GWM Wey G9 vs Mazda MX-5
Verdict
The GWM Wey G9 is the sensible answer if this is one car for family duty: at RM269,800 it undercuts the RM294,154 Mazda MX-5 by RM24,354, yet brings seven seats, AWD, a 44.2 kWh plug-in hybrid battery and 170 km of EV range. The Mazda is the indulgence: two seats, a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and a higher 220 km/h top speed. It is also far smaller, with just 130 litres of boot space, so this is practicality versus driving focus, not a like-for-like size fight.
Pick the GWM Wey G9 if you need seven seats, plug-in hybrid EV running and a bigger boot in one family MPV.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a two-seat convertible with a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and the higher 220 km/h top speed.
Key differences
- Price: GWM Wey G9 RM269,800; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154
- Seats/body: GWM Wey G9 7-seat MPV; Mazda MX-5 2-seat convertible
- Power/torque: GWM Wey G9 148 hp/240 Nm; Mazda MX-5 181 hp/205 Nm
- Drivetrain/transmission: GWM Wey G9 AWD eCVT automatic; Mazda MX-5 RWD manual
- Size: GWM Wey G9 5,050 mm long/3,085 mm wheelbase; Mazda MX-5 3,915 mm/2,310 mm
- Boot/road tax: GWM Wey G9 233 L/RM120 yearly; Mazda MX-5 130 L/RM379 yearly
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 269,800✓ | RM 294,154 |
| Body type | MPV | Convertible |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Seats | 7 | 2 |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,499 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Power | 148 hp | 181 hp✓ |
| Torque | 240 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Manual |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 5.7 s | — |
| Top speed | 190 km/h | 220 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 44.2 kWh | — |
| EV range | 170 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,050 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,985 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,900 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,085 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Boot space | 233 L✓ | 130 L |
| Fuel tank | 58 L | 45 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6✓ | 4 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 6✓ | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | 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.
Wey G9
- Seven seats in an MPV body
- 170 km EV range from 44.2 kWh battery
- Lower RM120 yearly road tax
- Much larger at 5,050 mm long
- Lower 190 km/h top speed
- eCVT automatic, not manual
MX-5
- Manual gearbox with rear-wheel drive
- Higher 181 hp output
- Higher 220 km/h top speed
- Only two seats
- Small 130 L boot
- Higher RM379 yearly road tax
Wey G9 vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the GWM Wey G9 or Mazda MX-5 better?
For family use, the GWM Wey G9 is better: it has seven seats, AWD, a 233-litre boot and 170 km EV range. For a driving-focused weekend car, the Mazda MX-5 is the sharper choice with two seats, RWD and a manual gearbox.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM24,354 more than the GWM Wey G9. That extra money does not buy more seats or luggage space; it buys the convertible body, manual gearbox and rear-wheel-drive layout.
Which one is cheaper to run on road tax?
The GWM Wey G9 has the lower listed road tax at RM120 per year, while the Mazda MX-5 is RM379 per year. The GWM also has a plug-in hybrid battery with 170 km EV range.