Mazda MX-5 vs Volkswagen Touareg
Verdict
At RM 294,154, the Mazda MX-5 is RM 90,818 cheaper than the RM 384,972 Volkswagen Touareg, and it asks for far less road tax at RM 379 versus RM 1,632 a year. But these two solve very different jobs. The MX-5 is a 2-seat, rear-drive manual convertible with 181 hp and 130 litres of boot space. The Touareg is a 5-seat AWD SUV with 335 hp, 810 litres of boot space and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want the cheaper, smaller 2-seat convertible with a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and lower annual road tax.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you need five seats, all-wheel drive, an automatic gearbox, far more boot space and much stronger outputs.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM 294,154; Volkswagen Touareg RM 384,972
- Seats and body: Mazda MX-5 2-seat convertible; Volkswagen Touareg 5-seat SUV
- Engine and output: Mazda MX-5 1,998 cc with 181 hp; Volkswagen Touareg 2,995 cc with 335 hp
- Torque and drive: Mazda MX-5 205 Nm, rear-wheel drive; Volkswagen Touareg 450 Nm, all-wheel drive
- Boot and tank: Mazda MX-5 130 L boot, 45 L tank; Volkswagen Touareg 810 L boot, 90 L tank
- Road tax: Mazda MX-5 RM 379 a year; Volkswagen Touareg RM 1,632 a year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 294,154✓ | RM 384,972 |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Sports Car | Executive |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,998 cc | 2,995 cc |
| Power | 181 hp | 335 hp✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | — | 6.0 s |
| Top speed | 220 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Boot space | 130 L | 810 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 45 L | 90 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 | 6✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 1,632 |
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
- RM 90,818 cheaper to buy
- Manual gearbox with rear-wheel drive
- Lower RM 379 annual road tax
- Only two seats
- Small 130 L boot
- Much lower 181 hp and 205 Nm outputs
Touareg
- Five seats and 810 L boot
- 335 hp and 450 Nm
- All-wheel drive with conventional automatic
- Costs RM 90,818 more
- Higher RM 1,632 annual road tax
- Much larger 4,878 mm length
MX-5 vs Touareg FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The Volkswagen Touareg is better for space, power and five-seat use. The Mazda MX-5 is better if you want a cheaper 2-seat convertible with a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM 90,818 more than the Mazda MX-5, at RM 384,972 versus RM 294,154.
Which one is more practical?
The Volkswagen Touareg is far more practical, with five seats and an 810 L boot. The Mazda MX-5 has two seats and a 130 L boot.