Ford Mustang vs Mazda MX-5
Verdict
The Ford Mustang is the bigger, harder-hitting car: RM461,271 buys 313 hp, 432 Nm, four seats and a 408-litre boot. The Mazda MX-5, at RM294,154, is far smaller and simpler, with 181 hp, 205 Nm, two seats, a manual gearbox and a 130-litre boot. For a Malaysian buyer, the RM167,117 gap is not subtle. The Mustang gives you pace and usable luggage space; the MX-5 gives you open-top rear-drive driving with lower road tax and a longer warranty.
Pick the Ford Mustang if you want the stronger rear-drive sports car, need four seats and a 408-litre boot, and are fine paying the higher price and RM641 yearly road tax.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a manual convertible with two seats, lower RM379 yearly road tax, auto emergency braking and a five-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Ford Mustang RM461,271; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154
- Output: Ford Mustang 313 hp/432 Nm; Mazda MX-5 181 hp/205 Nm
- Body and seats: Ford Mustang coupe with 4 seats; Mazda MX-5 convertible with 2 seats
- Gearbox: Ford Mustang conventional automatic; Mazda MX-5 manual
- Boot space: Ford Mustang 408 litres; Mazda MX-5 130 litres
- Safety and warranty: Ford Mustang 8 airbags/3-year warranty; Mazda MX-5 4 airbags/5-year warranty
Mustang
- Much stronger 313 hp and 432 Nm
- Four seats and 408-litre boot
- Higher 233 km/h top speed
- Costs RM167,117 more
- Higher RM641 yearly road tax
- No listed auto emergency braking
MX-5
- Manual rear-drive convertible
- Lower RM379 yearly road tax
- Auto emergency braking and five-year warranty
- Only two seats
- Small 130-litre boot
- Lower 181 hp and 205 Nm
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 461,271 | RM 294,154✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Convertible |
| Segment | Sports Car | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve, DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,261 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 313 hp✓ | 181 hp |
| Torque | 432 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6R80 | 6MT-LSD |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Ford | Mazda |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 9.8 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 233 km/h✓ | 220 km/h |
| Co2 | 225 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,784 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,916 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,371 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | 1,692 kg | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 408 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/40R19 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 205/45R17 |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United States (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Knee and Curtains | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available On Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-xenon projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Seats | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights with Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 1 front |
| Audio | 8.0" SYNC 2 Radio CD/MP3 Player with 9 Speakers | 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | 100,000 km | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 641 | 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.
Mustang vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the Ford Mustang or Mazda MX-5 better?
The Ford Mustang is better for power, luggage space and four-seat use. The Mazda MX-5 is better if you want a manual convertible, lower road tax, auto emergency braking and a longer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Ford Mustang costs RM167,117 more than the Mazda MX-5. That extra money buys a much stronger engine, four seats, a larger boot and an automatic gearbox.
Which one is more practical for daily use?
The Ford Mustang is more practical on space alone, with four seats and a 408-litre boot. The Mazda MX-5 has two seats and a 130-litre boot, so it asks for a lighter packing style.