Mazda CX-5: Know its alternatives

Mazda has been growing its product count in Malaysia for quite some time now. Apart from its sedan and hatchback cars, it's CX family has been doing pretty good in the country. Mazda's CX family includes the members - CX-3, CX-5, and CX-9. The Mazda CX-5 sits in the middle of the family chain and has got a lot to offer. However, just like any other car, it isn't perfect. So, today we're going to discuss a few alternatives to the Mazda CX-5 that you might want to have a look at if you're considering buying the Mazda.

1) Honda CR-V

Just like Mazda has got its 'KODO' design theme going around on all of its models, you can clearly tell it’s a Honda by the signature chrome so-called grille. The CR-V is no exception. Unlike the Mazda CX-5, this car here has slightly toned down exterior. And by that, we don’t mean that it’s not attractive. Honda has got its own way of luring in customers. The CR-V has some interesting features like the large headlights, all-black interior, 7-inch touchscreen that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a host of safety features onboard, and whatnot.

The starting price of the Honda CR-V is RM 138,308 which goes all the way up to RM 163,191 for the top-of-the-line model. There are four variants of the car and you get two engine options to pick from - a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that churns out 193 PS of max power and generates 243 Nm of torque and a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine that has got you 154 PS of peak power and 189 Nm of torque.

2) Peugeot 3008

To begin with, the Peugeot 3008 is a fantastic looking car, period. It’s quite clear that the designers at Peugeot spent long hours to narrow down this masterpiece. The design of the headlamps is something we haven’t seen before. The LED daytime running lights carry this fragmented style that just holds your gaze. The rear end features the same fragmented design of the LED DRLs in the tail lights. The spoiler here adds to the sporty and dynamic appearance of the car. And, of course, we didn’t miss the floating roof design. It gets a bit confusing as to where to look and what to appreciate more about this car.

The interior of the Peugeot 3008 appears to be highly inspired by a cockpit of an aircraft. It has so much to offer; comes loaded with various advanced technologies and features. Peugeot made sure that safety is in its priority list while designing the 3008. Consequently, you get to see numerous safety features that made it possible for the 3008 to score a 5-star Euro NCAP rating.

The Peugeot 3008 is available in two variants in Malaysia. Both of them get the same 1.6-litre engine that produces 167 PS of max power and 240 Nm of torque. This is powerful enough to take the 3008 to a top speed of 206 kmph. The pricing of the 3008 starts at RM 141,888.

3) Toyota C-HR

Probably, the most dynamic car here is the Toyota C-HR. First look at this car and you’d instantly be hooked by the size of its headlamps. They’re pretty huge. They’re joined together by a black slat that houses the Toyota logo. There’s no front grille here to talk about. The wheel arches are quite evident, though. Interestingly, if you aren’t blown away by the front end of the C-HR, then its rear is definitely going to do that job. Toyota has really made it that sophisticated and complex to fathom. The floating and protruding LED tail lights, the boot lid, and extended roof-mounted rear spoiler really takes time to admire.

Toyota has used good quality materials in the interior of the C-HR. You get soft padding on the dashboard that feels nice to touch. The 7-inch touchscreen features smartphone connectivity, Wi-Fi, Internet browser, voice recognition, HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, and a reverse parking camera. The diamond-inspired design on the leather seats is a nice touch and proves Toyota’s attention to detail.

Under the hood of the C-HR is a 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder engine that produces 140 PS of max power and 171 Nm of peak torque. It comes mated to a CVT unit. The price of the Toyota C-HR is set at RM 150,000 and it comes in only a single variant.