Verdict
At RM294,154, the Mazda MX-5 is the far smaller two-seat choice, with a 1,998 cc 181 hp petrol engine, six-speed manual and 130-litre boot. The RM648,888 Mercedes-Benz EQS costs RM354,734 more, but brings five seats, a 610-litre boot and a 107.8-kWh battery rated for 782 km. Malaysian buyers needing rear passengers, luggage capacity and EV range have a clear EQS case; the MX-5 suits those who prioritise compact dimensions, a manual gearbox and lower outlay.
MX-5
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a 1,119-kg two-seat convertible with a six-speed manual and can live with a 130-litre boot.
EQS
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQS if you need five seats, 610 litres of luggage space and 782 km of claimed electric range.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Mercedes-Benz EQS RM648,888.
- Powertrain output: Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm; Mercedes-Benz EQS motor 328 hp and 565 Nm.
- Length: Mazda MX-5 3,915 mm; Mercedes-Benz EQS 5,216 mm.
- Seats: Mazda MX-5 2; Mercedes-Benz EQS 5.
- Boot space: Mazda MX-5 130 litres; Mercedes-Benz EQS 610 litres.
- Weight: Mazda MX-5 1,119 kg; Mercedes-Benz EQS 2,480 kg.
MX-5
- Six-speed manual with rear-wheel drive.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top.
- Five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- Only 2 seats and a 130-litre boot, against the EQS's 5 seats and 610 litres.
- Lane-keeping gives a warning only, while the EQS adds steering correction.
EQS
- 107.8-kWh battery with 782 km of claimed range and 200 kW DC charging.
- Five seats, 610-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
- Adaptive LED matrix headlamps, 360-degree camera and auto parking.
- Costs RM354,734 more than the MX-5.
- At 2,480 kg, it is 1,361 kg heavier than the 1,119-kg MX-5.
- Its four-year manufacturer warranty is one year shorter, though it has unlimited mileage versus Mazda's 100,000-km limit.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154✓ | RM648,888 |
| Body type | Convertible | Sedan |
| Segment | Sports Car | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM395 |
| 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 | — | 328 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 565 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 107.8 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 782 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11.0 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 200.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 5,216 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,926 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,512 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 3,210 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 2,480 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | — |
| Doors | 2 | 4 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 610 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 265/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 265/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 21" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 21" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | AIRMATIC with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side, Rear Seat Belt Bag |
| 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (up to 130 km/h) and Evasive Steering Assist (up to 108 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Pre-Safe, Pre-Safe Impulse Side, Driver Attention Monitor with Eye Tracking |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | — | Power-adjustable Rear Seats, Heated and Ventilated, 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 6 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 1 front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System | 17.7" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 12.3" OLED Touchscreen for Front Passenger; 11.6" Rear Entertainment Displays; 7" Rear Android Tablet; 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D Surround Sound System |
| 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Front and Rear MBUX Interior Assistant, Fingerprint Scanner, Front and Rear Qi Wireless Chargers, Rear Wireless Headsets |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 10 Years/250,000 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 & EQS for sale
MX-5 vs EQS FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Mercedes-Benz EQS better?
The EQS is better for passengers, luggage capacity and electric range, with five seats, a 610-litre boot and 782 km of claimed range. Choose the MX-5 for its compact 3,915-mm length, manual gearbox and much lower purchase price.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS costs RM354,734 more than the Mazda MX-5: RM648,888 versus RM294,154.
Which is more practical for carrying passengers and luggage?
The EQS is decisively more practical. It has five seats and a 610-litre boot, while the MX-5 has two seats and 130 litres of luggage space.