Verdict
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154, RM44,909 more than the RM249,245 Subaru BRZ, yet the BRZ brings 234 hp and 250 Nm against 181 hp and 205 Nm. It is also the more useful Malaysian weekend car: four seats, a 226-litre boot and 60:40-folding rear seats versus two seats and 130 litres. The MX-5 counters with a power-folding retractable hard-top, 170 kg less mass at 1,119 kg and lower RM379 annual road tax against RM767. Choose the Mazda for open-air two-seat driving; choose the Subaru for performance and practicality.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if a 1,119-kg two-seat convertible with a power-folding retractable hard-top matters more than rear seats and outright power.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want 234 hp, four seats, a 226-litre boot and RM44,909 left in your pocket.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Subaru BRZ RM249,245.
- Power and torque: Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm; Subaru BRZ 234 hp and 250 Nm.
- Kerb weight: Mazda MX-5 1,119 kg; Subaru BRZ 1,289 kg.
- Seating and boot space: Mazda MX-5 2 seats and 130 litres; Subaru BRZ 4 seats and 226 litres.
- Annual road tax: Mazda MX-5 RM379; Subaru BRZ RM767.
- Wheels and tyres: Mazda MX-5 17-inch wheels with 205/45R17 tyres; Subaru BRZ 18-inch wheels with 215/40R18 tyres.
MX-5
- Power-folding retractable hard-top
- 170 kg lighter at 1,119 kg
- Smart City Brake Support front and rear
- Costs RM44,909 more
- 181 hp and 205 Nm trail the BRZ's 234 hp and 250 Nm
- Only two seats and a 130-litre boot
BRZ
- 234 hp and 250 Nm from its 2.4-litre boxer engine
- Four seats, 60:40 split-folding rear seats and 226-litre boot
- RM44,909 lower purchase price
- 170 kg heavier than the MX-5
- No autonomous braking system listed
- Annual road tax is RM767 versus RM379
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154 | RM249,245✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | Coupe |
| Segment | Sports Car | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 hp at 7,000 rpm | 234 hp at 7,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 250 Nm at 3,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm | 94 mm × 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 12.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | — |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h | 226 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 226 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front 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 for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| 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 Control |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 front | 2 Front |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two 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 with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 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 & BRZ for sale
MX-5 vs BRZ FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Subaru BRZ better?
The BRZ is the better all-round buy on these figures: it costs less, has 53 hp more, four seats and 96 litres more boot space. The MX-5 is better only if its lighter 1,119-kg body and retractable hard-top are the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM44,909 more than the Subaru BRZ: RM294,154 versus RM249,245.
Which is more practical for carrying passengers and luggage?
The Subaru BRZ is clearly more practical. It has four seats, two ISOFIX rear positions, 60:40 split-folding rear seats and a 226-litre boot. The MX-5 has two seats and 130 litres of boot space.
