Lexus ES vs Mazda MX-5
Verdict
This is a lifestyle split more than a straight size-up. The Lexus ES costs RM320,888, RM26,734 more than the Mazda MX-5, but gives you five seats, 420 litres of boot space, 10 airbags and a larger 2.5-litre engine with 204 hp and 247 Nm. The Mazda MX-5 is the sharper toy on paper: two seats, rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox, lower RM379 road tax and a higher 220 km/h top speed. For daily Malaysian use, the ES is easier to justify. For driving involvement, the MX-5 has the purer layout.
Pick the Lexus ES if you need a five-seat executive sedan with more boot space, more airbags and stronger output on paper.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a two-seat convertible with rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox and lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus ES RM320,888; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154
- Seats: Lexus ES 5; Mazda MX-5 2
- Engine output: Lexus ES 204 hp and 247 Nm; Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm
- Transmission and driven wheels: Lexus ES conventional automatic, front-wheel drive; Mazda MX-5 manual, rear-wheel drive
- Boot space: Lexus ES 420 litres; Mazda MX-5 130 litres
- Road tax: Lexus ES RM867 a year; Mazda MX-5 RM379 a year
ES
- Five seats make it the practical choice
- 420-litre boot is far larger
- 10 airbags versus the Mazda’s four
- Costs RM26,734 more
- Front-wheel drive and automatic only here
- Higher RM867 annual road tax
MX-5
- Manual gearbox with rear-wheel drive
- Lower RM379 annual road tax
- Higher 220 km/h listed top speed
- Only two seats
- Small 130-litre boot
- Four airbags versus the Lexus’ 10
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 320,888 | RM 294,154✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Convertible |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 204 hp✓ | 181 hp |
| Torque | 247 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | Direct Shift | 6MT-LSD |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.1 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 220 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,975 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,445 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | 1,660 kg | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 420 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/45R18 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/45R18 | 205/45R17 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | McPherson Strut | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side, Rear Cushion Bag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual 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 | Yes | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | Fold-down Centre Armrest with Audio and Air-con Controls | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 Front, 2 Rear | 1 front |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Sun Shade | — |
| Audio | 8" Remote Touch Interface, Lexus Premium Audio CD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth and Pioneer 10-speaker System | 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 Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Smart Card Key | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 867 | 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.
ES vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the Lexus ES or Mazda MX-5 better?
The Lexus ES is better for daily use because it has five seats, a 420-litre boot and 10 airbags. The Mazda MX-5 is better if you want a manual, rear-wheel-drive convertible rather than a practical sedan.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus ES costs RM26,734 more than the Mazda MX-5.
Which one is cheaper to tax every year?
The Mazda MX-5 is cheaper to tax, at RM379 a year versus RM867 a year for the Lexus ES.