Verdict
These two Mazdas cost remarkably close money: the CX-80 is RM296,610 and the MX-5 RM294,154, a RM2,456 gap. But they serve wholly different Malaysian lives. The CX-80 brings six seats, 258 litres of boot space, AWD and a 17.8-kWh plug-in hybrid battery with 65 km of EV range, but carries RM830 annual road tax. The two-seat MX-5 is 1,223 kg lighter at 1,119 kg, rear-wheel drive and manual, with RM379 road tax. Pick practicality or a focused open-top drive; there is no halfway house here.
Pick the Mazda CX-80 if six seats, AWD, 65 km of electric range and family-car space matter more than low weight and a manual gearbox.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a 1,119-kg rear-wheel-drive convertible with a six-speed manual and far lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda CX-80 RM296,610; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154.
- Powertrain: CX-80 2,488 cc plug-in hybrid with one 172-hp motor and 17.8-kWh battery; MX-5 1,998 cc petrol with no motor or battery.
- Electric range: CX-80 65 km; MX-5 no EV range.
- Seating and boot space: CX-80 six seats and 258 litres; MX-5 two seats and 130 litres.
- Weight and driveline: CX-80 2,342 kg AWD; MX-5 1,119 kg rear-wheel drive.
- Road tax: CX-80 RM830 per year; MX-5 RM379 per year.
CX-80
- Six seats and 258 litres of boot space.
- 17.8-kWh battery, 65 km EV range and 7.2-kW AC charging.
- 360-degree monitor, adaptive cruise control and seven airbags.
- 1,223 kg heavier than the MX-5.
- RM451 more annual road tax.
- Costs RM2,456 more.
MX-5
- 1,119-kg kerb weight with rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top.
- RM379 annual road tax, RM451 below the CX-80.
- Only two seats and 130 litres of boot space.
- No plug-in hybrid motor, battery or EV range.
- Four airbags versus the CX-80's seven.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM296,610 | RM294,154✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM379✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and plug-in hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 189 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 181 hp at 7,000 rpm |
| Torque | 261 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ | 205 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 89 mm × 100 mm | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 13 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 172 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 270 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 17.8 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 65 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.2 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6MT-LSD |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | — | 220 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,995 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,120 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | 2,342 kg | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 6 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 258 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R20 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R20 | 205/45R17 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 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 | 6 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for second row 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 | For All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Heating, Ventilation and Memory Function | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | Individual Captain Seat Middle Row with Heating & Ventilation, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Roof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Middle, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 1 front |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Screen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 12-speaker Bose 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 & 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 |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000-km Free Service, 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 CX-80 & MX-5 for sale
CX-80 vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-80 or Mazda MX-5 better?
The CX-80 is better for carrying people and luggage, with six seats and a 258-litre boot. The MX-5 is the better fit for a two-person open-top manual sports car, weighing 1,119 kg against the CX-80's 2,342 kg.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-80 costs RM296,610, which is RM2,456 more than the RM294,154 Mazda MX-5.
Which has lower running tax, the CX-80 or MX-5?
The MX-5 has lower annual road tax at RM379, versus RM830 for the CX-80. That is a RM451 yearly difference.
