Verdict
These are radically different answers to a RM15,154 price gap: the Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154, yet gives you a 1,119 kg, rear-wheel-drive two-seat roadster with a six-speed manual and 220 km/h top speed. The RM279,000 Subaru Outback is the practical Malaysian choice, with five seats, 522 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive and a 63-litre tank. Its 185 hp is only 4 hp ahead, but 245 Nm torque, adaptive cruise control and steering lane correction make it the easier long-distance car. Pick the MX-5 only if open-air manual driving matters more than carrying people or luggage.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a 1,119 kg rear-wheel-drive convertible with a six-speed manual and can live with two seats and a 130-litre boot.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need five seats, 522 litres of luggage room, all-wheel drive and adaptive cruise control for regular Malaysian road trips.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Powertrain: MX-5 181 hp/205 Nm 1,998 cc with six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive; Outback 185 hp/245 Nm 2,498 cc with CVT and all-wheel drive.
- Practicality: MX-5 has 2 seats and 130 litres of boot space; Outback has 5 seats and 522 litres.
- Size and mass: MX-5 is 3,915 mm long and 1,119 kg; Outback is 4,870 mm long and 1,756 kg.
- Running costs: MX-5 road tax is RM379 yearly with a 45-litre tank; Outback is RM878 yearly with a 63-litre tank.
- Driver assistance: MX-5 has lane-keep warning and a reverse camera; Outback has steering lane correction and a 360-degree monitor.
MX-5
- Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and 1,119 kg kerb weight.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top.
- Lower RM379 annual road tax and 220 km/h top speed.
- Only two seats and a 130-litre boot versus five seats and 522 litres.
- 205 Nm trails the Outback's 245 Nm.
- No adaptive cruise control, steering lane correction or 360-degree camera.
Outback
- Five seats, 60:40 split-folding rear bench and 522-litre boot.
- All-wheel drive with 245 Nm of torque.
- Adaptive cruise control, steering lane correction and 360-degree monitor.
- At 1,756 kg, it is 637 kg heavier than the MX-5.
- RM878 annual road tax is RM499 more than the MX-5's.
- Its 206 km/h top speed is 14 km/h lower than the MX-5's.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | Wagon |
| Segment | Sports Car | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 hp | 185 hp✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm | 245 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Subaru |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| 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 Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| 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 | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| 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 | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon 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 and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 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 & Outback for sale
MX-5 vs Outback FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Subaru Outback better?
The Outback is better for most buyers because it has five seats, 522 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive and more driver assistance. The MX-5 is the better choice only for a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive manual convertible experience.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM15,154 more than the Subaru Outback. The Outback also has lower purchase cost, but its yearly road tax is RM499 higher.
Which is better for long-distance family travel?
The Subaru Outback. Its five seats, 63-litre fuel tank, dual-zone air-conditioning with rear vents, adaptive cruise control and 522-litre boot suit family trips far better than the MX-5's two seats and 130-litre boot.