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Mazda MX-5 Roadster vs VW Crafter comparison

Compare performance (132 HP vs 177 HP), boot space and price (29,000 £ vs 47,100 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda MX-5 Roadster or VW Crafter?

Mazda MX-5 Roadster vs VW Crafter: Key differences

Mazda MX-5 Roadster

  • substantially cheaper
  • clearly more efficient
  • significantly lighter
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VW Crafter

  • markedly more power
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By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

MX-5 Roadster

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

Mazda MX-5 Roadster is substantially cheaper – starting at 29,000 £ , while the VW Crafter costs 47,100 £ . That’s a price difference of around 18,162 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mazda MX-5 Roadster uses 6.2 L/100km and is clearly more efficient than the VW Crafter with 8.4 L/100km. The difference is about 2.2 L/100km.

Crafter

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the VW Crafter offers markedly more power – delivering 177 HP compared to 132 HP. That’s roughly 45 HP more horsepower.

There’s also a difference in torque: the VW Crafter delivers considerably more torque with 410 Nm compared to 152 Nm. That’s about 258 Nm more.

MX-5 Roadster

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 2 people.

In terms of curb weight, Mazda MX-5 Roadster is significantly lighter – 1,078 kg compared to 2,072 kg. The difference is around 994 kg.

When it comes to payload, the VW Crafter carries considerably more – 2,994 kg compared to 152 kg. That’s a difference of about 2,842 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mazda MX-5 Roadster has only a minor advantage in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £29,000
MX-5 Roadster

Mazda MX-5 Roadster

  • Engine Type Petrol
  • Transmission Manuel
  • Drive Type Rear-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 132 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 6.2 L/100km
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View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

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View detailed analysis

Mazda MX-5 Roadster

The Mazda MX-5 is a featherweight, open-top sports car that turns ordinary roads into a grin-inducing playground thanks to razor-sharp steering and an engaging, tactile gearbox. It won’t swallow the weekly shopping or ski bags, but for anyone after pure driving fun and sun-on-your-face weekends, few cars match its sheer charm and value.

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Reviews Mazda MX-5 Roadster

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VW Crafter

The VW Crafter is a no-nonsense workhorse that makes hauling and running a mobile business feel almost civilized, with a cabin built for long days and smart storage where you need it. It may not turn heads for glamour, but its sturdy build, straightforward tech and reliable manners mean fewer headaches for owners — a van that prefers to earn your trust rather than demand attention.

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Mazda MX-5 Roadster
VW Crafter

Costs and Consumption
Price
29,000 - 34,300 £
Price
47,100 - 68,800 £
Consumption L/100km
6.2 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
8.4 - 13.1 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
140 g/km
co2
220 - 342 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
75 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Roadster
Body Type
Cargo Van
Seats
2
Seats
2
Doors
-
Doors
4
Curb weight
1,078 kg
Curb weight
2,072 - 2,810 kg
Trunk capacity
130 L
Trunk capacity
-
Length
-
Length
5,986 - 7,391 mm
Width
1,735 mm
Width
2,040 - 2,069 mm
Height
-
Height
2,355 - 2,830 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
9,300 - 18,400 L
Payload
152 kg
Payload
1,037 - 2,994 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Diesel
Transmission
Manuel
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
132 HP
Power HP
140 - 177 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.3 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
-
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
90 - 165 km/h
Torque
152 Nm
Torque
360 - 410 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
97 kW
Power kW
103 - 130 kW
Engine capacity
1,496 cm3
Engine capacity
1,968 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,017 - 2,023
CO2 Efficiency Class
E
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
Mazda
Brand
VW
What drive types are available for the Mazda MX-5 Roadster?

The Mazda MX-5 Roadster is available as Rear-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.