In the SUV market in Malaysia, many buyers often compare Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-9 when choosing a car. The price and positioning of these two cars are quite close, today we will make a detailed comparison from multiple aspects to help you save time on research.
The Honda CR-V has an OTR selling price in Malaysia of RM 178,200 - 195,900, with a total of 4 versions, including 2026 e:HEV 2.0L 2WD RS (RM 195,900), 2026 1.5T 4WD V (RM 181,900), 2026 e:HEV 2.0L 2WD E (RM 178,200), etc.
The Mazda CX-9 has an OTR selling price in Malaysia of RM 328,810 - 345,810, with a total of 2 versions, including 2023 2.5T 4WD (RM 345,810), 2023 2.5T 2WD (RM 328,810), etc.
In terms of price, the Honda CR-V's starting price is indeed RM 150,610 cheaper than the Mazda CX-9. If your budget is limited, Honda's entry-level version is already sufficient for daily needs. However, note that the few thousand difference in price might mean trade-offs in features, depending on your specific needs.

The Honda CR-V is equipped with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine, with 170 hp. Official fuel consumption is 8.0 L/100km.
The Mazda CX-9 is equipped with a 2.0L Turbo engine, with 220 hp. Official fuel consumption is 9.5 L/100km.
Regarding power, the Mazda CX-9's 2.0L Turbo has 50 more horsepower than the Honda CR-V's 2.0L 4-cyl. However, for daily city driving, the power of both cars is sufficient, you won't feel it lacks power.

The Honda CR-V's safety rating is 5★ (ASEAN NCAP), active safety system includes Honda SENSING (ACC, CMBS, LKAS, RDM).
The Mazda CX-9's safety rating is 5★ (ASEAN NCAP), active safety system includes Brand ADAS.
Both cars have the same safety rating, and safety features are quite comprehensive for this class. New cars nowadays generally have good safety, no need to worry too much about this.

The Honda CR-V adopts FWD drivetrain.
The Mazda CX-9 adopts FWD drivetrain.
Both cars have the same drivetrain, both are FWD, there won't be much difference in daily driving feel.

Both the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-9 are popular choices in the Malaysian market, suitable for family use and daily commuting. If you value brand reputation and resale value more, you can prioritize the one with the better reputation; if you care more about cost-effectiveness and features, choose the one with richer configurations. Ultimately, it is recommended to test drive both, as personal experience is the most important.

Overall, both the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-9 are very good models in the Malaysian market. Which one to choose depends on your personal needs and budget. We suggest doing your homework, comparing quotes from several dealers, and then test driving before making the final decision. Buying a car is a major matter, spending time on research will never go wrong.