Verdict
These are radically different answers to Malaysian motoring. At RM299,000, the Denza D9 costs RM4,846 more, but brings seven seats, a 410-litre boot and a 103.36-kWh battery rated for 520 km, plus 166-kW DC charging. Its 5,250-mm length is the trade-off for that family space. The Mazda MX-5 is a 1,119-kg two-seat convertible with a 181-hp 2.0-litre petrol engine, six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive; it is the choice for a far smaller, more driver-focused brief, not passenger or luggage duty.
Pick the Denza D9 if seven seats, 520 km of claimed EV range and a 410-litre boot matter more than a compact convertible layout.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a 1,119-kg rear-wheel-drive roadster with a six-speed manual and power-folding retractable hard-top.
Key differences
- Price: Denza D9 RM299,000; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154.
- Powertrain: Denza D9 has one 308-hp/360-Nm electric motor; Mazda MX-5 has a 181-hp/205-Nm 1,998-cc petrol inline-four.
- Size: Denza D9 is 5,250 mm long with a 3,110-mm wheelbase; Mazda MX-5 is 3,915 mm long with a 2,310-mm wheelbase.
- Seating and boot: Denza D9 has seven seats and 410 litres; Mazda MX-5 has two seats and 130 litres.
- Safety coverage: Denza D9 has eight airbags and lane-keeping steering correction; Mazda MX-5 has four airbags and lane-keeping warning only.
- Warranty: Denza D9 has six years/150,000 km plus an eight-year/150,000-km battery warranty; Mazda MX-5 has five years/100,000 km.
D9
- Seven seats and a 410-litre boot
- 103.36-kWh battery, 520-km range and 166-kW DC charging
- Ventilated, massaging second-row captain seats with ottomans
- RM4,846 dearer
- No power-folding retractable hard-top
- Much larger 5,250-mm body
MX-5
- Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and 1,119-kg weight
- Power-folding retractable hard-top
- Lower purchase price and RM379 annual road tax
- Two seats and only 130 litres of boot space
- 181 hp and 205 Nm versus the D9's 308 hp and 360 Nm
- Four airbags versus eight, with lane-keeping warning rather than steering correction
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM299,000 | RM294,154✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Convertible |
| Segment | D-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM335✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 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 | 308 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 360 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 103.36 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 520 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 166 kW | — |
| V2L | 6 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6MT-LSD |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.5 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | — | 220 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,250 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,920 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,110 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 7 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 205/45R17 |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Frequency Selective variable dampers | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags) | 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 | 7 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Middle and Outer Third 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 | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | Second-row Captain Seats with Ventilation, Massaging and Ottoman Support, 60:40 Split-folding Third Row | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Sunroof | Front Single-pane Sunroof, Panoramic Rear Glass Roof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 Wireless Chargers Rear, 4 USB-C Rear | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Rear | 1 front |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shades | — |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Dynaudio Sound 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 and 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 | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | Rear Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Heated and Cooled Compartment, Second Row Tray Tables | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/150,000 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 D9 & MX-5 for sale
D9 vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the Denza D9 or Mazda MX-5 better?
The Denza D9 is better for carrying people and luggage, with seven seats and a 410-litre boot. The Mazda MX-5 is better for a two-person open-top drive, thanks to its rear-wheel drive, six-speed manual and retractable hard-top.
What is the price difference?
The Denza D9 costs RM299,000 and the Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154, so the D9 is RM4,846 more expensive.
Which one has lower running charges on paper?
The Denza D9 has lower annual road tax at RM335 versus RM379 for the Mazda MX-5. The D9 is electric with a 103.36-kWh battery, while the MX-5 uses a 45-litre petrol tank.
