Unabridged Enthusiasm
Some days it’s hard to feel like driving can still be a joy in North America. The automotive enthusiast sometimes feels like a niche outlier, in a society where the buy rate for manual transmissions is in the low single digits. But the truth is, that enthusiasm is simply changing. There will always be those who savour the rush of a spirited drive. You’ve likely heard the tired cliché that Miata is always the answer. Well tough luck, because this is the MX-5. But to answer one cliché with another – the more things change, the more they stay the same. There is a certain endurance that comes with tradition.
There’s a good reason the MX-5, formerly Miata/Eunos, is the world’s best-selling sports car. It might be as close as we can get to distilling that aforementioned rush into a tidy, beautifully laid out package that anyone, regardless of skill level, enthusiasm or legal driving age can find enjoyment in – and even enough creature comforts to make it a pleasant place to be, unlike several other cars that claim to offer ‘no frills’ motoring.
Beyond the bare necessities, even the base MX-5 will get you some modern features like blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 7-inch touchscreen display. But it’s worth noting, this is Mazda’s older generation of infotainment system, not the newest version you’ll find across most of the range by now.
Powering the little roadster is a 2.0L 4-cylinder, which in recent years, has been reworked to produce 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. In a car that weighs 1,066kg, you feel the impact of that power far better than you would in a heavier car. If you’ve ever ridden a motorcycle, this might be the closest factory-ready and affordable automotive equivalent to that feeling.
Driving an MX-5 is rewarding. You’d have to go out of your way to not have a good time in this little car. It doesn’t matter if you’re not the most skilled wannabe racer either. It’s a comfortable, quiet cruiser for a stroll through the city or countryside, or an agile little rabbit if you take it hard around a corner. The way the steering and suspension are set up instill confidence and comfort – so long as you keep things within your own limits.
Our tester featured the Sport Package, which for a cool $4,400, adds some beautiful upgrades including red Brembo front and rear brakes, 17-inch BBS alloys and Recaro seats. These are fantastic brakes, and work tremendously in a car this small. But we’ve never had any issues stopping with the standard issue brake package on the MX-5. These upgrades look awesome on the car, and of course are an improvement, but we wouldn’t say you’re missing out on the driving experience or putting yourself at any extra risk with the lower stopping power if you choose to pass on this package.
It’s almost hard to compare this vehicle to anything else on the market. There are certainly driver-tuned cars in affordable price ranges, but the MX-5 is the only one that gives you that topless experience. On a nice day, no matter what time of year it is, you just can’t beat that. Pair it with an immaculate, accessible driving experience, and frankly, there’s a damn good reason that Miata cliché still exists.
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