Verdict
These two serve radically different Malaysian lives. The MIFA 9 carries seven, has a 1,010-litre boot and a 435-km electric range, where the MX-5 has two seats and 130 litres of luggage room. At 5,270 mm long, the Maxus is 1,355 mm longer than the 3,915-mm Mazda, so its space comes with a far larger footprint. The Mazda is the focused choice: 1,119 kg, rear-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and a power-folding hard-top. The Maxus instead brings 241 hp and 350 Nm from its electric motor, plus 120-kW DC charging.
Pick the Maxus MIFA 9 if you need seven seats, a 1,010-litre boot and EV driving with 435 km of range.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a two-seat rear-wheel-drive convertible with a six-speed manual and a 220-km/h top speed.
Key differences
- Price: Maxus MIFA 9 RM269,888; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154.
- Seating and boot space: MIFA 9 has 7 seats and 1,010 litres; MX-5 has 2 seats and 130 litres.
- Size: MIFA 9 is 5,270 mm long with a 3,200-mm wheelbase; MX-5 is 3,915 mm long with a 2,310-mm wheelbase.
- Powertrain: MIFA 9 has a 241-hp, 350-Nm electric motor; MX-5 has a 181-hp, 205-Nm 1,998-cc petrol engine.
- Weight and driveline: MIFA 9 is 3,095 kg and front-wheel drive; MX-5 is 1,119 kg and rear-wheel drive.
- Safety restraint count: MIFA 9 has 6 airbags and 7 three-point belts; MX-5 has 4 airbags and 2 three-point belts.
MIFA 9
- Seven seats and a 1,010-litre boot.
- 435-km EV range with 11-kW AC and 120-kW DC charging.
- Powered sliding doors, powered boot and 360-degree camera.
- 3,095 kg versus the MX-5's 1,119 kg.
- No rear parking sensors, while the MX-5 gets four.
MX-5
- Six-speed manual with rear-wheel drive.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top.
- Lighter 1,119-kg kerb weight and 220-km/h top speed.
- Only two seats versus the MIFA 9's seven.
- 130-litre boot versus 1,010 litres.
- RM24,266 more expensive than the MIFA 9.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM269,888✓ | RM294,154 |
| Body type | MPV | Convertible |
| Segment | D-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM220✓ | 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 | 241 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 350 Nm | — |
| EV Range | 435 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 120 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 | 9.2 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | — | 220 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,270 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 2,000 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,840 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,200 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | 3,095 kg | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 7 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 1,010 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 205/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags) | 4 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three Point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger and outer two second 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 Headlights | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED Tail Lights | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Power Lumbar | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | Sliding and Folding Second Row | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower Control | — |
| Sunroof | Yes | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 1 front |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 8-speaker 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 & Down with Anti-pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | 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 | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Powered Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000 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 MIFA 9 & MX-5 for sale
MIFA 9 vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the Maxus MIFA 9 or Mazda MX-5 better?
The MIFA 9 is better for carrying people and luggage, with seven seats and a 1,010-litre boot. The MX-5 is better for open-top, manual, rear-wheel-drive motoring, but it has only two seats and 130 litres of boot space.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154, which is RM24,266 more than the RM269,888 Maxus MIFA 9.
Can the Maxus MIFA 9 charge quickly on a trip?
Yes. The MIFA 9 supports DC charging at up to 120 kW and AC charging at up to 11 kW, and its quoted electric range is 435 km.
