Mazda MX-5 vs Volvo ES90
Verdict
At RM294,154 versus RM339,888, the Mazda MX-5 is RM45,734 cheaper and gives you the purer driver’s layout: petrol engine, manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and a 220 km/h top speed. But it is a strict two-seater with 130 litres of boot space. The Volvo ES90 costs more, yet brings 329 hp, five seats, 424 litres of boot space, 9 airbags and a 92.0 kWh battery with 651 km of EV range. For a Malaysian buyer using one car daily, the Volvo is far easier to live with.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a two-seat convertible with a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and a lower RM294,154 price.
Pick the Volvo ES90 if you need five seats, a much larger boot and 651 km of electric range.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Volvo ES90 RM339,888
- Power: Mazda MX-5 181 hp; Volvo ES90 329 hp
- Seats: Mazda MX-5 2; Volvo ES90 5
- Boot space: Mazda MX-5 130 L; Volvo ES90 424 L
- Top speed: Mazda MX-5 220 km/h; Volvo ES90 180 km/h
- Length: Mazda MX-5 3,915 mm; Volvo ES90 5,000 mm
MX-5
- Manual rear-wheel-drive layout
- Lower purchase price
- Higher 220 km/h top speed
- Only two seats
- Small 130-litre boot
- 4 airbags versus the Volvo’s 9
ES90
- 329 hp from a single motor
- 651 km EV range from a 92.0 kWh battery
- Five seats and 424 litres of boot space
- Costs RM45,734 more
- Lower 180 km/h top speed
- Much larger 5,000 mm body to place in town
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 294,154✓ | RM 339,888 |
| Body type | Convertible | Sedan |
| Segment | Sports Car | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | — |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Torque | 205 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 329 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 480 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) |
| Battery Capacity | — | 92 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 651 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 350 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 5,000 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,942 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,546 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 3,102 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 2,410 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | — |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 424 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 255/40R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 285/35R22 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Pirelli P Zero E VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 22" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 22" Alloys |
| 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 | — | Active Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain, Dual Front Centre Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Passenger Seat | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | — | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Power Reclining Seats with Ventilation |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | Fixed Glass Roof, Adjustable Opacity |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (1,650 watt) |
| 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| 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/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 395 |
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 ES90 FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Volvo ES90 better?
The Volvo ES90 is better as an only car because it has five seats, 424 litres of boot space and 651 km of EV range. The Mazda MX-5 is better if driving feel matters more than space.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo ES90 costs RM45,734 more than the Mazda MX-5, at RM339,888 against RM294,154.
Which one is more practical for daily use?
The Volvo ES90 is far more practical, with five seats, 424 litres of boot space and a 3,102 mm wheelbase. The Mazda MX-5 has two seats and a 130-litre boot.