Verdict
At RM294,800, the BMW i4 costs just RM646 more than the RM294,154 Mazda MX-5, but these are radically different purchases. The i4’s 282 hp, 400 Nm motor and 70.3 kWh battery bring a claimed 500 km range, five seats and a 470-litre boot. The MX-5 counters with a 1,119 kg kerb weight, six-speed manual and power-folding hard-top, but carries only two people and 130 litres of luggage. For Malaysian daily use, the BMW is the rational choice; the Mazda is for open-air, manual driving.
Pick the BMW i4 if you need five seats, 470 litres of boot space and a claimed 500 km electric range.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if a 1,119 kg convertible with a six-speed manual matters more than passenger and luggage capacity.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154.
- Powertrain: BMW i4 has a 282 hp, 400 Nm electric motor; Mazda MX-5 has a 181 hp, 205 Nm 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder.
- Practicality: BMW i4 has five seats and a 470-litre boot; Mazda MX-5 has two seats and a 130-litre boot.
- Weight: BMW i4 weighs 2,075 kg; Mazda MX-5 weighs 1,119 kg.
- Top speed: BMW i4 reaches 190 km/h; Mazda MX-5 reaches 220 km/h.
- Warranty: BMW i4 has a two-year manufacturer warranty plus an eight-year/160,000 km battery warranty; Mazda MX-5 has a five-year/100,000 km manufacturer…
i4
- Claimed 500 km range from a 70.3 kWh battery
- Five seats and a 470-litre boot
- Adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and auto parking
- 956 kg heavier than the MX-5
- 190 km/h top speed is 30 km/h lower
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years for the MX-5
MX-5
- 1,119 kg kerb weight and six-speed manual transmission
- Power-folding retractable hard-top
- 220 km/h top speed
- Only two seats versus five in the i4
- 130-litre boot is 340 litres smaller
- 181 hp and 205 Nm trail the i4’s 282 hp and 400 Nm
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800 | RM294,154✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Convertible |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 181 hp at 7,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 205 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 13 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 70.3 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 500 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 180 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6MT-LSD |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 220 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 205/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 4 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row Seats | Available on Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | — | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 1 front |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
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 i4 & MX-5 for sale
i4 vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or Mazda MX-5 better?
The BMW i4 is better for daily Malaysian use, with five seats, a 470-litre boot and 500 km claimed range. The Mazda MX-5 is better if you specifically want a 1,119 kg convertible and six-speed manual.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM294,800 and the Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154, so the BMW is RM646 more expensive.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The BMW i4 has lower annual road tax at RM305, compared with RM379 for the Mazda MX-5.
