Verdict
Just RM646 separates these two, but they serve radically different Malaysian buyers. The RM294,800 BMW i4 is a five-seat, five-door electric sedan with a 70.3 kWh battery, 500 km range and 470-litre boot, so it can cover family and luggage duties the Mazda cannot. Its 282 hp, 400 Nm motor also far exceeds the MX-5’s 181 hp and 205 Nm. The RM294,154 Mazda MX-5 counters with a 1,119 kg kerb weight, six-speed manual and power-folding hard-top for a much more focused two-seat drive.
Pick the BMW i4 if you need five seats, a 470-litre boot, 500 km electric range and stronger 282 hp/400 Nm performance.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a 1,119 kg rear-wheel-drive roadster with a six-speed manual and power-folding retractable hard-top.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154.
- Power and torque: BMW i4 has 282 hp and 400 Nm; Mazda MX-5 has 181 hp and 205 Nm.
- Kerb weight: BMW i4 is 2,075 kg; Mazda MX-5 is 1,119 kg.
- Seating and boot space: BMW i4 has five seats and 470 litres; Mazda MX-5 has two seats and 130 litres.
- Top speed: BMW i4 reaches 190 km/h; Mazda MX-5 reaches 220 km/h.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW i4 gets two years with unlimited mileage; Mazda MX-5 gets five years or 100,000 km.
i4
- 500 km EV range from a 70.3 kWh battery
- Five seats and a 470-litre boot
- Adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and auto parking
- 2,075 kg versus the MX-5’s 1,119 kg
- 190 km/h top speed versus 220 km/h
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
MX-5
- 1,119 kg kerb weight and six-speed manual
- Power-folding retractable hard-top
- 220 km/h top speed
- Two seats versus the i4’s five
- 130-litre boot versus 470 litres
- Warning-only lane keeping versus the i4’s steering correction
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800 | RM294,154✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Convertible |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 181 hp |
| Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 13 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 70.3 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 500 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 180 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6MT-LSD |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 220 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 205/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row Seats | Available on Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | — | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 1 front |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker 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 | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
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 i4 & MX-5 for sale
i4 vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or Mazda MX-5 better?
The BMW i4 is better for daily practicality, carrying five people and electric driving, with 500 km range and a 470-litre boot. The Mazda MX-5 is the better choice for a light, manual, open-top two-seat experience.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM646 more than the Mazda MX-5: RM294,800 against RM294,154.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The BMW i4 has lower annual road tax at RM305, compared with RM379 for the Mazda MX-5.