Verdict
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154, RM25,266 more than the RM268,888 Volvo XC40, yet it is a very different purchase. Its 1,119 kg kerb weight, six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and power-folding hard-top suit the buyer chasing an open-air two-seater. The XC40 answers family duties far better: five seats, 460 litres of boot space and five doors against the Mazda’s two seats, 130 litres and two doors. It is also much stronger, with 263 hp and 390 Nm versus 181 hp and 205 Nm, while its RM428 annual road tax is RM49 higher.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if a 1,119 kg rear-wheel-drive manual convertible with a retractable hard-top matters more than passenger and luggage capacity.
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you need five seats, a 460-litre boot, all-wheel drive and 263 hp with an eight-speed automatic.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Volvo XC40 RM268,888
- Power and torque: Mazda MX-5 181 hp/205 Nm; Volvo XC40 263 hp/390 Nm
- Weight: Mazda MX-5 1,119 kg; Volvo XC40 1,875 kg
- Seats and doors: Mazda MX-5 2 seats/2 doors; Volvo XC40 5 seats/5 doors
- Boot space: Mazda MX-5 130 litres; Volvo XC40 460 litres
- Top speed: Mazda MX-5 220 km/h; Volvo XC40 180 km/h
MX-5
- 756 kg lighter than the XC40
- Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and limited-slip differential
- Power-folding retractable hard-top and 9-speaker Bose audio
- Only 2 seats and a 130-litre boot versus 5 seats and 460 litres
- 181 hp and 205 Nm trail the XC40's 263 hp and 390 Nm
XC40
- 263 hp and 390 Nm with all-wheel drive
- Five seats, five doors and a 460-litre boot
- Active cruise control, auto parking and steering lane correction
- 1,875 kg kerb weight is 756 kg heavier than the MX-5
- 180 km/h top speed is 40 km/h lower
- RM428 annual road tax is RM49 more
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154 | RM268,888✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Sports Car | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM428 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 hp | 263 hp✓ |
| Torque | 205 Nm | 390 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6MT-LSD | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 49 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sport Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| 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 | — | Power safety lock for rear door |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Passenger Seat | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 2 Front |
| 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 | 9" Portrait Android Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| 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 | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| 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 hybrid battery warranty |
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 & XC40 for sale
MX-5 vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Volvo XC40 better?
The XC40 is better for daily passenger, cargo and driver-assistance needs, with five seats, a 460-litre boot and active cruise control. Choose the MX-5 for its manual rear-wheel-drive layout, 1,119 kg weight and retractable hard-top.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC40 costs RM25,266 less than the Mazda MX-5.
Which has more practical cabin space?
The Volvo XC40 is decisively more practical: it has five seats, five doors and 460 litres of boot space. The Mazda MX-5 has two seats, two doors and a 130-litre boot.