Verdict
At RM294,154, the Mazda MX-5 is RM21,446 cheaper than the RM315,600 Toyota GR Yaris and 161 kg lighter, but it is an uncompromising two-seat convertible with a 130-litre boot. The Toyota makes a far stronger practical and performance case: 296 hp and 400 Nm, four seats, 174 litres and all-wheel drive, against 181 hp, 205 Nm and rear-wheel drive. Its 5.2-second 0-100 km/h claim, driver knee airbag and curtain airbags suit the buyer needing one car for more than weekend roof-down runs. The MX-5 remains the focused choice if two seats are enough.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if a 1,119-kg two-seat roadster with a power-folding retractable hard-top, rear-wheel drive and 9-speaker Bose audio matters more than rear-seat utility.
Pick the Toyota GR Yaris if you need 296 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive, four seats and a 174-litre boot in one manual hatchback.
Key differences
- Power and torque: Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm; Toyota GR Yaris 296 hp and 400 Nm.
- Driveline: Mazda MX-5 rear-wheel drive; Toyota GR Yaris all-wheel drive.
- Weight: Mazda MX-5 1,119 kg; Toyota GR Yaris 1,280 kg.
- Seating and boot space: Mazda MX-5 2 seats and 130 litres; Toyota GR Yaris 4 seats and 174 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: Mazda MX-5 17-inch wheels with 205/45R17 tyres; Toyota GR Yaris 18-inch wheels with 225/40R18 tyres.
- Top speed: Mazda MX-5 220 km/h; Toyota GR Yaris 230 km/h.
MX-5
- 161 kg lighter than the GR Yaris
- Power-folding retractable hard-top
- 8.8-inch Mazda Connect and 9-speaker Bose audio
- Only two seats and a 130-litre boot versus four seats and 174 litres
- 181 hp and 205 Nm trail the GR Yaris by 115 hp and 195 Nm
- No front parking sensors or adaptive cruise control
GR Yaris
- 296 hp, 400 Nm and all-wheel drive
- Four seats, 60:40 split-folding rear bench and 174-litre boot
- Front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials with selectable torque split
- RM21,446 more expensive
- 161 kg heavier
- No retractable hard-top
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154✓ | RM315,600 |
| Body type | Convertible | Hatchback |
| Segment | Sports Car | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM207✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,618 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 hp | 296 hp✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | 87 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | 6MT |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Toyota |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h | 230 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 3,995 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,805 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,455 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,560 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 1,280 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 174 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 225/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 225/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Torsen Front and Rear Limited-slip Differential, Performance-tuned Springs, Dampers and Steering, User-selectable Torque Split, Rev Matching |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Passenger Seat | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector |
| 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 Control |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| 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 | 7" Touchscreen Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, AUX and 6 Speakers |
| 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| 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 & GR Yaris for sale
MX-5 vs GR Yaris FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Toyota GR Yaris better?
The Toyota GR Yaris is better as the more usable all-rounder, with four seats, 174 litres of boot space, 296 hp and all-wheel drive. Choose the Mazda MX-5 for the lighter 1,119-kg two-seat convertible format.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota GR Yaris costs RM21,446 more than the Mazda MX-5.
Which car has more safety equipment?
The Toyota GR Yaris has broader passive safety coverage, adding a driver knee airbag plus front and rear curtain airbags. Both cars have ABS/EBD, stability control, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking and lane-departure warning.