Mazda MX-5 vs Subaru Outback
Verdict
This is a proper head-versus-heart split. The Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154, which is RM13,764 more than the RM280,390 Subaru Outback, yet it gives you only two seats and a 130-litre boot. What you get instead is a 1,998 cc petrol engine, manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and a 220 km/h top speed. The Outback is the more useful Malaysian daily: five seats, 522 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive, seven airbags and a larger 63-litre tank.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a two-seat convertible with a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and the higher 220 km/h top speed.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need five seats, a 522-litre boot, all-wheel drive and lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Subaru Outback RM280,390
- Seats: Mazda MX-5 2; Subaru Outback 5
- Boot space: Mazda MX-5 130 L; Subaru Outback 522 L
- Power and torque: Mazda MX-5 181 hp/205 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp/245 Nm
- Driven wheels: Mazda MX-5 rear-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive
- Road tax: Mazda MX-5 RM379/year; Subaru Outback RM878/year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 294,154 | RM 280,390✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | Wagon |
| Segment | Sports Car | D-Segment |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,998 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Power | 181 hp | 185 hp✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm | 245 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Manual | CVT Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | — | 9.6 s |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 130 L | 522 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 45 L | 63 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 878 |
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
- Convertible body
- Higher 220 km/h top speed
- Only two seats
- Small 130-litre boot
- Costs RM13,764 more
Outback
- Five-seat cabin
- Much larger 522-litre boot
- All-wheel drive and seven airbags
- Higher RM878 yearly road tax
- Lower 206 km/h top speed
- CVT automatic only
MX-5 vs Outback FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Subaru Outback better?
The Subaru Outback is better as a one-car daily because it has five seats, a 522-litre boot and all-wheel drive. The Mazda MX-5 is the choice if you specifically want a manual rear-wheel-drive convertible.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154, while the Subaru Outback costs RM280,390. That makes the Mazda RM13,764 more expensive.
Which car is more practical?
The Subaru Outback is far more practical: it has five seats and 522 litres of boot space. The Mazda MX-5 has two seats and a 130-litre boot.