BMW iX2 vs Mazda MX-5
Verdict
At RM283,800 against RM294,154, the BMW iX2 is RM10,354 cheaper yet brings 308 hp, all-wheel drive, five seats, a 525-litre boot and a 417 km EV range. The Mazda MX-5 is the purist opposite: a 1,998 cc petrol convertible with a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, two seats and a higher 220 km/h top speed. For a Malaysian buyer choosing one car to live with, the iX2 has the numbers. The MX-5 is the toy.
Pick the BMW iX2 if you need five seats, 525 litres of boot space, 417 km of EV range and 308 hp in one car.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a two-seat petrol convertible with a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and a 220 km/h top speed.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX2 RM283,800; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154
- Power: BMW iX2 308 hp; Mazda MX-5 181 hp
- Seats: BMW iX2 5; Mazda MX-5 2
- Boot space: BMW iX2 525 litres; Mazda MX-5 130 litres
- Top speed: BMW iX2 180 km/h; Mazda MX-5 220 km/h
- Warranty: BMW iX2 2 years; Mazda MX-5 5 years
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 283,800✓ | RM 294,154 |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | C-Segment | Sports Car |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Engine | Dual motor | 1,998 cc |
| Power | 308 hp✓ | 181 hp |
| Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 5.6 s | — |
| Top speed | 180 km/h | 220 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 64.7 kWh | — |
| EV range | 417 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,554 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,590 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Boot space | 525 L✓ | 130 L |
| Fuel tank | — | 45 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6✓ | 4 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 5✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 335✓ | RM 379 |
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.
iX2
- 308 hp dual-motor EV drivetrain
- All-wheel drive
- 525-litre boot and five seats
- Lower 180 km/h top speed
- Shorter 2-year warranty
- No petrol backup; it relies on EV range
MX-5
- Manual gearbox
- Rear-wheel drive
- Higher 220 km/h top speed
- Only two seats
- Small 130-litre boot
- 181 hp is well down on the BMW
iX2 vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the BMW iX2 or Mazda MX-5 better?
For daily use, the BMW iX2 is better on the numbers: five seats, 525 litres of boot space, 417 km EV range, 308 hp and all-wheel drive. The Mazda MX-5 is better if you specifically want a manual, rear-wheel-drive convertible.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM10,354 more than the BMW iX2. Road tax is close: RM379 a year for the Mazda and RM335 a year for the BMW.
Which one is more practical?
The BMW iX2 is far more practical, with five seats and a 525-litre boot. The Mazda MX-5 has two seats and 130 litres of boot space, so it is much more limited as an only car.