2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata

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. It isn’t the best choice for daily commuting or long road trips, and tall drivers will find the cabin a bit cramped, but the Miata is equipped with the essentials, and its chassis is expertly tuned for maximum fun.

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.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

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.

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. We especially enjoy the light, tactile steering; it cuts like a great running back and keeps the driver informed of what the front tires are doing. This is a fun car, plain and simple.

More on the MX-5 Miata Convertible

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Chalk up another “W” in the Miata’s column for its light weight. With such a small amount of car to haul around, the 2.0-liter engine manages relatively high EPA fuel-economy numbers of up to 26 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. On our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test route, a soft top Grand Touring model delivered 36 mpg and a hardtop RF Club managed 37 mpg, both equipped with the six-speed manual transmission. For more information about the Miata’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

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.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Miata boasts a touchscreen infotainment system that is made better by an easy-to-reach control knob and hard buttons on the center console. Every Miata comes standard with Bluetooth connectivity (for both phone and streaming audio functions), as well as a CD player. Navigation is standard on the Grand Touring and a dealer-installed accessory on Club models—added via a Mazda SD card. Also included is HD radio compatibility. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all models.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Miata’s driver-assistance features are all standard. For more information about the Miata’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard automated emergency braking with forward-collision warning Standard blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert Standard lane-departure warning

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The Miata’s warranty coverage is average and both of its direct rivals—the BRZ and GR 86—offer similar coverage. The Toyota comes with two years of complimentary maintenance while the Mazda and Subaru do not.

Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Specifications

Specifications:

2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door convertible

PRICE AS TESTED: $34,980 (base price: $30,510)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 122 cu in, 1998 cc
Power: 181 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque: 151 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual

CHASSIS:
Suspension (F/R): control arms/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 11.0-in vented disc/11.0-in disc
Tires: Bridgestone Potenza S001, 205/45R-17 84W

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 90.9 in
Length: 154.1 in
Width: 68.3 in Height: 48.6 in
Passenger volume:  49 cu ft
Trunk volume: 5 cu ft
Curb weight: 2345 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 16.1 sec
Zero to 120 mph: 27.7 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.4 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 10.2 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 9.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.5 sec @ 95 mph
Top speed (drag limited, C/D est): 140 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 170 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.90 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY:
Observed: 30 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY:
Combined/city/highway: 29/26/34 mpg 

c/d testing explained

2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring

VEHICLE TYPE

front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door targa

PRICE AS TESTED

$36,350 (base price: $35,925)

ENGINE TYPE

DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 122 cu in, 1998 cc

Power: 181 hp @ 7000 rpm

Torque: 151 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic

CHASSIS

Suspension (F/R): control arms/multilink

Brakes (F/R): 11.0-in vented disc/11.0-in disc

Tires: Bridgestone Potenza S001, 205/45R-17 84W

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 90.0 in

Length: 154.1 in

Width: 68.3 in

Height: 49.0 in

Passenger volume: 49 cu ft

Trunk volume: 5 cu ft

Curb weight: 2484 lb

C/D
TEST RESULTS

Zero to 60 mph: 6.5 sec

Zero to 100 mph: 17.3 sec

Zero to 120 mph: 30.9 sec

Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.9 sec

Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.5 sec

Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.4 sec

Standing ¼-mile: 15.1 sec @ 94 mph

Top speed (drag limited): 137 mph

Braking, 70–0 mph: 161 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.90 g

C/D
FUEL ECONOMY

75-mph highway driving: 38 mpg

Highway range: 450 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY

Combined/city/highway: 30/26/25 mpg

More Features and Specs