~ A DriveWays Review ~
by Frank A. Aukofer

The 2024 Mazda MX-5, nicknamed the Miata, evokes nostalgia for a time in the middle of the last century when British sports cars were highly regarded by enthusiasts.

Introduced in 1989, it was widely recognized as the spiritual but stronger successor to UK sports cars like the MG Midget, Triumph Spitfire and Austin-Healey Sprite, and to a lesser extent more expensive offerings from those manufacturers as well as Aston Martin, Morgan and Jaguar.

The Japanese-made MX-5 promised to deliver reliability, durability and economy that had escaped some of the British sportsters. It kept its word and has maintained its reputation over the last 35 years, with older examples still sought after and commanding decent prices among classic cars.

Now, for the 2024 model year, the MX-5 continues its role as the embodiment of the traditional two-seat sports car with either a fabric convertible top or a retractable hard top. Both open to the elements or shelter the passengers.

Driven for this review was the MX-5 Grand Touring with the soft top, a 181-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual gearbox that helps make the most of the engine’s 151 pound-feet of torque, or twisting force.

There’s enough grunt to send the MX-5 to 60 miles an hour in the five second range, according to independent tests. Yet the little Miata manages to receive city/highway/combined mileage ratings from the Environmental Protection Agency of 26/34/29 miles to the gallon of gasoline. Premium is recommended.

Power goes to the rear wheels, as enthusiasts prefer, because the setup, including suspension system and shock absorber modifications, enables light steering and enhances sharp handling on public roads and racetracks. The manual gearbox also supports additional driver control and adds to the driving enjoyment, especially on a warm summer day with the top down.

The only drawbacks are what anyone would expect: There’s not a great deal of room; just 49 cubic feet of space for the driver and one passenger, and a trunk of five cubic feet, barely enough luggage space for two overnight. So it’s likely to be treated more as a toy than a family car.

A noticeable amount of engine and road noise also creep into the cabin, especially under hard acceleration. However, at 12 feet 10 inches long, the MX-5 can be squeezed into parking spaces that deny bigger vehicles.

Yet despite its tidy size and a relatively light weight of 2,340 pounds (the hood and trunk lid are aluminum), the MX-5 has a planted feel on the road and a comfortable ride on smoother surfaces. However, its suspension system and tires sometimes have difficulty handling bumpy roads, transmitting shock waves into the cabin.

For 2024, the little convertible has refreshed styling that includes new wheel designs and a redesigned grille. The company says manual gearbox models like the test car have received a new limited-slip differential along with modifications to the power steering and undercarriage, all of which contribute to improved handling.

New cockpit driver assistance features include an 8.8-inch infotainment screen, adaptive cruise control and automatic rear emergency braking.

Base price of the tested Grand Touring model is $35,450. With a few options, the as-tested price came to $36,200, which is in the lower bucks range among cars in the United States, where the average new car price now is creeping toward $50,000.

Standard equipment includes safety and driver assistance equipment with front and rear automated emergency braking, front collision warning and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control also is standard, along with blind-spot monitoring.

Other equipment on the tested Grand Touring includes heated power side mirrors with auto-dimming on the driver’s side mirror, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a glass rear window with defogger in the fabric convertible top, and heated leather-covered seats.

Also: Mazda navigation system; wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto; Bose premium audio with SXM satellite radio and HD radio, and hands-free Bluetooth connectivity.

In short, what you get in the Mazda MX-5 is a package of safety and convenience equipment, standard and optional, that would do justice to a more expensive near luxury or luxury car, despite the fact that it more resembles a track ready roadster.

Yet as generations of owners and drivers have discovered, this little hunk of creative engineering comes with endurance, safety, reliability and longevity along with its sporting orientation of high performance and durability.

Yes, it’s still a toy. And the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata plays as one of the best without breaking the piggy bank.

Specifications

  • Model: 2024 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring 6MT two-seat convertible.
  • Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder; 181 hp, 151 lb-ft torque.
  • Transmission: Six-speed manual with rear-wheel drive.
  • Overall length: 12 feet 10 inches.
  • Height: 4 feet 1 inch.
  • EPA passenger/trunk volume: 49/5 cubic feet.
  • Weight: 2,340 pounds.
  • EPA city/highway/combined fuel consumption: 26/34/29 mpg.
  • Base price, including destination charge: $35,450.
  • Price as tested: $36,200..

Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided the vehicle used to conduct this test drive and review. Photos ©Mazda