Verdict
These are sports cars at radically different budgets. The RM294,154 Mazda MX-5 costs RM1,588,734 less than the RM1,882,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, while annual road tax is RM379 versus RM6,549. The AMG GT’s 577 hp and 800 Nm, nine-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive put it in another performance class, with a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 3.2 seconds. But the MX-5’s 1,119 kg kerb weight, six-speed manual and power-folding hard-top suit the buyer chasing a smaller, more direct open-air sports car. Its 130-litre boot is restrictive; the AMG GT carries 351 litres.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a RM294,154 convertible with a six-speed manual, 1,119 kg kerb weight and RM379 annual road tax.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT if you want 577 hp, 800 Nm, all-wheel drive, a 3.2-second 0-100 km/h claim and a 351-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Mercedes-Benz AMG GT RM1,882,888.
- Annual road tax: Mazda MX-5 RM379; Mercedes-Benz AMG GT RM6,549.
- Power and torque: Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 577 hp and 800 Nm.
- Transmission and drive: Mazda MX-5 six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz AMG GT nine-speed dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive.
- Body and boot space: Mazda MX-5 convertible with 130 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG GT coupe with 351 litres.
- Length and width: Mazda MX-5 3,915 mm and 1,735 mm; Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 4,728 mm and 1,984 mm.
MX-5
- RM1,588,734 cheaper to buy.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top.
- Six-speed manual and 1,119 kg kerb weight.
- 181 hp and 205 Nm trail the AMG GT’s 577 hp and 800 Nm.
- 130-litre boot is 221 litres smaller.
- Warning-only lane keeping, manual seats and no front parking sensors.
AMG GT
- 577 hp, 800 Nm and a 3.2-second 0-100 km/h claim.
- 351-litre boot and all-wheel drive.
- Digital Light Matrix LEDs, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera.
- Costs RM1,588,734 more and annual road tax is RM6,170 higher.
- Coupe body lacks the MX-5’s power-folding retractable hard-top.
- Four-year warranty is one year shorter than the MX-5’s five-year cover.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154✓ | RM1,882,888 |
| Body type | Convertible | Coupe |
| Segment | Sports Car | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM6,549 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 32-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin-turbocharger and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 3,982 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 hp | 577 hp✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm | 800 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | AMG Speedshift TCT 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 6 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Daimler |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 3.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h | 315 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,728 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,354 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | — |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 2 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 351 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 295/30R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 305/30R21 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Continental SportContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 21" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 21" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | AMG Active Ride Control with Active Anti-roll Stabilisation, Locking Rear Diff and Rear-axle Steering. |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Dual Front Knee Airbags |
| 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 | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | AMG Performance Powered Front Seats with Memory |
| Rear Seats | — | Fixed |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | Fixed Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 1 front | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System |
| 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 Start |
| 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 |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| 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 Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 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 & AMG GT for sale
MX-5 vs AMG GT FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Mercedes-Benz AMG GT better?
The AMG GT is decisively quicker and more extensively equipped, with 577 hp, 800 Nm and all-wheel drive. The MX-5 is the better fit for a buyer prioritising a manual convertible and far lower purchase and road-tax costs.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT costs RM1,882,888, which is RM1,588,734 more than the Mazda MX-5 at RM294,154.
Which has more luggage space?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT has the larger boot at 351 litres, versus 130 litres for the Mazda MX-5. That is a 221-litre advantage for the AMG GT.
