Verdict
At virtually identical money, the MINI 5 Door is the more usable Malaysian choice: its 201 hp and 300 Nm turbo engine is backed by a 6.8-second 0-100 km/h time, while five seats and a 275-litre boot suit everyday duties. It also gets active cruise control and a 360-degree camera. The Mazda MX-5 counters with a 1,119 kg kerb weight, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual 6MT-LSD. Its power-folding retractable hard-top is special, but two seats and a 130-litre boot limit its carrying role.
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.
Pick the MINI 5 Door if you need five seats, a 275-litre boot and 300 Nm from a seven-speed dual-clutch hatchback.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; MINI 5 Door RM293,888.
- Power and torque: Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm; MINI 5 Door 201 hp and 300 Nm.
- Transmission and drive: Mazda MX-5 six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive; MINI 5 Door seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive.
- Practicality: Mazda MX-5 has two doors, two seats and a 130-litre boot; MINI 5 Door has five doors, five seats and a 275-litre boot.
- Dimensions: Mazda MX-5 is 3,915 mm long with a 2,310 mm wheelbase; MINI 5 Door is 4,036 mm long with a 2,567 mm wheelbase.
- Manufacturer warranty: Mazda MX-5 gets five years or 100,000 km; MINI 5 Door gets two years with unlimited mileage.
MX-5
- 1,119 kg kerb weight with rear-wheel drive
- Six-speed manual 6MT-LSD
- Power-folding retractable hard-top and nine-speaker Bose audio
- Two seats and a 130-litre boot versus five seats and 275 litres
- 181 hp and 205 Nm trail the MINI's 201 hp and 300 Nm
- Passive cruise control rather than active cruise control
5 Door
- Five doors, five seats and a 275-litre boot
- 201 hp, 300 Nm and a 6.8-second 0-100 km/h time
- Active cruise control, head-up display and 360-degree camera
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus the Mazda's five years
- No power-folding retractable hard-top
- 44-litre fuel tank is 1 litre smaller than the Mazda's 45 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154 | RM293,888✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | Hatchback |
| Segment | Sports Car | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 hp at 7,000 rpm | 201 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 300 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm | 82 mm × 94.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | 7-Speed Steptronic Dual Clutch Sports Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h | 242 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,036 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,744 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,464 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,567 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 44 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 275 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 215/40R18 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Vredestein Ultra |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Slide Spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Slide Spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| 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 | 2 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Passenger Seat | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 front | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Flip Switch |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years |
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 MX-5 & 5 Door for sale
MX-5 vs 5 Door FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or MINI 5 Door better?
The MINI 5 Door is better for most buyers because it has five seats, five doors, a 275-litre boot and stronger 201 hp/300 Nm outputs. Choose the Mazda MX-5 for its rear-wheel-drive manual layout and retractable hard-top.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM266 more than the MINI 5 Door: RM294,154 against RM293,888.
Which is more practical for passengers and luggage?
The MINI 5 Door is decisively more practical, with five seats and a 275-litre boot. The Mazda MX-5 has two seats and 130 litres of boot space.
