Mazda MX-5 vs Toyota GR Supra
Verdict
At RM294,154, the Mazda MX-5 is the lighter-on-wallet manual roadster, while the Toyota GR Supra sits far higher at RM698,000 and gives you a much bigger 2,998 cc engine. The numbers split them cleanly: 181 hp and 205 Nm plays 383 hp and 500 Nm, with the Supra also getting a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time and more boot space. But both are two-seat, petrol, manual, rear-drive CBU sports cars, so the real choice is open-top simplicity against much harder performance.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a manual rear-drive convertible with a far lower purchase price and RM379 annual road tax.
Pick the Toyota GR Supra if you want the stronger manual rear-drive coupe, with 383 hp, 500 Nm and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Body style: Mazda MX-5 Convertible, Toyota GR Supra Coupe
- Engine: Mazda MX-5 1,998 cc, Toyota GR Supra 2,998 cc
- Output: Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm, Toyota GR Supra 383 hp and 500 Nm
- Top speed: Mazda MX-5 220 km/h, Toyota GR Supra 250 km/h
- Boot space: Mazda MX-5 130 L, Toyota GR Supra 290 L
- Road tax per year: Mazda MX-5 RM379, Toyota GR Supra RM2,125
MX-5
- Convertible body gives it the open-top card
- Much lower annual road tax
- Manual rear-drive layout
- Far less power and torque
- Smaller 130 L boot
- Four airbags versus seven in the Supra
GR Supra
- Much stronger 383 hp and 500 Nm output
- 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Larger 290 L boot
- Costs RM403,846 more to buy
- Annual road tax is RM2,125
- Coupe body lacks the MX-5’s open-top appeal
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 294,154✓ | RM 698,000 |
| Body type | Convertible | Coupe |
| Segment | Sports Car | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 hp | 383 hp✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 11 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Toyota |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 4.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,379 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,854 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,294 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,470 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 1,570 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 2 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 290 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 255/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 275/35R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Michelin Pilot Super Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Austria (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" 5 Twin Spoke Two-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" 5 Twin Spoke Two-tone Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Variable Suspension, Electronically Controlled Limited-slip Differential, Front Performance Rod |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Passenger Seat | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | 8-way Power Adjustable with Driver's Side Memory |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 front | 2 Front |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System | 8.8" Touchscreen Navigation System with Bluetooth, USB, AUX, Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker JBL Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two 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 |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 2,125 |
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 vs GR Supra FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Toyota GR Supra better?
The Toyota GR Supra is better for outright performance, with 383 hp, 500 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The Mazda MX-5 makes more sense if you want a cheaper manual rear-drive convertible.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota GR Supra costs RM403,846 more than the Mazda MX-5.
Which one is cheaper to run on road tax?
The Mazda MX-5 is much cheaper on road tax at RM379 per year, compared with RM2,125 per year for the Toyota GR Supra.