Mazda CX-80 vs Mazda MX-5
Verdict
At RM296,610, the Mazda CX-80 is barely dearer than the RM294,154 Mazda MX-5, but they spend that money very differently. The CX-80 is a 4,995 mm six-seat SUV with all-wheel drive, a 17.8 kWh battery and 65 km of EV range, so it suits a Malaysian family that wants one car for school runs and balik kampung trips. The MX-5 is 3,915 mm long, seats two, has a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. It gives you less space, but the simpler sports-car brief is the point.
Pick the Mazda CX-80 if you need six seats, 258 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive and the 65 km EV range of a plug-in hybrid.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a two-seat rear-wheel-drive convertible with a manual gearbox and a 220 km/h top speed.
Key differences
- Seats: Mazda CX-80 6, Mazda MX-5 2
- Power and torque: Mazda CX-80 189 hp/261 Nm, Mazda MX-5 181 hp/205 Nm
- Drivetrain: Mazda CX-80 all-wheel drive, Mazda MX-5 rear-wheel drive
- Length and wheelbase: Mazda CX-80 4,995 mm/3,120 mm, Mazda MX-5 3,915 mm/2,310 mm
- Boot space: Mazda CX-80 258 litres, Mazda MX-5 130 litres
- Road tax: Mazda CX-80 RM830 a year, Mazda MX-5 RM379 a year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 296,610 | RM 294,154✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Seats | 6 | 2 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Engine | 2,488 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Power | 189 hp✓ | 181 hp |
| Torque | 261 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| Top speed | — | 220 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 17.8 kWh | — |
| EV range | 65 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,995 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,120 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Boot space | 258 L✓ | 130 L |
| Fuel tank | 70 L | 45 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7✓ | 4 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 830 | 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.
CX-80
- Six seats for family use
- 65 km EV range from 17.8 kWh battery
- Larger 70-litre fuel tank
- Costs RM451 more in annual road tax
- Much larger body to park at 4,995 mm long
- No listed top speed
MX-5
- Manual gearbox
- Rear-wheel drive
- Lower RM379 annual road tax
- Only two seats
- Small 130-litre boot
- No EV range or battery
CX-80 vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-80 or Mazda MX-5 better?
The Mazda CX-80 is better as one-car family transport because it has six seats, all-wheel drive and 65 km EV range. The Mazda MX-5 is better if driving feel matters more than space, with two seats, rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-80 costs RM2,456 more than the Mazda MX-5. That small gap buys a far larger six-seat plug-in hybrid SUV rather than a two-seat petrol convertible.
Which is cheaper to run on road tax?
The Mazda MX-5 is cheaper for road tax at RM379 a year. The Mazda CX-80 is RM830 a year, so it costs RM451 more annually before fuel or charging costs.