Temperatures in the low 70’s + dew points in the 40s + zero cloud cover equals an exquisite forecast when testing the marvelous Mazda MX-5 roadster.
Too often convertibles arrive for evaluation with snow gently accumulating on the driveway negating the fun factor of open top enjoyment. In 2024, however, the convertible Gods and scheduling Sirens smiled ear-to-ear.
If MX-5 doesn’t ring a bell, Miata works just fine. When Mazda first introduced this two-seat, lightweight open top beauty to the world at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show, the roadster was simply badged Miata here in the States. In other parts of the world, MX-5 served as the moniker. During it’s third-generation redesign in 2006, Mazda brought the MX-5 badging to the U.S., removing the Miata name from rearend badging. Mazda doesn’t care one way or the other if Miata lingers within the U.S. vocabulary. No matter where on this planet one calls home, this two-seater brings an affordability factor forward within the roadster community.
Prior to Miata’s debut, two-seat roadsters from Eurasia were costly both from starting price and repair-ability standpoints. Miata developed such a cult following, it quickly became the company’s halo vehicle despite its demure stature and easily attained starting price.
It’s low-to-the-ground portrait and standard rear-wheel drive welcomes the feel of road imperfections and lightweight construction contributes to spirited cornering. Power-to-weight ratio continues delivering thrills. It’s track-ready once exiting the dealership with no need for expensive upgrades.
Flared front and rear fenders with a long, arching hood in between provides a muscular stance. If Mom and Pop cruise together, sorry kids, no room for you; same goes for Fido. That’s by design. It’s the ultimate non-soccer-Mom-mobile.
Our tester arrived with Mazda’s visually appetizing candy apple red exterior, promoted as ‘Soul Red Crystal Metallic.’ This specialty color adds $595 to the bottom line, a mere pittance by comparison and found on other Mazda branded sedans and crossovers. One tri-lettered luxury automaker competitor (looking at you BMW) slaps on a $5,000 premium for a ‘Ruby Red Metallic’ that doesn’t begin to match Soul Red’s appeal.
The 2024 edition bases off of a fourth-generation effort debuting in the 2016 model year. Eight years checks in as a long time between major updates, but MX-5 Miata easily gets a pass because of its unique DNA and market specificity. New for the 2024 model year, a new exterior color (Aero Gray) along with an upgrade to ‘Mazda Connect,’ its audio/map/information screen interface.
A performance-minded six-speed manual transmission comes standard in all three trims, a welcome gift for gearheads desiring a closer melding with engine revolutions and timing. For those new to the lost art of manual gear movement, Miata’s comfortable foot clutch catches mid-level, not early as some pricier two-door counterparts. The pliable hand shifter glides smoothly with a pleasant, short throw.
Of the three trims (Sport, Club, Grand Touring) only the top-tier Grand Touring offers an optional six-speed automatic transmission. No matter the transmission, all derive power from a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder SkyActiv system cranking out 181 horsepower. Miata’s SkyActiv technology, present in all its internal combustion vehicles, takes a bigger bite out of the fuel’s potential energy by instituting a higher compression ratio through finer-tuned direct fuel injection and tweaking exhaust gases.
For optimal performance, Mazda recommends 91-octane premium fuel, but regular 87-octane may be substituted if desired when filling the 11.9-gallon tank. As of this writing, no word if Mazda plans to electrify this platform as an all-electric MX-EV, but dreaming is free.
All MX-5 Miata’s include convertible tops with a real glass rear windows including Midwest-friendly rear defrosters. During its first generation, a manually operated foldable soft roof served as top ambassador. Fast forward to 2024 and the manual soft top returns in all trims with upper two trims also offering a nifty power-operated hard top (market as RF, or Retractable Fastback) zipping up and down with the greatest of ease in less than 15 seconds with the constant push of a lower dashboard tab.
It’s well-executed design automatically unlatches the roof from the window frame, then bi-folds the front portion fore of the B-pillar then sends this section backward. The roof portion behind the B-Pillar then opens wide in hungry hippo, mouth-like fashion inviting the bi-fold section into a waiting nest behind the seats, before munching down, effectively swallowing the front like a slice of Soul Red cherry pie before closing and creating a smooth, clean tail end. Miata MX-5 stands regal with the top up or down with its long hood and stout back end.
The 4.6 cubic foot cozy trunk remains identical in size and integrity with the top up or down sporting strut-like hinging outside the cargo area to maximize inside capacity. It’s enough room to store a couple large-sized backpacks for weekend trips (without kids and/or pets). The lightweight flat lid includes a lip-like spoiler at the end. Below the bumper, a pair of side-by-side tailpipe exhausts extend out from the passenger’s side
Our mid-level Club trim arrived nicely furnished starting at $40,210. The only extra being the juicy Soul Red exterior ($595 and available in all three trims) and the obligatory $1,165 destination charge for a $41,970 bottom line. The lowest priced 2024 MX-5 Miata, a Sport soft top, starts at $28,985. All three trims build up standard content from the level below with minimal a-la-carte or stand-alone options.
Inside the snug confines, three large, easy grab, tactile dials monitor fan speed, direction and single-zone temperature. Both seats motivate manually with the pull of an under-seat bars. It’s designed for the young and young at heart with a roadster-like low-slung seating positions. Maneuvering in and out takes some hip dipping (or twerking as the kids say). The yummy Red exterior hue makes an appearance within the interior adorning door topsides below windowsills, contrasting nicely with the Club trim’s black cloth interior with black suede seat inserts. Sport trims feature a straight black cloth interior while Grand Touring upgrades to black leather or a tan Nappa leather option adding an extra $300.
The instrument panel also goes old school with three, deep-set, circular gauges with a large center orb promoting a tachometer and a slightly smaller speedometer orb to the right, both analog in nature with bright white nervous needles. To the left, a highly digital fuel/temperature gauge including other notable information. The center tachometer orb includes a lower right digital window illuminating in red the preferred gear setting with numbers between one and six.
Three circular air vents populate the mid-dash, two at each end and one center set but closer to the driver than shot-gun participant. A small center rectangular-sized vent provides circulation for the shotgun rider. The electronic, circular on/off button resides dashboard bound southwest of the center air vent.
To the right of the manual shifter resides a mechanical pull-style parking brake. The cupholder strategy harkens back to afterthought days consisting of two removable, rather flimsy single serve plastic baskets, one hooking next to the parking brake (presumably for the passenger guest) and one serving the pilot, but an uncomfortable stretch to reach as it resides behind the driver. Minimal storage opportunities include a narrow, shallow covered bin between the buckets (not big enough to handle larger-sized Smartphone unfortunately) and a fold-down glove-box-like area between the headrests.
Both Apple Car Play and Android Auto integration come standard with wireless capabilities only provided to Apple Car Play within the upper two trims. Two Type C USB plug ports reside in the lower central dash. ‘Mazda Connect,’ infotainment interaction includes an 8.8-inch flat touch screen gently rising from the center dash. While touch sensitive, commands better execute from two twist dials between the front buckets. The smaller orb controls volume/on/off while the bigger of the two handles selection (by pushing down) and options (with a twist). Three quick-hit push buttons ahead get folks back to home, audio or a map screens (Grand Touring includes in-dash navigation).
Finding like-minded Miata-heads doesn’t take much effort. Across the country, scores of clubs abound including Windy City Miata Club based in Chicagoland. Worldwide, Miata clubs dot every contentment sans Antarctica; a sizeable reach for such a tiny, thrilling ride.
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Price as tested: $41,970
Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
Horsepower: 181
Wheelbase: 90.7 inches
Overall Length: 154.1 inches
Overall Width: 68.3 inches
Overall Height: 48.8 inches
Curb Weight: 2,470 pounds
Fuel Economy: 26 mpg city/ 34 mpg highway
Powertrain warranty: Five year/60,000 miles
Assembly: Hiroshima, Japan
