Verdict
These are radically different RM280k propositions. The Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154, RM13,081 more than the RM281,073 Xpeng X9, yet it is a 1,119 kg, two-seat rear-wheel-drive convertible with a six-speed manual and 181 hp. The X9 is the practical choice by a huge margin: seven seats, 721 litres of boot space and a 535 km EV range from its 94.8 kWh battery. Its 315 hp motor, 450 Nm and 537 kW DC charging also give it much stronger electric-car credentials. Choose the MX-5 only for its compact, manual sports-car format.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if a 1,119 kg rear-wheel-drive roadster with a six-speed manual matters more than seats, luggage space and EV range.
Pick the Xpeng X9 if you need seven seats, a 721-litre boot and a 535 km electric range for RM13,081 less.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda MX-5 RM294,154; Xpeng X9 RM281,073.
- Seating: Mazda MX-5 2 seats; Xpeng X9 7 seats.
- Boot space: Mazda MX-5 130 litres; Xpeng X9 721 litres.
- Length: Mazda MX-5 3,915 mm; Xpeng X9 5,316 mm.
- Power: Mazda MX-5 181 hp and 205 Nm; Xpeng X9 315 hp and 450 Nm.
- Weight: Mazda MX-5 1,119 kg; Xpeng X9 2,750 kg.
MX-5
- Six-speed manual with rear-wheel drive and a limited-slip differential.
- Power-folding retractable hard-top.
- Much shorter 3,915 mm body for tighter spaces.
- Only two seats versus the X9's seven.
- 130-litre boot is 591 litres smaller than the X9's 721 litres.
- No rear air-con, powered front seats or 360-degree camera.
X9
- 535 km EV range from a 94.8 kWh battery.
- Seven-seat cabin with ventilated second-row captain seats and a 721-litre boot.
- 537 kW DC charging, 11 kW AC charging and 3.3 kW V2L.
- At 5,316 mm long, it is 1,401 mm longer than the MX-5.
- At 2,750 kg, it is 1,631 kg heavier than the MX-5.
- 200 km/h top speed is 20 km/h below the MX-5's 220 km/h.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,154 | RM281,073✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | MPV |
| Segment | Sports Car | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM365✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 800V 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 | — | 315 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 450 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 94.8 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 535 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 537 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 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 | — | 8.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,915 mm | 5,316 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,988 mm |
| Height | 1,235 mm | 1,785 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm | 3,160 mm |
| Weight | 1,119 kg | 2,750 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | — |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 721 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 235/50R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension, Rear-axle Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags, Integrated Second Row Seat Airbags, Front Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Passenger Seat | Available on Second & Third Row 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 | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Driver and Front Passenger Powered Seats, Front Seat Ventilation and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | — | 14-way Second Row Individual Captain Seats with Ventilation, 60:40 Split-folding Third Row with One-touch Electric Folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | — | Triple-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Power-folding Retractable Hard-top | Double Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 front, 2 USB-C | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB Second Row, 2 USB Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 1 front | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | Mazda Connect Infotainment System with 8.8" Display, Commander Control Knob, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 9-speaker Bose Sound System | 17.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 27-speaker XOpera 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 Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| 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 | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Surround View |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Front Doors & Rear Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 120,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/160,000 km 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 & X9 for sale
MX-5 vs X9 FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 or Xpeng X9 better?
The Xpeng X9 is better for family transport, with seven seats, 721 litres of boot space and 535 km of EV range. The Mazda MX-5 is the choice for a compact two-seat convertible with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154 and the Xpeng X9 costs RM281,073, so the MX-5 is RM13,081 more expensive.
Which is easier to park in Malaysia?
The Mazda MX-5 is far smaller at 3,915 mm long and 1,735 mm wide, versus the Xpeng X9 at 5,316 mm and 1,988 mm. The X9 counters with six front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera and auto parking.