Jaguar XE vs Mazda MX-5
Verdict
The Jaguar XE costs RM320,755 against the Mazda MX-5 at RM294,154, so the RM26,601 gap buys a very different kind of car rather than a simple upgrade. The XE is the usable one: five seats, a 450-litre boot, 63-litre tank and 6 airbags. It also has more output, at 200 hp and 280 Nm. The MX-5 is the purer plaything, with two seats, a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and a much smaller 3,915 mm footprint. Both get AEB, rear-wheel drive and a 5-year warranty.
Pick the Jaguar XE if you need a rear-drive petrol car that can still do family, airport and office duty with five seats and 450 litres of boot space.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a manual rear-drive convertible and can live with two seats and a 130-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Jaguar XE RM320,755; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154
- Body and seats: Jaguar XE sedan with 5 seats; Mazda MX-5 convertible with 2 seats
- Output: Jaguar XE 200 hp and 280 Nm; Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm
- Transmission: Jaguar XE conventional automatic; Mazda MX-5 manual
- Boot space: Jaguar XE 450 litres; Mazda MX-5 130 litres
- Size: Jaguar XE 4,672 mm long; Mazda MX-5 3,915 mm long
XE
- Five seats and 450-litre boot
- More power and torque
- 6 airbags plus AEB
- RM26,601 dearer
- Much longer than the Mazda
- Automatic only
MX-5
- Manual rear-drive layout
- Convertible body
- Cheaper by RM26,601
- Only two seats
- Small 130-litre boot
- 4 airbags versus 6
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 320,755 | RM 294,154✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Convertible |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake and exhaust valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 200 hp✓ | 181 hp |
| Torque | 280 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.1 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Electronic Automatic with Jaguar Sequential Shift | 6MT-LSD |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mazda |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 7.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 237 km/h✓ | 220 km/h |
| Co2 | 179 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,672 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,850 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,416 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,835 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | 1,530 kg | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 450 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 205/55R17 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/55R17 | 205/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United Kingdom (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 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) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Emergency Brake Assist | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For all seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 6-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Sunroof | — | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | 2 front, 1 rear | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 front, 2 rear | 1 front |
| Audio | 8" touchscreen navigation system with CD/DVD playback, Aux-in, USB, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity and 6 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 |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/80,000 km free scheduled maintenance | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 380 | 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.
XE vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the Jaguar XE or Mazda MX-5 better?
The Jaguar XE is better as an all-round car because it has five seats, a 450-litre boot, more power and 6 airbags. The Mazda MX-5 is better if the priority is a manual rear-drive convertible.
What is the price difference?
The Jaguar XE is RM26,601 more expensive than the Mazda MX-5.
Which is more practical for daily use?
The Jaguar XE is far more practical: it has five seats, a 450-litre boot and a 63-litre fuel tank. The Mazda MX-5 has two seats, a 130-litre boot and a 45-litre tank.