Mazda MX-5 vs Volvo S60
Verdict
The Mazda MX-5 is the purist choice: RM294,154 buys a 2-seat convertible, rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox, but only 130 litres of boot space. The Volvo S60 asks RM21,734 more at RM315,888 and feels like the grown-up all-rounder, with 5 seats, 391 litres, all-wheel drive and a 314 hp plug-in hybrid powertrain. Its 18.8 kWh battery and 90 km EV range also change the daily-cost equation, while 4.5 seconds to 100 km/h makes it much quicker on paper.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive convertible with a manual gearbox and can live with 130 litres of boot space.
Pick the Volvo S60 if you need five seats, a bigger boot, all-wheel drive and plug-in hybrid running with 90 km of EV range.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Volvo S60 RM315,888
- Seats: Mazda MX-5 2; Volvo S60 5
- Power and torque: Mazda MX-5 181 hp/205 Nm; Volvo S60 314 hp/400 Nm
- Boot space: Mazda MX-5 130 litres; Volvo S60 391 litres
- Drivetrain: Mazda MX-5 rear-wheel drive; Volvo S60 all-wheel drive
- Top speed: Mazda MX-5 220 km/h; Volvo S60 250 km/h
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 294,154✓ | RM 315,888 |
| Body type | Convertible | Sedan |
| Segment | Sports Car | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Engine | 1,998 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Power | 181 hp | 314 hp✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | — | 4.5 s |
| Top speed | 220 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | — | 2.0 L/100km |
| Battery | — | 18.8 kWh |
| EV range | — | 90 km |
| CO₂ | — | 46 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,761 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,431 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,872 mm |
| Boot space | 130 L | 391 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 45 L | 60 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 | 6✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 379 | RM 365✓ |
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
- Manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive
- Convertible body
- Lower price than the Volvo S60
- Only two seats
- Small 130-litre boot
- Less power and torque
S60
- 314 hp and 400 Nm
- Five seats and 391-litre boot
- 90 km EV range from an 18.8 kWh battery
- Costs RM21,734 more
- Conventional automatic, not a manual
- Larger body to park and place
MX-5 vs S60 FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Volvo S60 better?
The Volvo S60 is better for daily use, with five seats, 391 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive and 90 km EV range. The Mazda MX-5 is better if you specifically want a manual, rear-wheel-drive convertible.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo S60 costs RM315,888, which is RM21,734 more than the Mazda MX-5 at RM294,154.
Which car is faster?
The Volvo S60 is faster on paper, with 314 hp, 400 Nm and a 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds. The Mazda MX-5 has 181 hp and 205 Nm; no 0-100 km/h figure is listed.