Verdict
At RM294,154, the Mazda MX-5 brings a 1,119-kg rear-wheel-drive layout, six-speed manual and power-folding hard-top for a focused two-seat drive. The Mercedes-Benz EQA costs RM296,888, just RM2,734 more, but answers a very different Malaysian brief: five seats, a 340-litre boot and a 429-km electric range from its 66.5-kWh battery. It also cuts annual road tax from RM379 to RM160. Choose the Mazda for the roof-down sports-car experience; the Mercedes-Benz makes far more sense if passengers and luggage are regular duties.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if a lightweight 1,119-kg rear-wheel-drive convertible with a six-speed manual matters more than rear-seat and boot space.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQA if you need five seats, a 340-litre boot, 429 km of EV range and substantially lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Powertrain and drive: Mazda MX-5 has 181 hp and 205 Nm driving the rear wheels; Mercedes-Benz EQA has a 188-hp, 375-Nm motor driving the front wheels.
- Weight: Mazda MX-5 weighs 1,119 kg; Mercedes-Benz EQA weighs 2,040 kg.
- Practicality: Mazda MX-5 has 2 seats and a 130-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz EQA has 5 seats and a 340-litre boot.
- Energy use: Mazda MX-5 has a 45-litre petrol tank; Mercedes-Benz EQA has a 66.5-kWh battery, 429-km range, 11-kW AC and 100-kW DC charging.
- Top speed: Mazda MX-5 reaches 220 km/h; Mercedes-Benz EQA reaches 160 km/h.
- Safety equipment: Mazda MX-5 has 4 airbags and lane-keeping warning; Mercedes-Benz EQA has 7 airbags and lane-keeping steering correction.
MX-5
- 1,119-kg rear-wheel-drive chassis with a six-speed manual
- Power-folding retractable hard-top
- 220-km/h top speed
- Only 2 seats and a 130-litre boot, versus 5 seats and 340 litres
- 4 airbags versus 7 airbags
- RM379 annual road tax versus RM160
EQA
- 429-km EV range from a 66.5-kWh battery
- 5 seats, 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats and a 340-litre boot
- Active cruise control, head-up display and auto parking
- 2,040 kg versus the Mazda MX-5's 1,119 kg
- 160-km/h top speed versus 220 km/h
- Four-year manufacturer warranty versus five years for the Mazda, although the EQA has unlimited mileage
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154✓ | RM296,888 |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Sports Car | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM160✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 400V 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 | — | 188 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 375 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 66.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 429 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11.0 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 100.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h✓ | 160 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,463 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 2,040 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | — |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 340 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 235/50R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Passenger Seat | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Pre-Safe, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated |
| Rear Seats | — | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient 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 | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | MBUX Interior Assistant, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8 Years/160,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery |
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 & EQA for sale
MX-5 vs EQA FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Mercedes-Benz EQA better?
The MX-5 is better for a two-seat, manual, rear-wheel-drive convertible experience. The EQA is better for daily family duties, with five seats, a 340-litre boot, 429 km of range and lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA costs RM2,734 more than the Mazda MX-5: RM296,888 versus RM294,154.
Which car is more practical for passengers and luggage?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA is decisively more practical. It has five seats, 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats and a 340-litre boot, while the Mazda MX-5 has two seats and 130 litres of luggage space.
