Some cars need no introduction, and among the top of that list is the Mazda Miata. There are two groups that have strong feelings about the MX-5. One group absolutely loves it, and the other group can't stand it. The group that loves it feel so because of the Miata's lightweight chassis, playful driving characteristics, and the loads of fun you can have behind its wheel. The group that hates it feel so because it won't accelerate as fast as some of the two seaters out there, like the Toyota Supra for instance.
If you've never driven a Miata in the rain, you simply must. It will change whatever you think of it. We got behind the wheel of a 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring to see if it still holds its own, or if it's time for a change.
2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring
- 6-Speed Short-Throw Manual
- Convertible Top
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Weighs 2,341 Pounds
- Trim: Grand Touring
- Model: MX-5 Miata
- Engine/Motor: 2.0-Liter I4 Skyactiv
- Horsepower: 181 @ 7,000 RPM
- Torque: 151 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM
- Drivetrain: RWD
- Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
- Extremely Nimble and Light
- Playful Handling
- High Revving Engine
- Underpowered In The Right Way
- Quality Material
- Tremendously Fun To Drive
- Great Fuel Economy
- Tight Cabin
- Road Noise
High-Revving 2.0-Liter Fun With High Efficiency
The 2022 and 2023 MX-5 Miata sports Mazda's SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with VVT. This engine works collaboratively with a 6-speed short throw shifting manual transmission, and they send the power solely to the rear-wheels. When you opt for the manual transmission, you also get a torque-sensing LSD (limited slip differential) to enhance traction and cornering. The SKYACTIV-G engine delivers 181 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM, with an RPM redline of 7,500 RPM. While the Miata doesn't have the low-end torque you'd get from a turbocharged car, like the 2023 Nissan Z we reviewed, there is a different type of fun you can have in a car that peaks that high up.
Tight Cabin With High Quality Material
When we say the cabin tight, we mean it is very tight. I am 6'2", and while I've always loved the MX-5 chassis, I always struggled to fit in it. This is no different. Legroom is slightly better than anticipated, but there is absolutely no headroom. The best course of action would be to change the seat rails for taller drivers and try to squeeze half an inch of extra headroom. The infotainment system feels outdated, but it offers wireless Apple CarPlay. It's a feature that is still lacking in many modern vehicles, and when you have almost no room for your belongings in the cabin, it pays off to not have to run cables all over.
Once you're situated, however, the driving position just feels right. Your arm positions, back, and legs feel well-positioned, but the rearview mirror blocks a large portion of the windshield. We even asked a 5'10" gentleman to sit in the driver seat, and the mirror was still obstructing his view. The material all around feels nice and refined with no complaints there. Storage will always be a problem in the Miata, but the compartment behind the driver's elbow is plenty large. Again, this isn't a car you'd buy for storage. Overall, the interior of the MX-5 is as small as it's always been, with obvious evolution in material and technology.
Timeless Design That Consistently Improves
Some can argue the first gen NA Miata is the best looking variant, others agree that the current MX-5 has never looked better. Either way, we can all agree that most MX-5 generations looked great (not talking to you, NC), and this gen is the evolution of great looks and design. With sharp headlights, a long hood with just enough curves, and a short trunk with the round portion of the taillights, the MX-5 is certainly a looker. The RF version comes with the retractable hardtop, while our Grand Touring loner had the soft top. Each person would have their own opinion, but true enthusiasts will look for the RF hardtop for additional chassis rigidity. All in all, the result of 34 years of evolution, racing heritage, and a great design team is what you see, and it's hard to criticize it.
Driving The MX-5 Miata Will Bring The Kid Out Of You
It was a rainy day in beautiful sunny California. Everyone is staying home, staying warm, and enjoying a cozy night. This meant the streets were wide open, the rain was splattering off the road, and the asphalt was wet and glossy. The light turned green, and after picking up just enough speed, I threw the short throw shifter in second gear, and I stepped down on the throttle just enough. The MX-5 threw its back-end so effortlessly, and the fun began. The lightweight chassis and the nearly-perfect weight distribution, mixed with a mid-range peak torque and mild power and torque output make the Miata a blast to throw around corners. It's surprisingly not slow, but it's tremendously easy to control. If I did that with the GR Corolla with power distributed dominantly to the rear wheels since we reviewed it last, it would've taken a lot more counter steering and effort to keep it steady.
Lately, we've been reviewing a lot of forced-induced vehicles, like the twin-turbo Cadillac CT4 V-Series, or the supercharged Escalade-V, or even single turbo cars like the Honda Civic Si, and when you get used to having peak torque and power in the low to mid range, you tend to forget how much fun it is to rev a car from here to the moon. The Miata shines when you feel like you've been revving it for a few days. It takes a long time to get close to its 7,500 RPM redline, but if you do your shifting around 7,000 RPM, you will hit the ground running with your next gear, and you will have a tremendous amount of fun. If you are a fan of the Miata, then you've watched it leave Chevy Corvettes behind on tracks in the past. This is simply because it's often known as a momentum car. While a Corvette would get to the finish line by the time the MX-5 is launching on a drag strip/straight line, on circuit courses, the MX-5 requires minimal braking.
Professional drivers wouldn't really need to get on the brakes much around the track, and neither should they, while a 'Vette would have to slam down on the brakes each time there is a corner. Now this is not to say an MX-5 is quicker than a Corvette (it's not!), but in the right hands, it could turn really quick lap times due to its handling, lightweight, and balanced chassis.
Driving the MX-5 for a week was truly a blast. Despite being too cramped in it, despite having a difficult time getting in and out, and despite its lack of storage, once you're rolling, it will remind you of the go-karting days when you were a kid. You can simply throw it around corners, let it lose traction, and just enjoy minimal steering to keep it balanced. Steering is extremely responsive and engaging, while brakes are more than enough to slow or stop the 2,341-pound car, not that you need to slow it down much. While you may criticize the lack of power, such shortcoming proves to be an advantage when exiting corners. You can smoothly get on the throttle knowing you won't lose much traction on dry roads. We averaged 30 mpg for the week, which is great given how hard we drove it. Visibility will always be an issue in an MX-5, especially with the large mirror in the center of the windshield and the left blind spot. If you decide this is the car for you, make sure yours come with a blind spot monitor.
The Most Affordable Fun You Can Have
We all love straight line fun, but not everyone can pay nearly $50k for a 6-cylinder Supra, or even a 4-cylinder Supra. The MX-5 Miata is the most affordable way to get into a convertible, and have a blast behind the wheel. Driving characteristics are not largely different from how Miatas always been, but with enough tech, chassis and suspension evolution, the MX-5 is now better than ever. If you are a tall driver, this will be an issue. Unless you're used to being in racecars with roll cages, or if you like to feel cozy, it's simply not designed for tall people. If they design it for taller drivers, however, it would most likely lose its fun spirit. All in all, a starting price tag of just over $28,000 is simply unheard of in terms of the value you will get. The million dollar question: is it time for a change? No! There is a reason the MX-5 slowly evolved over the years, and for the engineers to be able to give you the latest tech, while still reminding you of how the early Miatas felt, that's an achievement. The MX-5 should never change, simply because there is no replacement for this platform.