Denza D9 vs Mazda MX-5
Verdict
These two sit almost on the same money, but they solve opposite problems. The Denza D9 is the transport tool: seven seats, a 410-litre boot, 308 hp and a 103.4 kWh battery good for 520 km. It is also huge at 5,250 mm long. The Mazda MX-5 is the indulgence: two seats, rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox and a 220 km/h top speed, but only 130 litres of boot space. For Malaysian family duty, the D9 is far easier to justify.
Pick the Denza D9 if you need seven seats, 520 km of EV range and far more luggage space than a two-seat roadster can give.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a manual, rear-wheel-drive convertible and can live with just two seats and 130 litres of boot space.
Key differences
- Price: Denza D9 RM299,000; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154
- Seats: Denza D9 7; Mazda MX-5 2
- Power: Denza D9 308 hp; Mazda MX-5 181 hp
- Boot space: Denza D9 410 L; Mazda MX-5 130 L
- Length: Denza D9 5,250 mm; Mazda MX-5 3,915 mm
- Warranty: Denza D9 6 years; Mazda MX-5 5 years
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 299,000 | RM 294,154✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Convertible |
| Segment | D-Segment | Sports Car |
| Seats | 7 | 2 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Engine | Single motor | 1,998 cc |
| Power | 308 hp✓ | 181 hp |
| Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 9.5 s | — |
| Top speed | — | 220 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 103.4 kWh | — |
| EV range | 520 km | — |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 410 L✓ | 130 L |
| Fuel tank | — | 45 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8✓ | 4 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 6✓ | 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.
D9
- Seven-seat cabin
- 520 km EV range
- 410-litre boot
- Very large 5,250 mm body
- Front-wheel drive only
- Costs RM4,846 more
MX-5
- Manual gearbox
- Rear-wheel drive
- 220 km/h top speed
- Two seats only
- Tiny 130-litre boot
- Four airbags versus eight in the Denza D9
D9 vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the Denza D9 or Mazda MX-5 better?
For family use, the Denza D9 is better: it has seven seats, 410 litres of boot space and 520 km of EV range. The Mazda MX-5 is better only if you prioritise a manual, rear-wheel-drive convertible driving experience.
What is the price difference?
The Denza D9 costs RM4,846 more than the Mazda MX-5, with prices at RM299,000 and RM294,154 respectively.
Which has more space?
The Denza D9 has far more space: seven seats and a 410-litre boot. The Mazda MX-5 has two seats and a 130-litre boot, so it is the car for weekend driving rather than carrying people or luggage.