Verdict
At RM294,154, the Mazda MX-5 costs RM2,734 less than the RM296,888 Mercedes-Benz EQA, but these are radically different answers to Malaysian motoring. The 1,119-kg, rear-wheel-drive MX-5 pairs 181 hp and 205 Nm with a six-speed manual and a power-folding hard-top; it is the focused two-seater choice. The EQA is the daily-family tool: five seats, a 340-litre boot and 429 km of EV range from its 66.5-kWh battery. Its 188-hp, 375-Nm motor, 100-kW DC charging and much richer driver-assistance kit make the modest price gap easy to justify if charging suits your routine.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if a 1,119-kg rear-wheel-drive convertible with a six-speed manual matters more than rear seats, boot room and EV range.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQA if you need five seats, a 340-litre boot, 429 km of electric range and active driver assistance for only RM2,734 more.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Mercedes-Benz EQA RM296,888.
- Powertrain: Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm from a 1,998-cc petrol engine; Mercedes-Benz EQA 188 hp and 375 Nm from one electric motor.
- Size and weight: Mazda MX-5 is 3,915 mm long and 1,119 kg; Mercedes-Benz EQA is 4,463 mm long and 2,040 kg.
- Seating and boot space: Mazda MX-5 has 2 seats and a 130-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz EQA has 5 seats and a 340-litre boot.
- Energy use: Mazda MX-5 has a 45-litre petrol tank; Mercedes-Benz EQA has a 66.5-kWh battery, 429 km range, 11-kW AC and 100-kW DC charging.
- Driver assistance: Mazda MX-5 has lane-keeping warning only and passive cruise control; Mercedes-Benz EQA has steering correction and active cruise control.
MX-5
- Rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual gearbox.
- 921 kg lighter than the EQA.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top and 9-speaker Bose audio.
- Only 2 seats and a 130-litre boot, against the EQA's 5 seats and 340 litres.
- Lane-keeping only warns rather than providing the EQA's steering correction.
- Single-zone climate control and manual front-seat adjustment.
EQA
- Five seats, 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats and a 340-litre boot.
- 66.5-kWh battery with 429 km range, plus 11-kW AC and 100-kW DC charging.
- Active cruise control, auto parking, head-up display and adaptive LED headlamps.
- RM2,734 dearer than the MX-5.
- At 2,040 kg, it is 921 kg heavier than the MX-5.
- 160 km/h top speed versus the MX-5's 220 km/h, and a four-year manufacturer warranty versus five years.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154✓ | RM296,888 |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Sports Car | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM160✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Torque | 205 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 188 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 375 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 66.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 429 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11.0 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 100.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h✓ | 160 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,463 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 2,040 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | — |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 340 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 235/50R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Passenger, Driver 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, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Pre-Safe, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projectors |
| 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, Heated |
| 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 | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 front | 2 Front |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 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 | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | MBUX Interior Assistant, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8 Years/160,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery |
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 & EQA for sale
MX-5 vs EQA FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Mercedes-Benz EQA better?
The EQA is better as a practical five-seat EV, with 429 km range, 340 litres of boot space and active assistance. The MX-5 is better if you specifically want a lightweight 1,119-kg rear-wheel-drive manual convertible.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA costs RM2,734 more than the Mazda MX-5.
Which one is easier to live with as the only car?
The EQA is easier to use as an only car: it has five doors, five seats, a 340-litre boot, rear air vents and rear USB-C ports. The MX-5 has two seats, two doors and a 130-litre boot.