Mazda has the ignorance to continue diluting their press fleet with automatic transmission-equipped Miatas. This car might as well have had the grave misfortune of being on the receiving end of a dementor, because sadly, vast quantities of soul are lost here in application and limit my ability to properly judge the revised ND3 MX-5.
It’s true that the 2024 model is improved in a variety of the subtler ways. On the surface you wouldn’t know it, but the bones have seen enough reworking to warrant a new internal model designation, dubbed the ND3 now. However, the changes are not all that plentiful, including some freshened headlights and wheels outside, some added center console padding (which, granted, is actually noticeable), and an updated and larger 8.8″ infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay. Mechanically, top manual models gain a revised differential (not applicable here), but all models gain revised steering that should improve on-center and overall steering feel, increasing driver connection further.
Performance
On style alone, the MX-5 is a car with little to no macho pretensions. Even in its sinister, cat-eyes ND era, Mazda hasn’t opted to gussy it up with massive wings or overdone vents. It’s cute. It’s tiny. It sits kinda high off the ground, and if it were a person, you get the feeling that it’d be one of those people who never seems to have a bad day. It is the anti-Cybertruck, the opposite of try-hard, working better at its intended purpose than its looks might suggest.For 2024, the DRLs are different, wheels are new, and there’s a new shade of gray on the paint list, but style-wise, it’s pretty much the same Miata we’ve known since 2015—yes, the ND is nearly a decade old now. Inside, a new, bigger 8.8-inch infotainment screen runs Mazda’s current knob-operated OS but thankfully becomes a touchscreen when running Apple CarPlay.
Driving the Mazda MX-5
Even if the doors didn’t look like that, though, the 2024 MX-5 nails its mission in making you feel at one with the machine—as it’s done for the past 35 years. The headline mechanical changes are a revised steering rack said to reduce friction and improve both nimbleness and precision and a new, asymmetric limited-slip differential that stabilizes turn-in.
Despite it being quite a few years since my last Miata jaunt, the 2024 immediately feels less laterally manic than I remember, exhibiting a more stable personality when tucking into a bend. Don’t think it’s gotten soft, though, because when you ask for it, Mazda’s sports car still darts, hucks, and sends feedback to your fingers like little else with license plates. Steering weight is perfect and there’s real communication going on.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Front-engine, RWD, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe |
| Base / As-Tested Price | $41,395 / $41,845 |
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Miata’s rev-happy naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine doesn’t post big horsepower numbers, but it’s eager enough to deliver stirring acceleration in this lightweight car. The direct, easy-to-shift manual transmission encourages the driver to explore the upper regions of the Miata’s tach. Even the optional automatic transmission impresses, with quick shifts and sporty programming. Miatas ride tautly and can get bouncy when driven 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.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | DOHC 16-valve inline-4 |
| Displacement | 122 in³ / 1998 cm³ |
| Horsepower | 181 hp @ 7000 rpm |
| Torque | 151 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Fuel System | Direct fuel injection |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Chalk up another “W” in the Miata’s column for its light curb 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 2024 RF Club model equipped with the six-speed manual transmission delivered 36 mpg. 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 essentials, although it is nicely finished with leather available and a splash of body color along the top of the door panels. While some might categorize the interior as spare, glass-half-full types (us) appreciate the businesslike prioritization of the steering wheel, pedals, shifter, and tachometer—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. The cupholders are removable and can be positioned in different spots in the cabin. A bulkhead behind the seats means there’s no stashing stuff back there, but there is a small compartment between the seatbacks. If you pack light, the trunk can accommodate a weekend’s worth of stuff for two. Meanwhile, the Subaru BRZ and the Toyota GR86 twins crush the Miata when it comes to cargo room; their folding rear seats open up enough trunk and rear cabin space to allow owners to haul up to four full-size wheels and tires (for, say, a track day) or plenty of luggage for a weekend getaway.
| Wheelbase | 90.9 in |
|---|---|
| Length | 154.1 in |
| Width | 68.3 in |
| Height | 49.0 in |
| Passenger Volume | 48 ft³ |
| Trunk Volume | 4 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 2454 lb |
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The Miata’s warranty coverage is average and both of its direct rivals—the BRZ and GR86—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
