Verdict
The MX-5 is the specialist choice: its 1,119 kg kerb weight, rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual put the focus on a two-seat sports-car layout, while its power-folding retractable hard-top gives it convertible appeal. The GLB is RM3,266 cheaper yet carries seven seats, five doors and a 2,829 mm wheelbase against the Mazda’s 2,310 mm. Both list a surprisingly identical 130-litre boot, so the Mercedes’ family advantage is in seating and cabin access, not quoted luggage volume. The Mazda counters with a five-year/100,000-km warranty; the GLB has two years with unlimited mileage.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a 181 hp, rear-wheel-drive two-seater with a six-speed manual and retractable hard-top.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLB if you need seven seats, five doors, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and rear air-con.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Mercedes-Benz GLB RM290,888.
- Seating and doors: Mazda MX-5 2 seats and 2 doors; Mercedes-Benz GLB 7 seats and 5 doors.
- Power and torque: Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm; Mercedes-Benz GLB 161 hp and 270 Nm.
- Dimensions: Mazda MX-5 is 3,915 mm long with a 2,310 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz GLB is 4,634 mm long with a 2,829 mm wheelbase.
- Kerb weight and drive: Mazda MX-5 is 1,119 kg and rear-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz GLB is 1,555 kg and front-wheel drive.
- Warranty: Mazda MX-5 gets 5 years/100,000 km; Mercedes-Benz GLB gets 2 years/unlimited mileage.
MX-5
- 181 hp from a 1,998 cc naturally aspirated petrol engine.
- Rear-wheel drive, six-speed manual and 1,119 kg kerb weight.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top and 9-speaker Bose audio.
- Only 2 seats and 2 doors, versus the GLB’s 7 seats and 5 doors.
- No rear air-con, rear seats or rear USB-C ports.
- Single-zone climate control and manual front-seat adjustment.
GLB
- Seven seats, sliding split-folding second row and split-folding third row.
- 270 Nm turbo petrol engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
- Dual-zone climate control, rear air-con vents and powered front seats with driver memory.
- 161 hp is 20 hp down on the Mazda MX-5.
- At 1,555 kg, it is 436 kg heavier than the Mazda MX-5.
- Two-year warranty is shorter than the Mazda’s five-year/100,000-km cover.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154 | RM290,888✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Sports Car | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM100✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 hp✓ | 161 hp |
| Torque | 205 Nm | 270 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h✓ | 207 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,634 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,663 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,829 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 1,555 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 235/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 235/55R18 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Mexico (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" 5-twin-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" 5-twin-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Passenger Seat | Available for two outer middle row seats, two last row seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | — | 40:20:40 Split-folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 2 Rear USB-C 3rd Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| 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 | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 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 & GLB for sale
MX-5 vs GLB FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Mercedes-Benz GLB better?
The MX-5 is better for a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive manual sports-car experience. The GLB is better for carrying people, with seven seats, five doors, rear air-con and a 2,829 mm wheelbase.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB costs RM290,888 and the Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154, so the GLB is RM3,266 cheaper.
Which has the better warranty?
The Mazda MX-5 has the longer time-based warranty at five years or 100,000 km. The Mercedes-Benz GLB warranty lasts two years but has no mileage limit.