I don't know the secret of Caramilk, but I do know the secret of the MX-5. What makes this car so enjoyable to drive and pleasant in everyday life is its balance. Unlike most manufacturers who focus solely on horsepower, Mazda has always prioritized the power-to-weight ratio. The MX-5 is a lightweight car and therefore doesn't need 300 or 400 horsepower to offer a memorable driving experience. Its 181 horsepower are more than sufficient. Being a very light car, it moves with agility, and you'll be surprised at how comfortable it is on winding country roads. In short, all this to say that the formula used for the MX-5 may be as old as time, but it's the reason why the small convertible from the Japanese manufacturer still enjoys so much success today.
For 2024, the little sports car benefits from some improvements, including a new limited-slip differential, new colors, and new controls associated with the Alexa system.
Range and Price
The Mazda MX-5 is one of the sports cars that offers you the most for your money. The small sports car from the Japanese manufacturer has a starting price of $34,900, and you'll be perfectly satisfied even with the base model. The price can rise to $45,000 with the RF version, which is still very reasonable for a car of this caliber.
Category and Competition
Shopping for a small convertible is not like shopping for an SUV or a truck. Few buyers hesitate between two models since this kind of purchase is often related to a heart's desire. Moreover, the sports cars currently available on the market are so different from each other that it's unwise to compare them. The MX-5 is the kind of car you choose with your heart, and it clearly has everything it takes to charm.
Rivals: Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Mini Convertible, Nissan Z, Subaru BR-X, Toyota GR 86
Design and Technologies
Visual attraction is a subject that the Mazda MX-5 masters gloriously. It's just aggressive and elegant enough to please everyone. It's a car that never fails to turn heads as it passes by. Mazda has also made excellent choices in terms of color options and wheels.
The interior design of the MX-5 is rather minimalist, and that's a good thing since what you want to focus on above all with this kind of car is the driving experience. For the rest, the small sports car from the Japanese manufacturer is very comfortable.
Performance
The first thing to look at when shopping for a sports car is the technical specifications, which is not necessarily a bad thing. However, too many people focus on power and torque. Understand me well, these are important elements, but most buyers forget to consider weight, which can have a considerable impact on a vehicle's performance.
If I talk about all this before elaborating on the mechanics of the MX-5, it's so you understand how numbers don't represent reality for the small convertible from the Japanese manufacturer. It's powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that develops 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. These figures may not be impressive compared to what we see elsewhere, but I promise you it doesn't take more to have fun behind the wheel of the MX-5.
The MX-5 is also one of the few cars that allows you to choose between a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. In both cases, power is directed to the rear wheels. Depending on the gearbox you choose, the average consumption should range between 7.9 and 8.1 L/100 km, which is excellent for a sports car.
Weak Points
The multimedia system is perhaps the biggest weakness of the MX-5. Well, it's also a problem for other models of the brand, but I would say it's less important with the MX-5 since what matters above all here is the driving experience, and the small convertible from the Japanese manufacturer clearly delivers in that regard.
Strengths
The Mazda MX-5 is fun to drive and fuel-efficient. It's also a very comfortable car, and its cargo space is generous for a small convertible. Its road behavior is sound and predictable. Let's say it's a car that doesn't have much to reproach itself for and on which many manufacturers can rely to know where the industry standards are.
Signature Element
The Mazda MX-5 is a true reference in the niche of small convertible cars. It's a car that all car enthusiasts should try at least once in their life.
Final Word
The one formerly known as the Miata has come a long way since its introduction to the market over 30 years ago now. The Mazda MX-5 is one of the few cars I can recommend you buy with your eyes closed, being certain that you'll enjoy it. If I had the means, you can be sure that I would have at least one MX-5 from every generation in my garage to tell you how much I love this car. I know I'm not the only one who thinks this way, and that's why the MX-5/Miata is a car as iconic as it is.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
