Verdict
At RM165,360 versus RM165,000, this is a RM360 call rather than a budget decision. The Mazda CX-8 brings 192 hp, 258 Nm, a 2,930-mm wheelbase and multi-link rear suspension, but its road tax is RM830 and it has no autonomous braking. The eight-seat Toyota Innova Zenix has 239 litres of boot space, pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and a 360-degree camera, while road tax is RM435 a year. Pick the Mazda for output and chassis hardware; take the Toyota for an extra seat and stronger driver assistance.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 if 192 hp, 258 Nm, a 2,930-mm wheelbase and multi-link rear suspension matter more than an eighth seat and active safety aids.
Pick the Toyota Innova Zenix if you need eight seats, 239 litres of boot space, lower road tax and Toyota Safety Sense braking.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-8 RM165,360; Toyota Innova Zenix RM165,000.
- Engine output: Mazda CX-8 192 hp and 258 Nm; Toyota Innova Zenix 174 hp and 205 Nm.
- Seating and boot: Mazda CX-8 seven seats and 209 litres; Toyota Innova Zenix eight seats and 239 litres.
- Road tax: Mazda CX-8 RM830 per year; Toyota Innova Zenix RM435 per year.
- Rear suspension: Mazda CX-8 multi-link; Toyota Innova Zenix torsion beam.
- Active safety: Mazda CX-8 has no autonomous braking; Toyota Innova Zenix has TSS pre-collision braking from 4-120 km/h with pedestrian detection.
CX-8
- 192 hp and 258 Nm beat the Toyota's 174 hp and 205 Nm.
- Longer 2,930-mm wheelbase and multi-link rear suspension.
- Dual-zone front climate control, powered front seats and 19-inch wheels.
- Seven seats versus the Toyota's eight.
- 209-litre boot is 30 litres smaller.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or adaptive cruise control; road tax is RM395 higher.
Innova Zenix
- Eight seats and a 239-litre boot.
- Pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring, steering correction and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.
- RM435 annual road tax and an unlimited-mileage five-year warranty.
- 174 hp and 205 Nm trail the Mazda's 192 hp and 258 Nm.
- Torsion-beam rear suspension versus the Mazda's multi-link setup.
- Single-zone front air-con and a manually adjusted front passenger seat.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM165,360 | RM165,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM435✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 4-cylinder inline, 16 valve DOHC, Toyota Dynamic Force Direct Injection |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 1,987 cc |
| Horsepower | 192 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 174 hp at 6,600 rpm |
| Torque | 258 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ | 205 Nm at 4,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 89 mm × 100 mm | 80.5 mm × 97.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode | 10-speed Direct Shift CVT with Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | 6 | 10 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,900 mm | 4,760 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 1,781 kg | 1,595 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 7 | 8 |
| Boot Space | 209 litres | 239 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R19 | 225/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R19 | 225/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 16" Steel 205/65R16 Tyre |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes R46 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Indonesia (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | — |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 8 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available on two outer middle passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, TSS Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Automatic LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Lumbar Adjustment and Memory Function | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 2nd Row USB, 2 3rd Row USB | 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 1 Front Cig Socket, 2 Middle Row USB-C, 1 Rear Row Cig Socket |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8" Touchscreen, Commander Control Knob, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 10.1" Capacitive Touchscreen Display, 6 Speakers, Wireless Carplay and Wired Android Auto, USB and Bluetooth |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 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.
Used CX-8 & Innova Zenix for sale
CX-8 vs Innova Zenix FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-8 or Toyota Innova Zenix better?
The Innova Zenix is the better family-hauling choice with eight seats, a larger 239-litre boot and active safety systems. The CX-8 suits buyers who prioritise its 192 hp engine, 258 Nm torque and multi-link rear suspension.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-8 costs RM360 more than the Toyota Innova Zenix. Its annual road tax is also RM395 higher, at RM830 versus RM435.
Which one has more passenger and luggage space?
The Toyota Innova Zenix carries eight people against the Mazda CX-8's seven, and its 239-litre boot is 30 litres larger than the Mazda's 209 litres.
