Verdict
For Malaysian buyers, the Mazda MX-5 is the purer two-seat choice: its 1,119-kg body, rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual pair with a naturally aspirated 181-hp, 205-Nm 2.0-litre engine. The MINI Convertible costs RM24,734 more, but returns 204 hp and 300 Nm, a 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time, four seats and a 215-litre boot. Its 2,495-mm wheelbase, active cruise control, 360-degree camera and auto parking make it the more useful daily convertible. Choose the MX-5 for the manual drivetrain; choose the MINI when passengers and luggage matter.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a lighter 1,119-kg two-seater with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.
Pick the MINI Convertible if you need four seats, a 215-litre boot and the stronger 204-hp, 300-Nm turbo engine.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; MINI Convertible RM318,888.
- Power and torque: Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm; MINI Convertible 204 hp and 300 Nm.
- Transmission and drive: Mazda MX-5 six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive; MINI Convertible seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive.
- Seating and boot space: Mazda MX-5 two seats and 130 litres; MINI Convertible four seats and 215 litres.
- Airbags: Mazda MX-5 four; MINI Convertible six.
- Wheelbase: Mazda MX-5 2,310 mm; MINI Convertible 2,495 mm.
MX-5
- Six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive.
- Lower 1,119-kg kerb weight.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top.
- Two seats versus the MINI Convertible's four.
- 130-litre boot versus 215 litres.
- 181 hp and 205 Nm trail the MINI Convertible's 204 hp and 300 Nm.
Convertible
- 204 hp, 300 Nm and a 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Four seats and a 215-litre boot.
- Active cruise control, auto parking and a 360-degree view monitor.
- RM24,734 dearer than the Mazda MX-5.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus the Mazda MX-5's five years/100,000 km.
- Front-wheel drive dual-clutch automatic instead of the MX-5's rear-wheel-drive manual.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154✓ | RM318,888 |
| Body type | Convertible | Convertible |
| 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, variable intake and exhaust cam timing, variable intake valve lift, twin-scroll turbo |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 hp at 7,000 rpm | 204 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 300 Nm at 1,450 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | 7-speed Steptronic Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h | 237 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 3,879 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,744 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,431 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,495 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 44 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 215 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | United Kingdom (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Passenger Seat | Available on Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | — | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 front | 2 Front, 2 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, Harman Kardon Sound System |
| 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 & Convertible for sale
MX-5 vs Convertible FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or MINI Convertible better?
The Mazda MX-5 is better for a manual, rear-wheel-drive two-seat sports-car experience. The MINI Convertible is better for everyday use, with four seats, a 215-litre boot, more power and more parking assistance.
What is the price difference?
The MINI Convertible costs RM24,734 more than the Mazda MX-5: RM318,888 against RM294,154.
Which convertible is more practical for passengers and luggage?
The MINI Convertible is decisively more practical. It has four seats instead of two and a 215-litre boot, which is 85 litres larger than the Mazda MX-5's 130-litre compartment.
