Verdict
At RM294,154, the Mazda MX-5 costs RM7,909 more than the RM286,245 Subaru WRX, yet it is the smaller, two-seat choice. Its 1,119 kg kerb weight is 391 kg below the WRX’s, and the power-folding retractable hard-top delivers an experience the sedan cannot. The WRX is the easier Malaysian all-rounder: 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive, five seats and a 411-litre boot make far better use of its lower asking price. The MX-5 counters with front-and-rear autonomous braking and blind-spot monitoring, but practicality is plainly limited.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a 1,119 kg rear-wheel-drive manual convertible with a power-folding hard-top and can live with two seats and a 130-litre boot.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you need 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive, five seats and a 411-litre boot for RM7,909 less.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Output: Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm; Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Kerb weight: Mazda MX-5 1,119 kg; Subaru WRX 1,510 kg.
- Seating and boot: Mazda MX-5 2 seats and 130 litres; Subaru WRX 5 seats and 411 litres.
- Driveline: Mazda MX-5 rear-wheel drive; Subaru WRX all-wheel drive.
- Road tax: Mazda MX-5 RM379/year; Subaru WRX RM767/year.
MX-5
- 391 kg lighter at 1,119 kg.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top.
- Front and rear autonomous braking plus blind-spot monitoring.
- 181 hp and 205 Nm trail the WRX’s 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Only two seats and a 130-litre boot versus five seats and 411 litres.
- Costs RM7,909 more.
WRX
- 271 hp and 375 Nm from its 2.4-litre turbo engine.
- All-wheel drive, five seats and 411-litre boot.
- Seven airbags and a space-saver spare tyre.
- 391 kg heavier than the MX-5.
- Road tax is RM767 per year, against RM379.
- Lacks the MX-5’s blind-spot monitoring and front-and-rear autonomous braking.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154 | RM286,245✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | Sedan |
| Segment | Sports Car | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 hp at 7,000 rpm | 271 hp at 5,600 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 375 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm | 94 mm × 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Subaru |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | 220 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 4 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 411 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side) | 7 (Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags) |
| 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 two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 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 & WRX for sale
MX-5 vs WRX FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Subaru WRX better?
The WRX is better for buyers needing performance, five seats, luggage capacity and all-wheel drive. The MX-5 is the choice for a much lighter rear-wheel-drive manual convertible with a power-folding hard-top.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154 and the Subaru WRX costs RM286,245, so the MX-5 is RM7,909 more expensive.
Which is more practical for daily use?
The Subaru WRX is markedly more practical: it has four doors, five seats, a 411-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats. The MX-5 has two doors, two seats and a 130-litre boot.
