Verdict
At RM294,154, the Mazda MX-5 costs just RM266 more than the RM293,888 MINI 5 Door, yet they answer very different Malaysian needs. The MX-5 is a 1,119-kg, rear-wheel-drive two-seat convertible with a six-speed manual and retractable hard-top. The MINI brings five doors, five seats and a 275-litre boot, against 130 litres in the Mazda, plus 201 hp and 300 Nm. Both carry the same RM379 annual road tax, so choose the Mazda for the open roof and manual layout, the MINI for daily carrying duty.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if a two-seat convertible, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual matter more than rear-seat and luggage space.
Pick the MINI 5 Door if you need five seats, five doors, a 275-litre boot and the stronger 201 hp/300 Nm turbo petrol drivetrain.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; MINI 5 Door RM293,888.
- Power and torque: Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm; MINI 5 Door 201 hp and 300 Nm.
- Transmission and drive: Mazda MX-5 six-speed manual rear-wheel drive; MINI 5 Door seven-speed dual-clutch automatic front-wheel drive.
- Seating and doors: Mazda MX-5 two seats and two doors; MINI 5 Door five seats and five doors.
- Boot space: Mazda MX-5 130 litres; MINI 5 Door 275 litres.
- Dimensions: Mazda MX-5 3,915 mm long with a 2,310 mm wheelbase; MINI 5 Door 4,036 mm long with a 2,567 mm wheelbase.
MX-5
- Power-folding retractable hard-top convertible roof.
- Six-speed manual with rear-wheel drive.
- Five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty and 9-speaker Bose audio.
- Only two seats, two doors and a 130-litre boot versus the MINI's five seats, five doors and 275 litres.
- 181 hp and 205 Nm trail the MINI's 201 hp and 300 Nm.
- No active cruise control, navigation, head-up display or auto parking.
5 Door
- 201 hp and 300 Nm from its 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine.
- Five seats, 60:40 split-folding rear seats and a 275-litre boot.
- Active cruise control, steering-correction lane keeping, auto parking and a 360-degree monitor.
- Its manufacturer warranty is two years, against five years for the Mazda, although Repair Inclusive can extend coverage up to five years.
- No power-folding retractable hard-top roof.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154 | RM293,888✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | Hatchback |
| Segment | Sports Car | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm | 300 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | 7-Speed Steptronic Dual Clutch Sports Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h | 242 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,036 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,744 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,464 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,567 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 44 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 275 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 215/40R18 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Vredestein Ultra |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Slide Spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Slide Spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side | — |
| 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 front | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, 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 Flip Switch |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor |
| 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 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 & 5 Door for sale
MX-5 vs 5 Door FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or MINI 5 Door better?
The MINI 5 Door is the better all-round daily car: it has five seats, five doors, 275 litres of boot space and 300 Nm. The Mazda MX-5 is the pick for a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive manual convertible.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM266 more than the MINI 5 Door. Their annual road tax is identical at RM379.
Which has more luggage space and passenger room?
The MINI 5 Door does. It has five seats and a 275-litre boot, while the Mazda MX-5 has two seats and 130 litres of boot space.