Verdict
These are radically different cross-shops. At RM685,800, the BMW 7 Series costs RM391,646 more than the RM294,154 Mazda MX-5, but brings five seats, a 525-litre boot and an 87-km EV range from its 18.7-kWh battery. Its 308-hp petrol engine, 194-hp motor and all-wheel drive suit the long-distance executive brief. The MX-5 counters with a 1,119-kg, rear-drive chassis and six-speed manual, plus far lower RM379 annual road tax against RM2,125. Choose space and plug-in running; choose the Mazda for a focused open-top drive.
Pick the BMW 7 Series if you need five seats, a 525-litre boot and plug-in hybrid commuting capability with 87 km of EV range.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a 1,119-kg rear-wheel-drive convertible with a six-speed manual and much lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Powertrain: BMW 7 Series has a 2,998 cc petrol plug-in hybrid with a 194-hp motor; Mazda MX-5 has a 1,998 cc naturally aspirated petrol engine.
- Output: BMW 7 Series makes 308 hp and 450 Nm; Mazda MX-5 makes 181 hp and 205 Nm.
- Driveline: BMW 7 Series is all-wheel drive with an eight-speed automatic; Mazda MX-5 is rear-wheel drive with a six-speed manual.
- Size: BMW 7 Series is 5,391 mm long with a 3,215 mm wheelbase; Mazda MX-5 is 3,915 mm long with a 2,310 mm wheelbase.
- Practicality: BMW 7 Series has five seats and 525 litres of boot space; Mazda MX-5 has two seats and 130 litres.
- Road tax: BMW 7 Series costs RM2,125 per year; Mazda MX-5 costs RM379 per year.
7 Series
- 87-km EV range from an 18.7-kWh battery
- Five seats and a 525-litre boot
- Adaptive air suspension and surround-view camera
- RM2,125 annual road tax versus the MX-5's RM379
- No manual gearbox option against the MX-5's six-speed manual
MX-5
- 1,119-kg rear-wheel-drive convertible layout
- Six-speed manual with limited-slip differential
- Five-year, 100,000-km manufacturer warranty
- Only two seats and a 130-litre boot
- 181 hp and 205 Nm trail the BMW's 308 hp and 450 Nm
- No rear air-conditioning, and manual front-seat adjustment
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM685,800 | RM294,154✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Convertible |
| Segment | Luxury | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125 | RM379✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 308 hp✓ | 181 hp |
| Torque | 450 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 13 |
| Motor Horsepower | 194 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 18.7 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 87 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Automatic | 6MT-LSD |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mazda |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 220 km/h |
| Co2 | 22 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,391 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,544 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,215 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 45 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | — | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | — | 205/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | No | — |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 Airbags (2 Front, 2 Side, 2 Curtain, 1 Driver's Knee) | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | — | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Power Adjustments | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Sunroof | Sky Lounge Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (15 Colours) | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 4 | 1 front |
| Sun Shade | 2x side sunshades, 1x rear sunshade | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Live Cockpit Professional 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 | 4 | 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 with Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | Yes | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 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 7 Series & MX-5 for sale
7 Series vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the BMW 7 Series or Mazda MX-5 better?
The BMW 7 Series is better for passengers, luggage and plug-in hybrid commuting, with five seats, 525 litres of boot space and 87 km EV range. The Mazda MX-5 is better for a light, rear-drive, manual convertible experience.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 7 Series costs RM391,646 more than the Mazda MX-5. That gap buys a much larger five-seat body, 395 litres more boot space, all-wheel drive and a plug-in hybrid system with 87 km of EV range.
Which is cheaper to tax each year?
The Mazda MX-5 is far cheaper to tax at RM379 per year, compared with RM2,125 for the BMW 7 Series. The annual difference is RM1,746.