Video: Mazda CX-5 vs Kia Sorento – Diesel SUV Showdown

The first video of the newly-minted collaboration between Carlist.my and Roda Pusing is available for viewing. Hosted by Hans and Kon from our team alongside Hisham and Albakry of Roda Pusing, the video features a diesel-powered SUV comparison test between the Mazda CX-5 and Kia Sorento.

We’ll avoid putting any spoilers of the video in this article, but to run down some facts, both SUVs are powered by 2.2-litre turbodiesel engines and are priced in the region of RM150k to RM170k.

Specifications:

Mazda CX-5 SkyActiv-D 2.2

Price: RM161,929.10 (OTR without insurance)
Engine: 2.2-litre, Inline-4 Transverse, Turbodiesel
Power: 173hp @ 5,700rpm
Torque: 420Nm @ 2,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed torque converter automatic, FWD

Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi

Price: RM155,888.00 (OTR with insurance)
Engine: 2.2-litre, Inline-4 Transverse, Turbodiesel
Power: 197hp @ 3,800rpm
Torque: 441Nm @ 1,750 – 2,750rpm
Transmission: 6-speed torque converter automatic, AWD

On paper, the Sorento 2.2 CRDi is the value for money proposition, being the bigger car whilst also costing less money. The Kia can be on your drive way for RM156k with insurance. It comes with all-wheel drive as standard.

The newly-crowned ASEAN Car of the Year, the Mazda CX-5 SkyActiv-D 2.2, is costlier at RM162k, and without insurance at that. Also, unlike its petrol-powered siblings, the CX-5 Diesel does not have the option of all-wheel drive – it is a FWD-only offering.

The CX-5 counters the Sorento’s seemingly superior value with a more generous amount of kit. For some reason, Kia has opted to offer the diesel Sorento in its most basic configuration only, saving the best goodies only for the petrol models. Mazda, on the other hand, has specced the CX-5 diesel to match the highest trim of its petrol models.

Key Equipment:

Watch the video below to find out our views and conclusions regarding these two similarly priced and specced yet diametrically opposed SUVs.