Mazda CX-9 Versus Hyundai Palisade In Malaysia – Which Full-Sized SUV To Buy
Conclusion: Decide if you prefer the Hyundai Palisade or Mazda CX-9 better before buying.
The full-sized SUV game has been creeping into the Malaysian automotive industry slowly. A few years ago, it was only the premium European marques that offered SUVs this large and let’s just say they were expensive. Only when Mazda debuted the 2nd generation CX-9 and then the locally-assembled CX-8 did Malaysians stop to consider one of these. Well, Mazda is no longer the only Asian brand to offer E-segment SUVs as Hyundai now offers the Palisade fully imported from Ulsan, South Korea. We’ve decided to compare the Mazda CX-9 with this new Hyundai Palisade to help you decide which of the two XL-sized SUVs you should consider. If you’re wondering why the CX-8 isn’t in this equation, it’s because that vehicle’s not quite as long or wide as these two. It is significantly cheaper though.
![Mazda CX-9 Ignite Edition_2022](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_600,h_509/https://www.dsf.my/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Mazda-CX-9-Ignite-Edition-600x509.jpeg)
Dimensions
The CX-9 is noticably longer (95mm) with a longer wheelbase (30mm). The Palisade and CX-9 trade blows in other aspects, but the margins are not significant. In case you’re a stickler for details, here they are:
CX-9 | Palisade | |
Width | 1969mm | 1975mm |
Height | 1747mm | 1750mm |
Weight | 1998kg | 2020kg |
It’s also worth noting that the Palisade gives you a full-sized spare tyre while the CX-9 can only spare a space saver.
Variety, Pricing and Warranty Package
The Palisade is available in 4 configurations – two powertrains and 2 seating/equipment configurations.
- Palisade Exec 2.2 Diesel 7-seater – RM348,888
- Palisade Luxe 3.8L Petrol 7-seater – RM358,888
- Palisade Exec 2.2 Diesel 8-seater – RM328,888
- Palisade Luxe 3.8 Petrol 8-seater – RM338,888
![](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_600,h_414/https://www.dsf.my/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Mazda-CX-9_2021_front-600x414.jpeg)
The CX-9, on the other hands, is available in just 2 configurations – wither with an all-wheel drive system or without one.
- CX-9 2.5 Skyactiv-G Turbo 2WD – RM319,847.40
- CX-9 2.5 Skyactiv-G Turbo AWD – RM336,215.40
![](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_600,h_467/https://www.dsf.my/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Hyundai-Palisade-Preview__6420-600x467.jpg)
Warranty packages are worth mentioning as they are vastly different. Hyundai offers a 2-year, 50,000km warranty as standard. If you want a 5-year warranty with a 300,000km mileage warranty, you will have to pay an additional RM11,000 for the Exec variants and RM12,000 for the Luxe variants.
![](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_600,h_400/https://www.dsf.my/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Hyundai-Palisade-3-600x400.jpg)
The CX-9 comes with a 5-year, 100,000km mileage manufacturer warranty as standard. Mazda will also cover basic servicing for the first 5-years/100,000km.
![](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_600,h_426/https://www.dsf.my/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Hyundai-Palisade-Exterior3-600x426.jpg)
Pricing is taken from each of these manufacturers’ websites and is accurate as of the date of publication. Both vehicles currently benefit from a 50% sales tax discount as they are fully imported. Pricing is for private registration, OTR without insurance.
![BHPetrol_Euro5 Diesel_2021](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_600,h_78/https://www.dsf.my/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/BHPetrol_Euro5-Diesel_Web-Banner_EN_DSF_650x85_FA-1-600x78.jpg)
Road tax for the Palisade diesel should be about RM600 a year while the 3.8L V6 should be RM2,885 a year to run. The CX-9, on the other hand costs RM830 a year to drive.
Powertrain
On the Hyundai Palisade, the 2.2L turbodiesel variant comes with all-wheel drive. It produces 197 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 440Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm. With the 3.8L naturally-aspirated engine, power is sent only to the front wheels. This engine produces 291 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 355Nm of torque 5,200 rpm. Both engines come with an 8-speed conventional automatic. The Mazda CX-9 2.5L turbocharged petrol engine produces 228 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 420Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. This engine sends power to the front wheels via a 6-speed conventional automatic. The Mazda CX-9 strikes a balance between the two extremes.
![](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_600,h_421/https://www.dsf.my/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Mazda-CX-9_2021_rear-600x421.jpeg)
In terms of fuel efficiency, the two SUVs trade blows. Both the Palisade 2.2L diesel and CX-9 2.5L turbo consume about 8.8L/100km but the fuel price difference will favour the diesel. However, the Palisade’s 3.8L V6 engine consumes 10.8L/100km, a noticeably higher amount.
![2021 Mazda CX-9 Ignite Edition seat layout](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_600,h_425/https://www.dsf.my/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Mazda-CX-9-Ignite-Edition-3-600x425.jpeg)
Equipment
We’ll compare the full-spec Hyundai Palisade with the CX-9 with all-wheel drive.
The Palisade has Auto High Beams, Heating and Ventilation for the front seats, seatbelt reminder for all seats, one-touch folding middle row seats, 3rd row air cond vents, dual sunroofs, 2nd row sun shades, wireless Android Auto, Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist, and Stop & Go, as well as USB charging ports for all rows of seats. The diesel variant lacks some of the advanced driver assist systems found on the petrol model.
![](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_600,h_435/https://www.dsf.my/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Hyundai-Palisade-2020-1600-3e-600x435.jpg)
The CX-9 has rear autonomous braking, a slightly larger 9″ infotainment system, a 12-speaker BOSE sound system, and 360-degree parking cameras.
![2021 Mazda CX-9 Ignite Edition dashboard](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_600,h_450/https://www.dsf.my/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Mazda-CX-9-Ignite-Edition-2-600x450.jpeg)
We’d say the Hyundai has the Mazda matched or beat except for its infotainment system.
![Hyundai Palisade](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_600,h_410/https://www.dsf.my/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Hyundai-Palisade-2020-1280-19-600x410.jpg)