Mazda MX-5 vs Mercedes-Benz EQA
Verdict
At RM294,154 and RM296,888, the Mazda MX-5 and Mercedes-Benz EQA are separated by just RM2,734, but they answer very different needs. The MX-5 is a 2-seat, rear-drive petrol convertible with a manual gearbox, 181 hp and a 220 km/h top speed; it is the purer weekend car. The EQA is a 5-seat electric SUV with 188 hp, a 66.5 kWh battery, 429 km range and 340 litres of boot space. For one-car use in Malaysia, the EQA is far easier to justify.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want an open-top, manual, rear-wheel-drive sports car and can live with 2 seats and 130 litres of boot space.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQA if you need 5 seats, electric driving and a much larger 340-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Mercedes-Benz EQA RM296,888
- Seats: Mazda MX-5 2; Mercedes-Benz EQA 5
- Powertrain: Mazda MX-5 1,998 cc petrol manual; Mercedes-Benz EQA single-motor electric with single-ratio automatic
- Power: Mazda MX-5 181 hp; Mercedes-Benz EQA 188 hp
- Top speed: Mazda MX-5 220 km/h; Mercedes-Benz EQA 160 km/h
- Boot space: Mazda MX-5 130 litres; Mercedes-Benz EQA 340 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 294,154✓ | RM 296,888 |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Sports Car | C-Segment |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Engine | 1,998 cc | Single motor |
| Power | 181 hp | 188 hp✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm | — |
| Transmission | Manual | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | — | 8.9 s |
| Top speed | 220 km/h✓ | 160 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | — | 66.5 kWh |
| EV range | — | 429 km |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 130 L | 340 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 45 L | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5✓ | 4 |
| Road tax / year | RM 379 | RM 160✓ |
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.
MX-5
- Manual gearbox with rear-wheel drive
- Higher 220 km/h top speed
- Longer 5-year warranty
- Only 2 seats
- Small 130-litre boot
- Fewer airbags at 4
EQA
- 5-seat SUV body is more practical
- 429 km electric range from a 66.5 kWh battery
- 7 airbags and AEB
- Lower 160 km/h top speed
- Shorter 4-year warranty
- Front-wheel drive, not rear-wheel drive
MX-5 vs EQA FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Mercedes-Benz EQA better?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA is better as a daily car because it has 5 seats, 340 litres of boot space and 429 km of EV range. The Mazda MX-5 is the better driver’s car if you want a manual, rear-drive convertible.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA costs RM2,734 more than the Mazda MX-5. At this level, the gap is tiny; the real decision is between a 2-seat petrol convertible and a 5-seat electric SUV.
Which car is more practical for family use?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA is clearly more practical, with 5 seats, 340 litres of boot space and a larger body. The Mazda MX-5 has only 2 seats and a 130-litre boot.