Mazda MX-5 vs Toyota GR86
Verdict
These two are close on price: the MX-5 is RM294,154 and the GR86 is RM296,000, a RM1,846 gap. The Toyota is the harder-numbered car, with 234 hp/250 Nm, a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time, 226 km/h top speed, four seats, 226 litres of boot space and seven airbags. The Mazda answers with the convertible body, smaller 1,998 cc engine, lower RM379 road tax and AEB, but it is a strict two-seater with 130 litres of boot. For daily use, the GR86’s extra size and cabin flexibility matter.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a rear-drive manual convertible, lower RM379 annual road tax and can live with two seats and a 130-litre boot.
Pick the Toyota GR86 if you want more power, four seats, a bigger boot and the stronger acceleration figure on paper.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Toyota GR86 RM296,000
- Engine output: Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm; Toyota GR86 234 hp and 250 Nm
- Body and seats: Mazda MX-5 convertible with 2 seats; Toyota GR86 coupe with 4 seats
- Performance: Mazda MX-5 top speed 220 km/h; Toyota GR86 0-100 km/h in 6.3 s and 226 km/h top speed
- Practicality: Mazda MX-5 130 L boot and 45 L tank; Toyota GR86 226 L boot and 50 L tank
- Safety and costs: Mazda MX-5 4 airbags, AEB and RM379 road tax; Toyota GR86 7 airbags, no AEB and RM767 road tax
MX-5
- Convertible body with manual rear-drive layout
- Lower annual road tax at RM379
- Gets auto emergency braking
- Only two seats
- Smaller 130-litre boot
- Less power at 181 hp and 205 Nm
GR86
- Stronger 234 hp and 250 Nm output
- Four seats and 226-litre boot
- Quicker claimed performance with 6.3 s 0-100 km/h
- Higher RM767 annual road tax
- No auto emergency braking
- Fixed-roof coupe, not a convertible
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 294,154✓ | RM 296,000 |
| 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 | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 hp | 234 hp✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 12.5 |
| 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 | — | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h | 226 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 1,291 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 226 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| 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 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Rear Limited Slip Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Headlamps |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | — | Foldable |
| 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, 2 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 | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Driver and Passenger One Touch Auto Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 150,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 767 |
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 GR86 FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Toyota GR86 better?
The Toyota GR86 is better if you want numbers: more power, four seats, a bigger boot and a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time. The Mazda MX-5 is the one to buy if open-top driving and lower road tax matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota GR86 costs RM1,846 more than the Mazda MX-5. That small gap mainly separates a four-seat coupe with 234 hp from a two-seat convertible with 181 hp.
Which is more practical for daily use?
The Toyota GR86 is more practical. It has four seats, a 226-litre boot and a 50-litre fuel tank, versus the Mazda MX-5’s two seats, 130-litre boot and 45-litre tank.