Verdict
At RM714,800, the BMW i7 costs RM420,646 more than the RM294,154 Mazda MX-5, and they answer very different Malaysian needs. The i7 is the five-seat, four-door choice with a 525-litre boot, 625 km EV range and 536 hp/745 Nm from two motors. Its 195 kW DC charging capability matters for long EV trips. The MX-5 is a 1,119 kg two-seat convertible with a 181 hp, 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and six-speed manual. Buy it for its far smaller footprint and lower RM379 annual road tax, not rear-seat or luggage duties.
Pick the BMW i7 if you need five seats, 525 litres of boot space and a 625 km electric range, and can justify RM714,800.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a 1,119 kg rear-wheel-drive convertible with a six-speed manual for RM294,154.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i7 RM714,800; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154.
- Powertrain: BMW i7 has two electric motors producing 536 hp and 745 Nm; Mazda MX-5 has a 1,998 cc petrol engine producing 181 hp and 205 Nm.
- Range/fuel: BMW i7 has 625 km EV range; Mazda MX-5 has a 45-litre petrol tank.
- Seats and doors: BMW i7 has 5 seats and 4 doors; Mazda MX-5 has 2 seats and 2 doors.
- Dimensions and weight: BMW i7 is 5,391 mm long and 2,715 kg; Mazda MX-5 is 3,915 mm long and 1,119 kg.
- Boot space: BMW i7 has 525 litres; Mazda MX-5 has 130 litres.
i7
- 625 km EV range with 11 kW AC and 195 kW DC charging.
- Five seats, four doors and a 525-litre boot.
- 536 hp, 745 Nm, all-wheel drive and 4.7-second 0-100 km/h.
- RM420,646 more expensive than the Mazda MX-5.
- At 2,715 kg, it is 1,596 kg heavier than the MX-5.
- Annual road tax is RM1,015 versus RM379.
MX-5
- RM420,646 cheaper than the BMW i7.
- 1,119 kg kerb weight, rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top and a 5-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- Only two seats, two doors and 130 litres of boot space versus the i7's five seats, four doors and 525 litres.
- 181 hp and 205 Nm trail the i7's 536 hp and 745 Nm.
- No rear air-conditioning, rear-seat adjustment or front parking sensors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM714,800 | RM294,154✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Convertible |
| Segment | Luxury | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,015 | 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 | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 536 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 745 Nm | — |
| EV Range | 625 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 195 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6MT-LSD |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.7 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 220 km/h |
| 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 | 2,715 kg | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 45 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 205/45R17 |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" M Aerodynamic style 909 M alloy wheels | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Aerodynamic style 909 M alloy wheels | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension, All-wheel steering | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | 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 | 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 | 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 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 Shade, 1x Rear Shade | — |
| 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 | 4 | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | 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 |
| 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 | — |
| 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 i7 & MX-5 for sale
i7 vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the BMW i7 or Mazda MX-5 better?
The BMW i7 is better for five occupants, luggage and electric long-distance capability, with 625 km range and a 525-litre boot. The Mazda MX-5 is better if a two-seat, 1,119 kg manual convertible is the priority.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i7 costs RM714,800 and the Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154, so the difference is RM420,646.
Which one is cheaper to tax each year?
The Mazda MX-5 is cheaper to tax at RM379 per year. The BMW i7 is listed at RM1,015 per year, a RM636 annual difference.