Verdict
These are radically different answers to Malaysian motoring. The Denza costs RM4,846 more, but its 103.36-kWh battery, 520-km quoted range and seven seats make it the practical long-distance family choice; 410 litres of boot space also dwarfs the Mazda’s 130 litres. The MX-5 counters with a 1,119-kg two-seat convertible layout, 6MT-LSD and rear-wheel drive, which suit a buyer who values manual involvement over carrying capacity. Its RM379 annual road tax is RM44 higher than the D9’s RM335, despite the lower purchase price.
Pick the Denza D9 if you need seven seats, a 520-km EV range and 410 litres of luggage room.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a two-seat convertible with a six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive.
Key differences
- Price: Denza D9 RM299,000; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154.
- Seating and doors: Denza D9 has 7 seats and 5 doors; Mazda MX-5 has 2 seats and 2 doors.
- Boot space: Denza D9 410 litres; Mazda MX-5 130 litres.
- Length: Denza D9 5,250 mm; Mazda MX-5 3,915 mm.
- Powertrain: Denza D9 has a 308-hp, 360-Nm electric motor; Mazda MX-5 has a 181-hp, 205-Nm 1,998-cc petrol engine.
- Driveline and transmission: Denza D9 is front-wheel drive with a single-ratio automatic; Mazda MX-5 is rear-wheel drive with a six-speed manual.
D9
- Seven seats and 410-litre boot
- 520-km quoted EV range
- 308 hp, 360 Nm motor with 166-kW DC charging
- RM4,846 dearer to buy
- No immobiliser, while the MX-5 has one
- Front-wheel drive rather than the MX-5’s rear-wheel-drive layout
MX-5
- Six-speed manual with rear-wheel drive
- Power-folding retractable hard-top
- Lower RM294,154 purchase price
- Only 2 seats and 130 litres of boot space
- No rear air-conditioning
- Lane-keeping assist gives warnings only, versus steering correction in the D9
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM299,000 | RM294,154✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Convertible |
| Segment | D-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM335✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 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 | 308 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 360 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 103.36 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 520 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 166 kW | — |
| V2L | 6 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6MT-LSD |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.5 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | — | 220 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,250 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,920 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,110 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 7 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 205/45R17 |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Frequency Selective variable dampers | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Middle and Outer Third 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 | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | Second-row Captain Seats with Ventilation, Massaging and Ottoman Support, 60:40 Split-folding Third Row | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Sunroof | Front Single-pane Sunroof, Panoramic Rear Glass Roof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 Wireless Chargers Rear, 4 USB-C Rear | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Rear | 1 front |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shades | — |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Dynaudio Sound 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 and 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 | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | Rear Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Heated and Cooled Compartment, Second Row Tray Tables | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/150,000 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 D9 & MX-5 for sale
D9 vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the Denza D9 or Mazda MX-5 better?
The Denza D9 is better for family transport, with seven seats, 410 litres of boot space and a 520-km quoted EV range. The Mazda MX-5 is the better choice for a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive convertible with a six-speed manual.
What is the price difference?
The Denza D9 costs RM299,000 and the Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154, so the D9 is RM4,846 more expensive.
Which has more luggage space?
The Denza D9 has 410 litres of boot space, against 130 litres in the Mazda MX-5. That gives the D9 280 litres more luggage capacity.