Introduction

In 1990 Mazda released the first Miata as an entry level sports car that people could actually afford. There are detractors that would say the latest incarnation of the Miata, the Miata MX-5, doesn't have enough horsepower or torque to truly be considered a sports car. However with a mid-mounted engine giving the car exceptional front to rear balance and curb weight of only 2,452 lbs. it certainly drives like one. Plus it's the only affordable sports car that is a convertible. So, if you're thinking about dropping the top on your next ride, come in to Tustin Mazda and see the 2023 Mazda Miata MX-5 and MX-5 RF.

Performance

Powertrain

Mazda offers the same SKYACTIV-G 2.0 L 16 valve 4 cylinder engine on both the Miata MX-5 and Miata MX-5 RF. The Miata is rear wheel drive in all trims and the engine produces 181 hp and 151 lb ft of torque, which you might worry would be a little sluggish, but the low curb weight of this car and the 6 speed manual transmission with a limited slip differential allow for peppy acceleration. If you get the Grand Touring trim on the MX-5 RF model an automatic transmission is also available, however to maximize your driving pleasure we recommend the manual.

Drive

The manual transmission will get you from 0-60 in a speedy 6 seconds. The automatic, even if you shift into sport mode to adjust shift points more aggressively, is closer to 7 seconds. There are steering wheel mounted paddle shifters on the automatic model, but you should get the manual if you really want to control your drive.

Acceleration aside, the Miata MX-5 is compact and low to the ground so you feel like you're going faster than you really are. This is especially true with the top down. You don't realize how insulated you are from the road in today's larger vehicles until you feel the wind through your hair.

One thing to consider in the Miata is road noise. The manual soft top is louder than the power hardtop on the RF model when the roof is up, however you will get a little more road noise with the top down on the RF over the soft top. Both models have stiff suspension to avoid body roll and the precise handling you expect on a performance vehicle. Overall the drive is sporty and exciting and the cabin is comfortable.

Safety

Safety

The 2023 Mazda Miata MX-5 received a 5 star safety rating from ANCAP and includes the i-Activsense suite of safety features. The i-Activsense system offers a host of innovative driver assistance and safety technologies to help avoid collisions, enhance driver awareness and minimize the severity of an impact. These features come standard on all trims.

These include:
- Front and side airbags
- Smart City Brake Support – Reverse (SCBS-R) which monitors the area around the rear of the car while reversing and applies the brakes if a collision is imminent
- Blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert to notify the driver of traffic coming from the sides.
- Driver attention monitoring
- Anti-lock brake system with brake assist
- Lane Departure Warning System

Exterior Design

The 2023 Mazda Miata MX-5 offers a low slung, sleek exterior with a stylish retractable roof. The Miata MX-5 RF is a retractable fastback and the power hardtop offers a little more heft compared to the soft top design. LED headlights are standard across all trims and they incorporate well into the simple lines of the front and rear. Overall this is still a very attractive car regardless of your price point.

Interior Design

Crafted Interior

The Miata MX-5 features hard touch plastic doors and upper dashboard with leather accents and contrast stitching in locations like the arm rest and front dash where you need more comfort. The steering wheel offers both tilt and telescoping to personalize your drive and the rest of the cockpit features little details to make both the driver and passenger comfortable. The Miata MX-5 both looks and feels like a high end sports car should.

Technology

The Mazda Miata MX-5 features an analog driver gauge cluster and a 7” infotainment screen. Unlike many of its competitors, it is not a touch screen. This allowed Mazda to push it forward on the dash and incorporates it better into the driver's field of view. It is controlled by a rotary dial and several shortcut buttons located next to the driver's seat or by voice command. It has a straightforward layout and simple controls to ensure it is easy to use while on the road. Mazda has also added a backup camera.

Seating

The Miata MX-5 features two race inspired leather bucket seats with 3 level heating. This is a small sports car and larger individuals should take a test drive to see how they fit and make sure they are comfortable for extended periods of time.

Cargo

The Miata MX-5 was not meant to haul your luggage. The RF with the retractable fastback offers 4.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk, while the soft top offers slightly more. Mazda also removed the glove box and moved that storage to the space between the two seats. While there will be room for groceries, there isn't room for much else.

Summary

The Mazda Miata MX-5 and MX-5 RF offer an exceptional driving experience, top of the line styling and two different well designed convertible roof options. There is nothing like this car in the same price range and Mazda continues to design the best entry level sports car on the market. You can read more about it here. No matter where in Orange County you're traveling you can trust the Mazda Miata MX-5 to get you there in style. See one today at Tustin Mazda.