Verdict
The LBX has a 59% bigger boot, the MX-5 is 50% more powerful, while the LBX is about 19% cheaper. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 238,888✓ | RM 294,154 |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | B-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,490 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 90 hp | 181 hp✓ |
| Torque | 120 Nm | 205 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 80.5 mm | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 13 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 93 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 185 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Nickel Metal-Hydride | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.0 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | E-CVT | 6MT-LSD |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | 220 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,190 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,825 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,580 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,119 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 36 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 315 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 205/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave ECC300+ | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion beam | 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) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front 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 on 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 |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with nanoe Ioniser | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Sunroof | — | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top |
| Power Sockets | 4 USB-C Ports, 2 12V sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 1 front |
| Audio | 9.8" Multimedia Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound 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 |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | 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 | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on hybrid battery | — |
| Ownership | ||
| 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.