Nearly a decade into its current generation, the Mazda MX-5 Miata retains the roadster’s enduring appeal. Despite a few caveats, it’s the most driving fun available for the lowest price.
A small, two-seat convertible, the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata is available in Sport, Club and Grand Touring trims. All choices are rear-wheel drive and powered by 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engines with 181 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is standard; a six-speed automatic is optional with the Grand Touring trim. Mazda also offers a retractable hardtop RF.
The Miata debuted in 1989 and it didn’t take long to attract attention. A model year later, the sports car achieved its still-best annual sales of 36,000. Since the fourth generation was unveiled in 2016, annual sales have remained a mystery, a wicked downturn one year, a surprising surge in sales the next year.
Nearly 19,000 Miatas sold in 2006, but only half as many three years later. In 2014, a record-low of 4,745 Miatas were purchased. Last year, 8,973 were sold, a 32 percent increase from 2022.
Many manufacturers have offered Miata rivals, but not many remain. Consider the past and present: the Fiat Barchetta, Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ, Lotus Elan/Kia Elan, Honda S2000, Alfa Romeo GTV/Spider, Suzuki Cappuccino, Fiat/Abarth 124 Spider, Toyota MR-2/MR-S and Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky.
Sports cars aren’t often gas efficient, but the MX-5 Miata gets that right. It’s rated at 26 miles per gallon in city driving, 34 mpg on the freeway. It’s the top tally in the segment. Acceleration from 0-to-60 miles per hour takes about six seconds with a slight variance among trims.
The Miata’s soft top functions with ease. Pull a small switch between near the rearview mirror, a hook is released and the black cloth top folds easily in a few seconds. It locks in place flush with a firm push. Re-closing the top requires releasing a lever between the seats’ backrests, unfolding the top and re-latching its center hooks.
The Club trim is loaded and the sportiest offering. Standard-performance features include 17-inch black alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, shock tower brace, limited-slip differential, track mode for stability control system and a black front lip and rear spoiler.
Mazda does the interior right with an upper door panel trim in the same exterior color, gray contrast-color seat stitching, heated seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, satellite radio and a nine-speaker Bose audio system.
The Brembo/BBS Recaro package includes Brembo front brakes with red front and rear calipers, dark gray-forged alloy BBS wheels and aerodynamic body kit and heated Recaro sport seats.
Driving the Miata in city situations is a treat. Parking is simplified, maneuvering through traffic and touring the neighborhood while low to the ground makes the experience less stressful. It’s sporty driving even at low speeds, a likely oxymoron for purists who would prefer to shift through gears on windy roads.
And who wouldn’t want to? It’s what sports cars do best. But there are considerations. The Miata is difficult to enter and exit, and it’s likely a tight fit for anyone taller than 5-foot-9 and weighing more than 150 pounds. The Miata with the top down is noisy and it’s not much better with the top intact. Every bump is felt. Shifting isn’t smooth.
But that’s mostly the point. Driving the Miata is for drivers who like the experience of driving. There’s no luxury involved, unless defined as the combined joy and challenge of driving. For about $35,000, there’s no better choice.
James Raia, a syndicated automotive columnist and author in Sacramento, also contributes sports, lifestyle, business and travel content to several print and online publications. Email: [email protected].
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