Verdict
At RM294,154, the Mazda MX-5 costs RM13,081 more than the RM281,073 Xpeng X9, yet these are radically different tools. The 1,119-kg Mazda is a two-seat rear-wheel-drive convertible with a 181-hp 2.0-litre petrol engine, six-speed manual and 220 km/h top speed. The X9 is the Malaysian family-hauler choice: seven seats, a 721-litre boot, 535 km EV range and 315 hp from its front motor. Its 2,750-kg mass and 5,316-mm length are the trade-off for that space and equipment.
MX-5
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if a 1,119-kg rear-wheel-drive roadster, six-speed manual and retractable hard-top matter more than passenger and luggage capacity.
X9
Pick the Xpeng X9 if you need seven seats, 721 litres of boot space, 535 km of EV range and far more family-oriented equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Xpeng X9 RM281,073.
- Powertrain: Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm from a 1,998 cc petrol engine; Xpeng X9 315 hp and 450 Nm from one electric motor.
- Seats and boot space: Mazda MX-5 2 seats and 130 litres; Xpeng X9 7 seats and 721 litres.
- Length and weight: Mazda MX-5 3,915 mm and 1,119 kg; Xpeng X9 5,316 mm and 2,750 kg.
- Top speed: Mazda MX-5 220 km/h; Xpeng X9 200 km/h.
- Airbags: Mazda MX-5 4; Xpeng X9 9.
MX-5
- Six-speed manual with rear-wheel drive and a 1,119-kg kerb weight.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top.
- 220 km/h top speed, 20 km/h higher than the X9.
- Only 2 seats and 130 litres of boot space versus 7 seats and 721 litres.
- Four airbags versus the X9's nine.
- Warning-only lane keeping versus steering correction.
X9
- 315 hp and 450 Nm, against the MX-5's 181 hp and 205 Nm.
- 535 km EV range, 94.8 kWh battery and up to 537 kW DC charging.
- Seven-seat cabin with powered, ventilated and massaging front seats, plus ventilated second-row captain seats.
- 2,750 kg kerb weight versus the MX-5's 1,119 kg.
- 200 km/h top speed versus the MX-5's 220 km/h.
- At 5,316 mm long and 1,988 mm wide, it takes up substantially more space than the 3,915-mm by 1,735-mm MX-5.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154 | RM281,073✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | MPV |
| Segment | Sports Car | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM365✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 181 hp at 7,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 205 Nm at 4,000 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 315 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 450 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 94.8 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 535 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 537 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 5,316 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,988 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,785 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 3,160 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 2,750 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | — |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 721 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 235/50R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension, Rear-axle Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side) | 9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags, Integrated Second Row Seat Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Passenger Seat | Available on Second & Third Row Seats |
| 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 | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Driver and Front Passenger Powered Seats, Front Seat Ventilation and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | — | 14-way Second Row Individual Captain Seats with Ventilation, 60:40 Split-folding Third Row with One-touch Electric Folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | — | Triple-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | Double Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB Second Row, 2 USB Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 1 front | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System | 17.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 27-speaker XOpera 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 Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Surround View |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Front Doors & Rear Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 120,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/160,000 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 MX-5 & X9 for sale
MX-5 vs X9 FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Xpeng X9 better?
The Xpeng X9 is better for family transport, space and EV capability, with seven seats, 721 litres of boot space and 535 km range. The Mazda MX-5 is the better fit for a two-seat manual convertible experience.
What is the price difference?
The Xpeng X9 costs RM13,081 less than the Mazda MX-5.
Which one has the stronger powertrain?
The Xpeng X9 has the stronger quoted output at 315 hp and 450 Nm, versus 181 hp and 205 Nm for the Mazda MX-5. The MX-5 has the higher top speed, at 220 km/h against 200 km/h.
