Verdict
The BMW iX2 costs RM283,800, RM10,354 less than the RM294,154 Mazda MX-5, yet it is the car that can carry five people and 525 litres of luggage. Its twin motors make 308 hp and 494 Nm, with a 64.7-kWh battery rated for 417 km, so it suits a Malaysian buyer needing one car for daily duties and longer family runs. The MX-5 is a far smaller two-seat convertible with a six-speed manual and 220 km/h top speed. Choose it for open-air, rear-wheel-drive motoring, not practicality.
Pick the BMW iX2 if you need five seats, a 525-litre boot and 417 km of electric range in a 308-hp all-wheel-drive SUV.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a two-seat retractable-hard-top convertible with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX2 RM283,800; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154.
- Powertrain: BMW iX2 has two motors producing 308 hp and 494 Nm; Mazda MX-5 has a 1,998 cc naturally aspirated four-cylinder producing 181 hp and 205 Nm.
- Range/fuel: BMW iX2 has a 64.7-kWh battery and 417 km EV range; Mazda MX-5 has a 45-litre petrol tank.
- Practicality: BMW iX2 has five seats and a 525-litre boot; Mazda MX-5 has two seats and a 130-litre boot.
- Size: BMW iX2 is 4,554 mm long and 1,590 mm tall; Mazda MX-5 is 3,915 mm long and 1,235 mm tall.
- Performance/top speed: BMW iX2 does 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and tops out at 180 km/h; Mazda MX-5 has a 220 km/h top speed.
iX2
- Five seats and a 525-litre boot.
- 308 hp, 494 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 417 km range, 11 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging.
- 180 km/h top speed versus the MX-5's 220 km/h.
- No retractable hard-top roof.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years.
MX-5
- Power-folding retractable hard-top.
- Rear-wheel drive with a six-speed manual and limited-slip differential.
- 220 km/h top speed.
- Two seats and a 130-litre boot versus five seats and 525 litres.
- 181 hp and 205 Nm trail the iX2's 308 hp and 494 Nm.
- No navigation, head-up display or front parking sensors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM283,800✓ | RM294,154 |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | C-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM335✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 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 | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 308 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 494 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 64.7 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 417 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6MT-LSD |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 220 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,554 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,590 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R20 | 205/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Style-873 M Bi-Colour Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Style-873 M Bi-Colour Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Front Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Front & Rear Curtain 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 | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear 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 | Adaptive LED Projector with Automatic High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | — | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 1 front |
| Audio | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and 16-speaker, 464W Harman Kardon 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 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 | 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 | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | No | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 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 iX2 & MX-5 for sale
iX2 vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the BMW iX2 or Mazda MX-5 better?
The BMW iX2 is better as an only car: it has five seats, a 525-litre boot and 417 km EV range. The Mazda MX-5 is the better choice only if a two-seat convertible, rear-wheel drive and manual shifting are the priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154 and the BMW iX2 costs RM283,800, so the MX-5 is RM10,354 more expensive.
Which one is more practical for a family?
The BMW iX2, decisively. It has five doors, five seats, rear air-con vents, ISOFIX on two outer rear seats and a 525-litre boot. The Mazda MX-5 has two doors, two seats and a 130-litre boot.
