2023 MAZDA MX-5
Price at $34,145
Overview
To call the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata an icon would be an understatement. The drop-top compact sports car reinvented the niche when it appeared for the first time back in 1989. Since then, it has only gotten better, honing its performance and handling to what it is today: it one of the most entertaining things on four wheels. The Miata competes with the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR 86 twins but unlike those coupes, it's offered with either of two open-top body styles—a cloth-top convertible or a retractable hard-top Targa called RF. All models are powered by a revvy 181-hp four-cylinder and come with a standard six-speed manual gearbox, a combination that recalls the sports cars of yesteryear. An automatic transmission is available but stick with the manual; it makes this featherweight two-seater an engrossing drive partner.
What's New for 2023?
Mazda's most entertaining model carries over into 2023 with only one change: A new paint color called Zircon Sand. The mid-range Club trim strikes the best balance of features and performance here as it comes with 17-inch wheels, a limited-slip rear differential, heated seats, and a nine-speaker Bose stereo system. Although the Miata is available with an automatic transmission, it's best by far when equipped with the crisp and joyful six-speed manual, which is the sole offering on the Club trim.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
You don't sit in a Miata so much as wear it. The cabin is a cozy fit for two adults and includes only the bare essentials. While some might categorize the interior as spare, glass-half-full types (us) appreciate the businesslike prioritization of the steering wheel, pedals, shifter, and tachnometer—and the refreshingly basic accommodations. With few storage cubbies, not to mention a tiny trunk, the Miata barely acknowledges the need to bring along your personal effects. Then again, its Lilliputian dimensions make few promises in the way of practicality. If you pack light, the trunk can accommodate a weekend's worth of stuff for two. Meanwhile, the Subaru BRZ and the Toyota GR 86 twins crush the Miata when it comes to cargo space; their folding rear seats allow owners to haul up to four full-size wheels and tires (for, say, a track day) between the trunk and the cabin.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Miata's engine revs eagerly and is powerful enough to deliver stirring acceleration. Exploring the engine's high-revving personality is encouraged by the direct, easy-to-shift manual transmission. Even the optional automatic impresses, with quick shifts and sporty programming. The soft-top model ran to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds in our testing; the slightly heavier hardtop RF model needed 5.8. Miatas ride tautly and can get bouncy when over a quick succession of bumps. The Club's shocks and springs return the firmest ride of the lineup, although no Miata rides poorly. The handling is sharp, eager, and playful..
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