Mazda MX-5 cars

The style of the car

The MX-5 is a convertible that blends traditional ‘roadster’ styling with a sharp-edged modern look. It’s very sporty yet also quite cute. It’s a very compact car, shorter even than a Ford Fiesta. The interior is just as stylish as the exterior: A band of trim across the dashboard matches the colour on the seats. The fabric soft top is usually black, though some of the many special edition models have different colours. Some models have black wheels, too. There’s a different version of the MX-5 called the MX-5 RF – it’s a hard-top model with a fixed rear window and a removable metal roof panel.

How it drives

The MX-5 is enormously enjoyable to drive. It’s so small and low to the ground that you feel like you’re flying along, even at fairly low speed. So many modern sports cars are so fast that they’re not really enjoyable on normal roads. But the MX-5 is huge fun even at half the speed limit. The steering is light and the manual gear change is precise. Being so small, it’s a doddle to drive around town. The top does restrict the view behind, but otherwise manoeuvring is easy. The MX-5 is surprisingly capable on motorways, too. There are two engines available, both of which provide good acceleration up to motorway speeds.

The interior

The MX-5 is a small open-top roadster with two doors and two seats. It’s about the same size as a Mini Convertible. It’s surprisingly spacious for two people, though tall people might find headroom a little tight when the top is up. Getting in can be tricky because the seats are low to the ground and the door openings are quite small. You raise and lower the roof by hand, unlike most modern convertibles which have an electrically operated roof. It’s a quick and easy process, and you can even do it with one hand. The interior is cosy, if a bit dark with the top up. Storage space is limited inside the car, while the boot’s quite small. You’ll just about get a week’s worth of food shopping in there, or a couple of soft bags for a weekend away. All MX-5 models have air con and DAB radio. High-spec models get luxuries like sat nav, heated leather seats and cruise control.

Running costs and reliability

The MX-5 is inexpensive to buy new, so it’s very affordable as a used car, too. There are two petrol engines available, both of which return more than 40mpg, according to official figures. Road tax costs are low for a sporty car and insurance costs should be relatively low, too. Mazda’s reputation for reliability is very good and the MX-5 is generally extremely dependable. Safety experts Euro NCAP gave the MX-5 a safety rating of four stars out of five.

How it compares with similar cars

The MX-5’s only real competitor is the Fiat 124 Spider. In fact, the Mazda and Fiat are basically the same car, except for different engines and front and rear styling. The Fiat feels a bit more luxurious, but the Mazda is more enjoyable to drive. The BMW Z4 is the same type of car but it’s bigger and more expensive than the Mazda. The Mini Convertible has four seats but it’s not as sporty or as good to drive as the MX-5. The Ford Fiesta ST and coupes like the Toyota GT86 are just as enjoyable to drive but don’t offer the open-air experience.