Verdict
These are radically different ways to spend RM294,154 or RM384,972. The RM90,818 gap buys the Touareg 335 hp, 450 Nm, five seats and an 810-litre boot, against the MX-5’s 181 hp, 205 Nm, two seats and 130 litres. It is also the practical Malaysian choice, with all-wheel drive, air suspension and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time. But the Mazda is 963 mm shorter, weighs 1,119 kg and brings a six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and power-folding hard-top. Its RM379 annual road tax is far easier to swallow than RM1,632.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a two-seat convertible with a six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive, while saving RM90,818 upfront and RM1,253 a year in road tax.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you need five seats, an 810-litre boot, 335 hp and the added security of all-wheel drive.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972.
- Power and torque: MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm; Touareg 335 hp and 450 Nm.
- Size: MX-5 is 3,915 mm long; Touareg is 4,878 mm long.
- Seating and boot: MX-5 has 2 seats and 130 litres; Touareg has 5 seats and 810 litres.
- Road tax: MX-5 RM379 per year; Touareg RM1,632 per year.
- Driveline and gearbox: MX-5 rear-wheel drive six-speed manual; Touareg all-wheel drive eight-speed automatic.
MX-5
- RM90,818 cheaper to buy.
- Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and power-folding retractable hard-top.
- RM379 annual road tax.
- Only two seats and a 130-litre boot, versus five seats and 810 litres.
- 181 hp and 205 Nm trail the Touareg’s 335 hp and 450 Nm.
- No adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera or navigation.
Touareg
- 335 hp, 450 Nm and a quoted 0-100 km/h time of 6.0 seconds.
- Five seats, 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats and an 810-litre boot.
- Air suspension, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera.
- Costs RM90,818 more upfront.
- RM1,632 annual road tax is RM1,253 higher.
- At 4,878 mm long and 1,984 mm wide, it needs far more parking space than the MX-5.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154✓ | RM384,972 |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Sports Car | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM1,632 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 hp at 7,000 rpm | 335 hp at 5,300 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 450 Nm at 1,340 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | V 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm | 84.5 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Electronic for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Passenger Seat | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| 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 |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | — | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual rear window blinds |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 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 & Touareg for sale
MX-5 vs Touareg FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The Touareg is better for family use, luggage and driver-assistance equipment: it has five seats, an 810-litre boot and adaptive cruise control. The MX-5 is the pick for a manual, rear-wheel-drive convertible experience at a much lower purchase price and road-tax bill.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM384,972 and the Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154, so the Touareg is RM90,818 more expensive.
Which is cheaper to run in road tax?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM379 a year in road tax, while the Volkswagen Touareg costs RM1,632. The MX-5 saves RM1,253 annually.
