Verdict
At RM294,154, the Mazda MX-5 costs just RM1,266 more than the RM292,888 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, but these are radically different buys. The 1,119-kg MX-5 is a two-seat, rear-drive convertible with a six-speed manual and retractable hard-top. The C-Class is the practical choice: five seats, a 455-litre boot and 300 Nm from its 1.5-litre hybrid-assisted turbo powertrain. It is also quicker on paper at 7.3 seconds to 100 km/h, yet the Mazda’s 531-kg weight advantage and manual gearbox make the case for a weekend car.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if a 1,119-kg two-seat convertible, six-speed manual and retractable hard-top matter more than rear-seat space and luggage capacity.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if you need five seats, a 455-litre boot, 300 Nm and the convenience of a nine-speed automatic.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM292,888.
- Power and torque: Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 201 hp and 300 Nm.
- Weight: Mazda MX-5 1,119 kg; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 1,650 kg.
- Seating and boot: Mazda MX-5 two seats and 130 litres; Mercedes-Benz C-Class five seats and 455 litres.
- Dimensions: Mazda MX-5 is 3,915 mm long with a 2,310 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz C-Class is 4,751 mm long with a 2,865 mm wheelbase.
- Road tax: Mazda MX-5 RM379 per year; Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM90 per year.
MX-5
- 531 kg lighter at 1,119 kg.
- Six-speed manual and power-folding retractable hard-top.
- Five-year, 100,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- Only two seats and a 130-litre boot, versus five seats and 455 litres.
- RM379 annual road tax versus RM90.
- 181 hp and 205 Nm trail the C-Class's 201 hp and 300 Nm.
C-Class
- Five seats, 40:20:40 split-folding rear backrest and 455-litre boot.
- 201 hp, 300 Nm and a 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Steering-correcting lane keeping, auto parking and 11.4-inch MBUX touchscreen.
- 531 kg heavier than the MX-5.
- No retractable hard-top; it is a four-door sedan.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus the MX-5's five years.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154 | RM292,888✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | Sedan |
| Segment | Sports Car | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm | 300 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | 78 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 200 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | 9G-TRONIC |
| Gears | 6 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h | 246 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 151 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,820 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 1,650 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 4 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 455 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 245/40R18 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Pirelli Cinturato P7 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-Link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Agility Control Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Passenger Seat | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes (7 to 250 km/h), with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (7 to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind Spot Collision Prevention, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Prevention, Active Bonnet |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| Rear Seats | — | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 1 front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Sun Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Sun Shades |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System | 11.4" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| 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 Activation | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Auto-dimming Mirrors, Qi Wireless Charger, Fingerprint Scanner |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 years |
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.
Used MX-5 & C-Class for sale
MX-5 vs C-Class FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class better?
The C-Class is better for daily transport, carrying five people and luggage, with 455 litres of boot space and 300 Nm. Choose the MX-5 for a lighter two-seat convertible with a six-speed manual.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM1,266 more than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Which has lower running tax?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has lower annual road tax at RM90, compared with RM379 for the Mazda MX-5. That is a RM289 yearly difference.