Verdict
The RM6,000 step from the Mazda CX-8 2.5 Mid 2WD to the Mazda CX-8 2.5 High 2WD buys useful active-safety kit: blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, collision warning and autonomous braking from 4 to 30 km/h. It also brings adaptive LED headlamps, navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay. But the High trades the Mid’s seven seats for six, while both use the same 192 hp/258 Nm 2.5-litre petrol engine, six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. For a full seven-seat family, the Mid is the sensible choice; otherwise, take the High’s safety margin.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 2.5 Mid 2WD if you need seven seats and would rather save RM6,000 than pay for the High’s driver-assistance kit.
Pick the Mazda CX-8 2.5 High 2WD if six seats are enough and you want autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-8 2.5 Mid 2WD RM165,360; Mazda CX-8 2.5 High 2WD RM171,360.
- Seating: Mazda CX-8 2.5 Mid 2WD has 7 seats; Mazda CX-8 2.5 High 2WD has 6 seats.
- Autonomous braking: Mazda CX-8 2.5 Mid 2WD has none; Mazda CX-8 2.5 High 2WD operates from 4 to 30 km/h.
- Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts: Mazda CX-8 2.5 Mid 2WD has neither; Mazda CX-8 2.5 High 2WD has both.
- Headlamps and daytime running lights: Mazda CX-8 2.5 Mid 2WD gets LED projector lamps and no LED DRLs; Mazda CX-8 2.
- Connectivity: Mazda CX-8 2.5 Mid 2WD has wired Apple CarPlay and no navigation; Mazda CX-8 2.5 High 2WD has wireless Apple CarPlay and navigation.
2.5 Mid 2WD
- Seven-seat layout.
- RM6,000 lower price.
- Same 192 hp and 258 Nm powertrain as the High.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning, blind-spot monitoring or rear cross traffic alert.
- No navigation or wireless Apple CarPlay.
- Fixed LED projector headlamps rather than adaptive units.
2.5 High 2WD
- Autonomous braking works from 4 to 30 km/h.
- Gets blind-spot monitoring, collision warning and rear cross traffic alert.
- Adaptive LED headlamps, navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay.
- Costs RM6,000 more.
- Has six seats rather than the Mid’s seven.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM165,360✓ | RM171,360 |
| 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 | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 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" Silver V-spoke Alloy | 19" Black V-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Silver V-spoke Alloy | 19" Black V-spoke 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 | 7 Three-point | 6 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available on 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes (4 to 30 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projector |
| 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 with Driver's Side Lumbar Adjustment and Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row | 50:50 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 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 | Map Lights | LED Map Lights and Footwell 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 | 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| 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 | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 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 Mid 2WD vs 2.5 High 2WD FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-8 2.5 Mid 2WD or Mazda CX-8 2.5 High 2WD better?
The High is better equipped for safety, with autonomous braking, collision warning, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. The Mid is better for buyers who need seven seats, as the High has six.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-8 2.5 High 2WD costs RM6,000 more than the Mazda CX-8 2.5 Mid 2WD: RM171,360 versus RM165,360.
Do the Mid and High 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.
