Verdict
At RM186,360, the 2.5 High Plus is the sensible CX-8 because it keeps the same six-seat cabin, safety systems and High Plus equipment for RM26,763 less. The diesel answers back with 450 Nm against 258 Nm and a rated 5.7 L/100 km versus 7.9 L/100 km, so it is the one for buyers who will exploit its stronger low-end pull and lower fuel use. Yet with only 188 hp to the petrol’s 192 hp, and no listed equipment gain, the premium needs careful justification.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 2.5 High Plus 2WD if you want the same listed High Plus kit for less money and prefer 192 hp with 77 kg less kerb weight.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 2.2D High Plus 2WD if 450 Nm torque and the 5.7 L/100 km rated economy matter more than the higher purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: 2.5 High Plus 2WD RM186,360; 2.2D High Plus 2WD RM213,123.
- Engine output: 2.5 petrol 192 hp and 258 Nm; 2.2D diesel 188 hp and 450 Nm.
- Rated economy: 2.5 petrol 7.9 L/100 km; 2.2D diesel 5.7 L/100 km.
- Annual road tax: 2.5 petrol RM830; 2.2D diesel RM593.
- Kerb weight: 2.5 petrol 1,781 kg; 2.2D diesel 1,858 kg.
- Engine capacity: 2.5 petrol 2,488 cc; 2.2D diesel 2,191 cc.
2.5 High Plus 2WD
- RM26,763 lower purchase price.
- 192 hp, versus 188 hp.
- 77 kg lighter kerb weight.
- 192 Nm less torque than the diesel.
- Rated consumption is 2.2 L/100 km higher.
- RM237 more annual road tax.
2.2D High Plus 2WD
- 450 Nm torque, 192 Nm more than the petrol.
- Rated at 5.7 L/100 km, against 7.9 L/100 km.
- RM593 annual road tax, versus RM830.
- RM26,763 higher purchase price.
- 188 hp is 4 hp below the petrol.
- 77 kg heavier kerb weight.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM186,360✓ | RM213,123 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM593✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger, Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 2,191 cc |
| Horsepower | 192 hp✓ | 188 hp |
| Torque | 258 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore | 89 mm | 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 14 |
| 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 | 5.7 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 | 1,858 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 74 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" 10-spoke Grey Alloy | 19" 10-spoke Grey Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" 10-spoke Grey 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 | 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 | 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, with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Cross Traffic Detection (from 4 km/h) | Yes, with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Cross Traffic Detection (from 4 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Reverse AEB | Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Reverse AEB |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Automatic High Beam | 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, Heated and Ventilated, 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 with Heating and Ventilation, 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 | 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist | 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 | 360-degree Camera | 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 Plus 2WD vs 2.2D High Plus 2WD FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-8 2.5 High Plus 2WD or Mazda CX-8 2.2D High Plus 2WD better?
The 2.5 High Plus 2WD is the better buy for most buyers because its listed equipment and safety kit match the diesel’s at a much lower price. Choose the 2.2D only if its 450 Nm torque and 5.7 L/100 km rated economy suit your driving.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-8 2.2D High Plus 2WD costs RM26,763 more than the Mazda CX-8 2.5 High Plus 2WD.
Does the diesel get more equipment for the extra money?
No listed equipment difference separates these two High Plus 2WD variants. Both have adaptive LED headlamps, 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and the same six-speaker infotainment system.