Verdict
These are radically different answers to motoring. At RM96,154 less, the Toyota Urban Cruiser brings five seats, a 306-litre boot and a 426-km EV range, so it is the rational household choice if charging suits your routine. Its 61.1-kWh battery and 67-kW DC charging are central to that brief. The Mazda MX-5 instead is a 1,119-kg rear-wheel-drive two-seater with a six-speed manual, 181 hp and a 220-km/h top speed. Buy it for open-air driving, not carrying people or luggage.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if a light 1,119-kg roadster, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual matter more than rear seats, boot space and EV running.
Pick the Toyota Urban Cruiser if you need five seats, a 306-litre boot, a 426-km EV range and adaptive cruise control for RM96,154 less.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Toyota Urban Cruiser RM198,000.
- Powertrain: Mazda MX-5 1,998 cc, 181 hp petrol engine; Toyota Urban Cruiser one 172-hp, 193-Nm electric motor with a 61.1-kWh battery.
- Driveline and transmission: Mazda MX-5 rear-wheel drive six-speed manual; Toyota Urban Cruiser front-wheel drive single-ratio automatic.
- Size and seating: Mazda MX-5 3,915 mm long with two seats; Toyota Urban Cruiser 4,285 mm long with five seats.
- Boot space: Mazda MX-5 130 litres; Toyota Urban Cruiser 306 litres.
- Top speed and weight: Mazda MX-5 220 km/h and 1,119 kg; Toyota Urban Cruiser 150 km/h and 1,788 kg.
MX-5
- 1,119 kg kerb weight, rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual with LSD.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top and 220 km/h top speed.
- 181-hp, 205-Nm naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine.
- RM96,154 more expensive than the Urban Cruiser.
- Only two seats and a 130-litre boot, against five seats and 306 litres.
- Warning-only lane keeping and passive cruise control, versus steering correction and adaptive cruise control.
Urban Cruiser
- Five seats, 306-litre boot and 40:20:40 split-folding, sliding rear seats.
- 61.1-kWh battery, 426-km EV range, 7-kW AC and 67-kW DC charging.
- Adaptive cruise control, steering-correction lane keeping and a 360-degree camera.
- 1,788 kg kerb weight, 669 kg heavier than the MX-5.
- 150 km/h top speed, against the MX-5's 220 km/h.
- Front-wheel drive single-ratio automatic rather than the MX-5's rear-wheel-drive six-speed manual.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154 | RM198,000✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Sports Car | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Torque | 205 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 172 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 193 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 61.1 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 426 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 67 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h✓ | 150 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,285 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 1,788 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | — |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 306 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | MRF Wanderer Ecotred |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | India (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 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 | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | — | 40:20:40 Split-folding & Sliding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | Front Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient 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 | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-speaker JBL 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 |
| 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 | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Battery, Inverter and PCU |
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 & Urban Cruiser for sale
MX-5 vs Urban Cruiser FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Toyota Urban Cruiser better?
The Urban Cruiser is better for daily family use, carrying five people and EV travel. The MX-5 is better for a buyer who specifically wants a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive manual convertible with a 220 km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM96,154 more than the Toyota Urban Cruiser.
Which car has more practical cabin space?
The Toyota Urban Cruiser is far more practical: it has five seats, 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats and a 306-litre boot. The Mazda MX-5 has two seats and a 130-litre boot.