Verdict
The RM15,000 step from the RM171,360 High to the RM186,360 High Plus buys meaningful everyday kit rather than more performance: both use the same 192 hp/258 Nm 2.5-litre petrol engine, six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. The High Plus adds steering correction, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control with steering assist, a 360-degree camera and a head-up display. Its autonomous braking also detects pedestrians, cyclists and cross traffic, while all three seating rows gain heating or ventilation where applicable. For most buyers, the High is the rational choice; regular highway users and families will get more from the High Plus’ driver assistance and cabin extras.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 2.5 High 2WD if you want the same 192 hp powertrain and six-seat cabin while saving RM15,000.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 2.5 High Plus 2WD if adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, steering correction, a 360-degree camera and ventilated seats justify the extra spend.
Key differences
- Price: RM171,360 for the High 2WD versus RM186,360 for the High Plus 2WD.
- Autonomous braking: 4-30 km/h on the High 2WD versus from 4 km/h with pedestrian, cyclist and cross-traffic detection on the High Plus 2WD.
- Lane assistance: no lane-keeping assist on the High 2WD versus steering correction on the High Plus 2WD.
- Cruise control: passive cruise control on the High 2WD versus adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and steering assist on the High Plus 2WD.
- Parking view: reverse camera on the High 2WD versus 360-degree camera on the High Plus 2WD.
- Seat comfort: power-adjustable front seats on the High 2WD versus heated and ventilated front seats plus heated and ventilated second-row seats on the High…
2.5 High 2WD
- RM15,000 less expensive.
- Same 192 hp and 258 Nm 2.5-litre powertrain.
- Gets wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and six speakers.
- No steering correction or stop-and-go adaptive cruise control.
- Reverse camera instead of a 360-degree camera.
- No head-up display or heated and ventilated seating.
2.5 High Plus 2WD
- Autonomous braking adds pedestrian, cyclist and cross-traffic detection.
- Adaptive cruise control includes stop-and-go and steering assist.
- Adds a head-up display, 360-degree camera and rear-door sun shades.
- Costs RM15,000 more.
- Gets grey 10-spoke 19-inch alloys rather than the High’s black V-spoke 19-inch alloys.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM171,360✓ | RM186,360 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM830 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 192 hp at 6,000 rpm | 192 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 258 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 258 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 89 mm × 100 mm | 89 mm × 100 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode | SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | 7.9 L/100 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,900 mm | 4,900 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,930 mm | 2,930 mm |
| Weight | 1,781 kg | 1,781 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 74 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Boot Space | 209 litres | 209 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R19 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R19 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes R46 | Toyo Proxes R46 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Black V-spoke Alloy | 19" 10-spoke Grey Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Black V-spoke Alloy | 19" 10-spoke Grey Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | 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 | 6 Three-point | 6 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2nd Row Seats | Available on 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes (4 to 30 km/h) | Yes, with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Cross Traffic Detection (from 4 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Reverse AEB |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projector with Automatic High Beam |
| 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 Driver's Side Lumbar Adjustment and Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated and Ventilated, with Driver's Side Lumbar Adjustment and Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row | 50:50 Split-Folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row with Heating and Ventilation, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 2nd Row USB, 2 3rd Row USB | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 2nd Row USB, 2 3rd Row USB |
| Interior Lighting | LED Map Lights and Footwell Lights | LED Map Lights and Footwell Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Rear Door Window Sun Shades |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8" Touchscreen, Commander Control Knob, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8" Touchscreen, Commander Control Knob, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| 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 with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | 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 cars for sale
2.5 High 2WD vs 2.5 High Plus 2WD FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-8 2.5 High 2WD or Mazda CX-8 2.5 High Plus 2WD better?
The High Plus 2WD is better equipped, with broader autonomous-braking detection, steering correction, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera and ventilated seats. The High 2WD is better value if those additions are not priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-8 2.5 High Plus 2WD costs RM15,000 more than the Mazda CX-8 2.5 High 2WD.
Do the High 2WD and High Plus 2WD have different engines?
No. Both use a 2,488 cc naturally aspirated petrol four-cylinder producing 192 hp at 6,000 rpm and 258 Nm at 4,000 rpm, paired with a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive.
