35 years and not feeling it literally, surviving through all the eras and significant changes of the automotive industry. Where others in its category have gone extinct, the Mazda MX-5 endures, with a strong community and still capturing everyone’s attention, even in this generation which already has its 10 years behind it.
I drove it in Dalmatia, one of the most beautiful Balkan regions, because Mazda wanted to further enhance its Miata with some technical tweaks that make it even more fun, and with the only engine that will remain available, the SkyActiv-G 1.5 with 132 horsepower, strictly with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Mazda MX-5 2024: our tops and flops
An car not for everyone, but one that wins everyone over. Not for everyone because taller people like myself fit in a bit snugly, and also because it’s very low. Yet, these are two compromises easily acceptable to the target audience of this model, which are enthusiasts. Always with its vintage style both in the rounded aesthetics and the driving dynamics, and especially in the 6-speed manual transmission that offers a feedback almost extinct nowadays, the MX-5 also updates in technology, particularly in infotainment and some safety systems. The perfect car for those seeking just fun, of course with numerous sacrifices: there are few storage compartments, the trunk is tiny, and the car is very low, your back won’t be happy. But for driving enthusiasts, it’s enough, especially with such an old-school manual transmission, so precise and pleasant to grip, the new more direct steering, the new DSC-Track system that provides more control to the driver, intervening only at the last moment when it recognizes that the driver cannot correct themselves, which certainly contributes to the fun and experience of a car that, after 35 years, is still here, looking at an evergreen niche and, with little power and lots of lightness, confirms that you don’t need too many horses for truly sporty driving.
What we like:
- Timeless design
- Simple engineering
- Extreme fun in every situation
What we don’t like:
- The storage compartments are few and small;
- The infotainment is still not very intuitive;
- It’s quite noisy with the top closed
Prices in Scandinavia
Denmark – from 313.500 DKK
Sweden – from 347.900 SEK
Norway – from 457.700 NOK
Fun in a small package
The Mazda MX-5 continues to be very small. The design is still that of the latest generation, the Kodo that made the brand’s latest cars famous, with a soft style that focuses entirely on the sinuous shapes accentuated by dedicated colors, to highlight the proportions. The effect is ensured, even in the elegant blue (Deep Crystal Blue) of our test.
The model year introduces a new and interesting color, Aero Grey Metallic, replacing the Premium Quartz, as well as beige for the roadster’s top, always with manual opening/closing with a very simple gesture. This is also the version we drove, perfect for these roads precisely in its simplicity.
Needless to say, taller people struggle more. I find the driver’s seat particularly comfortable, the seat slides enough lengthwise to fit completely. On the passenger side, however, I fit just right, with my knees a bit high and little space for my feet due to the central tunnel.
Additionally, the car is particularly low, and you necessarily have to lower yourself to get in.
And you have to travel light: the storage compartments are few and very small, while the trunk can hold a trolley and two large backpacks. Or two not particularly large trolleys.
In short, it’s a car for long trips but with few frills, and these compromises are part of the fun it offers.
Also, the quality is evident, thanks to an update that made the seating more comfortable with the use of high-resistance faux leather Leganu, reminiscent of suede. This allows for better grip, limiting slippage and maintaining balance even in dynamic driving. These finishes also return on the door panels, blending with the body color that also returns inside, and in general all the trims, including the synthetic leather steering wheel, provide a quality feel.
The technological novelties include the introduction of a larger 8.8-inch display and updated infotainment with wireless compatibility for CarPlay and Android Auto, also touch-enabled when the car is stationary. The USB ports are all now Type C, and there is also a non-slip base for the smartphone. The dashboard behind the steering wheel has also been renewed, with a new design needle and clearer font thanks to a higher pigmentation black Japanese lacquer.
On the Exclusive-line, the auto-dimming rearview mirror has been redesigned, now in an inverted trapezoid shape to prevent the reflection of everything that does not concern the rear view, and it is frameless.
Driving is even more dynamic
Whether you prefer a relaxed drive or something more spirited, the Mazda MX-5 can fulfill both driving styles well. In my test, I drove the 1.5 SkyActiv-G with 132 horsepower, the only engine that will remain available in all European markets, except for the UK where the 2.0 variant with 184 horsepower will still be sold, the only one with the new asymmetric limited-slip differential.
However, 132 horsepower on such a small and light car is noticeable. It feels lively, precise, and is also easy to slide, while keeping ESC and other safety parameters active. The cornering grip particularly impressed me because the car remains stable without any effort, and this is a plus for both fun and safety. Sure, taking corners very joyfully and playing a bit with the brake and clutch, you can even do some light “drifts”, or rather slide a bit.
A new feature, designed for circuits, is the DSC-Track dynamic stability control, standard from the Exclusive-line onwards, which offers the driver the highest control of the vehicle, intervening later than other modes, for example just before a potential dangerous skid that the driver could not correct in time.
The driving dynamics have also been made more enjoyable by structural modifications to the chassis and body, and engine improvements that increase power and reduce fuel consumption, which among other things also improve the sound of the engines with the introduction of the Induction Sound Enhancer. The result is pure driving pleasure, fun for those who want only this from a car, and are not interested in too many technological frills (though not lacking), nor space and practicality.
There is also a Bose sound system integrated directly into the seat headrests for a more immersive sound, although it should be noted that the version with the fabric top is quite noisy at high speeds, and you can hear all the aerodynamic noises.
The fuel consumption is also interesting for the model: 6.3 liters per 100 km for the 1.5 of our test, thanks to solutions like i-Eloop and i-stop and in general to the not very high power that helps make the driving not only fun but also efficient.
