boot is 100 litres smaller
- No front parking sensors or power-adjustable front seats
Koleos
- Quicker 9.5-second 0-100 km/h performance
- 542-litre boot and full-size spare tyre
- Power-adjustable front seats and six front/rear parking sensors
- Costs RM57,419 more
- RM830 annual road tax is RM391 higher
- No wireless charger; the CX-5 has four USB ports while the Koleos has three power sockets
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM134,469✓ | RM191,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM830 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 162 hp | 171 hp✓ |
| Torque | 213 Nm | 226 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift and Sport mode | X-Tronic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.4 seconds | 9.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 8.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 176 km/h | 200 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,550 mm | 4,672 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,843 mm |
| Height | 1,675 mm | 1,678 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,705 mm |
| Weight | 1,588 kg | 1,540 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 442 litres | 542 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/65R17 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/65R17 | 225/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Continental CrossContact LX Sport | Nexen N Priz RH7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with one-touch operation |
| 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 | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (5 colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers | 8.7" R-LINK 2 Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 3D sound by Arkamys, 8 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | 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 | 150,000 km✓ |
| 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 & Koleos for sale
CX-5 vs Koleos FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-5 or Renault Koleos better?
The Mazda CX-5 is the better buy for cost-conscious buyers, at RM57,419 less with lower road tax. Choose the Renault Koleos only if its quicker 9.5-second sprint, 100-litre larger boot, power seats and longer 150,000-km warranty matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Renault Koleos costs RM191,888 and the Mazda CX-5 costs RM134,469, so the Koleos is RM57,419 more expensive.
Which SUV has the larger boot?
The Renault Koleos has the larger boot at 542 litres, compared with 442 litres in the Mazda CX-5. The Mazda has the more flexible 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat; the Koleos uses a 60:40 split.
