It may seem hard to believe that the Mazda MX-5 Miata is now entering its eighth year of production. In an increasingly electric world, the dwindling sports car market is becoming ever more scarce. But the Miata remains a coveted roadster capable of punching above its weight in terms of sheer excitement, let alone price.

With this in mind, buyers are at a dilemma. If you want an affordable sports car, your main competition is the Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ coupes. If it's a convertible you want, the Miata's closest competition would be the Porsche 718 Boxster, whose price tag start somewhere around $60K. Nonetheless, the Mazda MX-5 finds itself in good company.

2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata

9.00 / 10
Key Features
  • Convertible
  • Superior Fuel Economy
  • Affordable Sports Car
Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: MX-5 Miata
  • Segment: Array
  • Engine/Motor: 1.5-liter, I4/2-liter, I4
  • Horsepower: 129-181 hp
  • Torque: 111-151 lb-ft
  • Drivetrain: Front-mid engine, RWD
  • Transmission: 6-speed manual/6-speed automatic
  • Range: N/A
Pros
  • Light weight means not lacking in power
  • Heavenly steering feel
  • Great shift action
Cons
  • Won't fit every driver
  • Trunk space remains wanting

2023 MX-5 Miata Overview2022-mazda-mx-5-miata-roadster

The soft-top convertible has been around since 2016. The hardtop Retractable Fastback came out not long after for 2017. Both styles are still available for 2023. In fact, the biggest change to report is a new paint color. More on that in a second.

As before, power comes through a SkyActiv-G 2.0-liter inline-four producing 181 hp at 7,000 RPM and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM. That should still be enough to fling the barely one-ton roadster through the corners for a quick mountain blast, while smart transmission tuning won't leave you waning on the highway. A six-speed manual transmission is standard while six-speed automatic remains optional.

For the coming year, The MX-5 Miata is now available with the Zircon Sand Metallic previously only seen on the CX-50. For an additional $395, you too can have the glossy tan finish applied to your Miata regardless of the roof you choose. Mazda doesn't emphasize why this is available only to the sports car, as the color can be applied to the CX-5 crossover in foreign markets.

Could it be that the MX-5 also pines for the outdoors, specifically to the mountain roads where it belongs? Whatever the reason may be, it's yours for the picking if you have around $30,000 to spend.

Related: Here's What We Know About The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Features and Equipment

Speaking of, the 2023 Miata starts at $28,050. That gets you a Sport model equipped with a cloth top, 16-inch gloss black wheels, LED headlamps and tail lamps, black mirror caps, and daytime running lights.

Standard safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert (activated in backup camera), smart city brake support, and lane departure warning systems. Automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers are available on higher-up models.

Stepping up to the Club gets you 17-inch black-painted wheels, Bilstein shocks, front shock tower brace in the engine bay, and a limited slip differential. Other niceties include a Bose audio system that includes a subwoofer and headrest speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay, and unlocks the option for the Brembo BBS Recaro Package.

That gets you Brembo brakes with red calipers, forged 17-inch BBS wheels in a gunmetal finish, and heated Recaro bucket seats. It also includes an aero kit consisting of extended side sills and a rear bumper skirt. The package is $4,500 on the soft-top variant and standard equipment on the hardtop RF. This may as well be considering the MX-5 Club is a special-order model.

The MX-5 that will most likely arrive at Mazda dealers will be the Grand Touring model. This adds on leather seats, automatic headlamps with high-beam control, navigation with traffic sign recognition, automatic climate control, and an auto-dimming mirror with garage remote access. The 17-inch wheels are instead finished with a brushed silver.

It's worth noting that if you want an automatic transmission, the Miata Grand Touring is the only way to do it. Cheaper MX-5s are manual-only. If you stick with the Grand Touring and get the stick, you still get the Bilstein shocks, limited-slip differential, and front shock tower brace under the hood for the sportier experience.

Related: Here's How Mazda Has Made The MX-5 Miata Enjoyable For People With Disabilities

Pricing After Sport

2020 Mazda Miata MX-5 Rear
via TheNewsWheel

Stepping up to the Club will command $31,550. Adding the Brembo BBS Recaro Package will see that price jump up to $36,050. For the Club RF with the same package, Mazda is asking $38,550. Grand Touring models start at $33,050 for the soft-top and $35,350 for the RF. Opting for the automatic transmission adds $500-$550. Terracotta Nappa leather upholstery is available at a premium of $300.

All pricing is MSRP before the $1,275 destination charge added for getting the cars from the factory to you.

Related: How This Bone-Stock Mazda MX-5 Miata Completed 1000+ Miles On Bio Fuel

What Buyers Think

2022 Mazda MX-5 Featured Front
Via: Mazda

The Mazda MX-5 Miata may be getting a little bit long in the tooth, but it doesn't appear to show. Edmunds ranks the Miata RF #1 and #2 (soft-top) in relation to convertible categories. Given how the new one hasn't changed much from what HotCars drove a couple of years ago, it's likely that the 2023 MX-5 will continue to draw smiles for years to come.