Verdict
These are radically different answers to a Malaysian buyer’s brief. The RM368,690 Denza Z9 GT costs RM74,536 more than the RM294,154 Mazda MX-5, but carries five people, has a 495-litre boot and 600 km EV range from its 122.49-kWh battery. Its three motors produce 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm for a 2.7-second 0-100 km/h time, against the MX-5’s 181 hp, 205 Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine and six-speed manual. The Mazda is the far smaller, 1,776-kg lighter convertible, but its RM379 annual road tax is a major running-cost advantage over RM9,140.
Pick the Denza Z9 GT if you need five seats, a 495-litre boot and extraordinary 1,140-hp EV performance.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a 1,119-kg rear-wheel-drive convertible with a six-speed manual and vastly lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Denza Z9 GT RM368,690; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154.
- Powertrain: Denza Z9 GT has three motors producing 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm; Mazda MX-5 has a 1,998-cc petrol engine producing 181 hp and 205 Nm.
- Practicality: Denza Z9 GT has five seats and a 495-litre boot; Mazda MX-5 has two seats and a 130-litre boot.
- Weight: Denza Z9 GT weighs 2,895 kg; Mazda MX-5 weighs 1,119 kg.
- Dimensions: Denza Z9 GT is 5,180 mm long with a 3,125-mm wheelbase; Mazda MX-5 is 3,915 mm long with a 2,310-mm wheelbase.
- Road tax: Denza Z9 GT costs RM9,140 per year; Mazda MX-5 costs RM379 per year.
Z9 GT
- 1,140 hp, 1,210 Nm and a 2.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Five seats, five doors and a 495-litre boot.
- 600 km EV range, 122.49-kWh battery and 1,500-kW DC charging rate.
- RM74,536 pricier and RM9,140 annual road tax versus RM379.
- 2,895 kg kerb weight is 1,776 kg more than the Mazda MX-5.
- A 5,180-mm body is 1,265 mm longer than the Mazda MX-5.
MX-5
- 1,119 kg weight and rear-wheel drive with a six-speed manual.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top convertible roof.
- RM379 annual road tax.
- Only two seats and a 130-litre boot, against five seats and 495 litres.
- 181 hp and 205 Nm are far below the Denza Z9 GT’s 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm.
- No rear air-con, rear seats or rear parking camera coverage beyond its reverse camera.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,690 | RM294,154✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | Convertible |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM9,140 | RM379✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 1,000V architecture (e3 Platform) | 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 | 3 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 1,140 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 1,210 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 122.49 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 600 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 1,500 kW | — |
| V2L | 4 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 | 2.7 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 220 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,180 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,990 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,490 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | 2,895 kg | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 495 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R20 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R20 | 205/45R17 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 7 | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Y-spoke Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Y-spoke Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | DiSus-A Intelligent Dual Chamber Air Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Outer Two Rear 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, Memory and Massaging | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | Powered Rear Seats with Extendable Leg Rests | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 Wireless Charger Front, 1 Wireless Chargers Rear, 2 USB Rear | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 1 front |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 17.3" Touchscreen with Google Automotive Services Built-in, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Devialet Sound System, 13.2" Front Passenger Touchscreen | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, e3 Parking | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | All Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Front and Rear Fridges | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-years/160,000 km Drivetrain and High Voltage 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 Z9 GT & MX-5 for sale
Z9 GT vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the Denza Z9 GT or Mazda MX-5 better?
The Denza Z9 GT is better for speed, passenger space and luggage capacity, with five seats, 495 litres of boot space and 1,140 hp. The Mazda MX-5 is better for a compact rear-wheel-drive manual convertible experience and much lower RM379 annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Denza Z9 GT costs RM368,690 and the Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154, so the Denza costs RM74,536 more.
Which is more practical for daily use?
The Denza Z9 GT is decisively more practical: it has five doors, five seats and a 495-litre boot. The Mazda MX-5 has two doors, two seats and a 130-litre boot, and its retractable hard-top prioritises open-air motoring.