Mazda 6 Grand Touring vs Mazda MX-5
Verdict
The Mazda 6 Grand Touring is the sensible Mazda here: RM230,848 buys five seats, a 522-litre boot, 185 hp and a conventional automatic, so it fits daily Malaysian use far better. The Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154 and gives up space for a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and a convertible body. It is smaller, lighter in intent and has a slightly higher 220 km/h top speed, but with only two seats and 130 litres of boot space, it is the indulgence, not the family car.
Pick the Mazda 6 Grand Touring if you need five seats, a 522-litre boot, an automatic gearbox and lower purchase price.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a two-seat convertible with a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive.
Key differences
- Seats: Mazda 6 Grand Touring has 5; Mazda MX-5 has 2
- Boot space: Mazda 6 Grand Touring has 522 L; Mazda MX-5 has 130 L
- Engine and torque: Mazda 6 Grand Touring has 2,488 cc and 250 Nm; Mazda MX-5 has 1,998 cc and 205 Nm
- Transmission and driven wheels: Mazda 6 Grand Touring is automatic and front-wheel drive; Mazda MX-5 is manual and rear-wheel drive
- Size: Mazda 6 Grand Touring is 4,800 mm long with a 2,750 mm wheelbase; Mazda MX-5 is 3,915 mm long with a 2,310 mm wheelbase
- Road tax: Mazda 6 Grand Touring is RM868 a year; Mazda MX-5 is RM379 a year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 230,848✓ | RM 294,154 |
| Body type | Wagon | Convertible |
| Segment | D-Segment | Sports Car |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 2,488 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Power | 185 hp✓ | 181 hp |
| Torque | 250 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 8.2 s | — |
| Top speed | 218 km/h | 220 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,800 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,480 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Boot space | 522 L✓ | 130 L |
| Fuel tank | 62 L | 45 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6✓ | 4 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 868 | 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.
6 Grand Touring
- Five seats make it far easier to live with
- 522-litre boot is much larger
- 185 hp and 250 Nm beat the MX-5 on output
- Higher RM868 yearly road tax
- Front-wheel drive, not rear-wheel drive
- Larger body is less compact in town
MX-5
- Manual gearbox with rear-wheel drive
- Convertible body gives it a different brief
- Lower RM379 yearly road tax
- Only two seats
- 130-litre boot limits luggage use
- Costs RM63,306 more
6 Grand Touring vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the Mazda 6 Grand Touring or Mazda MX-5 better?
The Mazda 6 Grand Touring is better for most buyers because it has five seats, 522 litres of boot space and an automatic gearbox. The Mazda MX-5 is the better choice only if you specifically want a manual, rear-wheel-drive convertible.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM63,306 more than the Mazda 6 Grand Touring.
Which one is more practical for daily use?
The Mazda 6 Grand Touring is much more practical. It has five seats, a 522-litre boot and a 62-litre fuel tank, compared with the Mazda MX-5’s two seats, 130-litre boot and 45-litre tank.