Mazda MX-5 Miata
Lightweight, rear-drive, manual roadster. The blueprint nobody else has the discipline to ship.
10 reviewers · 59 videos · 51 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its handling and fun to drive, but split on performance and daily drivability.
across 10 reviewers
"I can't believe you can just go 100 in this miata"
Tedward · ▶ 7:44"it's still like 133 horsepower my s2000 is 200 horsepower so that's a hundred horsepower and there's no way to overcome that"
Zygrene · ▶ 3:37"This road's bumpy but it's still comfortable."
Hagerty · ▶ 19:24"i'm gonna be straight up this car totally overkill you do not need 440 horsepower in an enemy miata"
Tedward · ▶ 9:51"on the used car market today you can pick them up for as low as £5,000"
Fifth Gear · ▶ 4:52"I could have bought a S2000"
Zygrene · ▶ 7:32Performance
3.5/510 of 10 reviewerssplit“I can't believe you can just go 100 in this miata”
positive · Tedward · ▶ 7:44“it's still like 133 horsepower my s2000 is 200 horsepower so that's a hundred horsepower and there's no way to overcome that”
critical · Zygrene · ▶ 3:37“It builds and builds all the way to 7,000 RPM. It's a really good sounding engine.”
positive · Hagerty · ▶ 1:46Handling
4.5/510 of 10 reviewersstrong consensus“the steerings lovely tactile you know everything that's going on with the front end there's a lovely sense of communication”
positive · Fifth Gear · ▶ 3:38“this is a great great handling car it's it's much better handling than a stock S2000”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 10:47“Because the weight hasn't changed, you can still enjoy it in the corners just as much as before but with all that extra power and torque.”
positive · Hagerty · ▶ 15:23Fun to drive
5.0/510 of 10 reviewersstrong consensus“every day you commute with this car, it is fun.”
positive · Regular Car Reviews · ▶ 4:10“well it's a riot”
positive · Fifth Gear · ▶ 3:35“is it fun oh yeah i am having the best time”
positive · Tedward · ▶ 9:56Daily drivability
3.0/510 of 10 reviewerssplit“i'm gonna be straight up this car totally overkill you do not need 440 horsepower in an enemy miata”
critical · Tedward · ▶ 9:51“the suspension is on the bumpier side... there was quite a bit of jerkiness jerky bounciness”
critical · Zygrene · ▶ 9:49“This road's bumpy but it's still comfortable.”
positive · Hagerty · ▶ 19:24Value
4.5/510 of 10 reviewerssplit“on the used car market today you can pick them up for as low as £5,000”
positive · Fifth Gear · ▶ 4:52“I could have bought a S2000”
critical · Zygrene · ▶ 7:32“I'm so aware that so many of the RestoMods and the cars in general that I drive are out of reach for so many, me included really. But this, this feels attainable.”
positive · Hagerty · ▶ 2:07Hear it in the reviewer’s words
- Top Gear
Mazda MX-5 1.5 review: basic roadster's UK test Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe MX-5 1.5 remains a peerlessly simple, solidly built, and feverish car to drive that proves you don't need big numbers to have a great time.
- Best for
- drivers who prioritize chassis balance and mechanical engagement over raw power.
- Watch out
- lack of smartphone mirroring · third and fourth gears feel long for the engine's power
685 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Mazda MX-5 review: 2.0-litre roadster driven Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe 2.0-litre MX-5 is the superior choice for those who prioritize driving engagement, though the 1.5-litre remains a fantastic entry point.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a balanced, interactive roadster for public roads.
- Watch out
- electric steering lacks feel · unnecessary active safety tech
1,273 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Retro review: the third-gen (NC) Mazda MX-5 Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itPure roadster fun, and easy to live with too. An antidote to the modern world, but still contemporary.
- Best for
- enthusiasts seeking an accessible, fun, and reliable roadster for daily use and spirited driving.
- Watch out
- brittle interior plastics · lack of throttle sharpness · tyre noise with roof up
2,117 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Mazda MX-5 Driving, Engines & Performance | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe MX-5 remains a masterclass in accessible, lightweight fun, best enjoyed as a flowing roadster rather than a track-focused weapon.
- Best for
- drivers who value engagement and flow over raw speed and track-day focus
- Watch out
- numb steering feel · body roll at the limit · buzzy engine note
1,234 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Mazda MX-5 review: two-seat roadster gets a facelift Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe facelifted MX-5 is a sharper, more engaging roadster that remains true to its easy-going character.
- Best for
- drivers who want an engaging, balanced roadster that is comfortable enough for daily use.
- Watch out
- avoid the six-speed automatic · not a hardcore track car
959 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Mazda MX-5 review: our drive of the entry-level 1.5-litre MX-5 Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆BuyThe new MX-5 is a return to form, doing what it has always done but better than ever before.
- Best for
- enthusiasts seeking a pure, lightweight, and engaging roadster experience.
- Watch out
- steering lacks feedback · seats can feel narrow
1,646 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Mazda MX-5 Review 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe MX-5 remains the benchmark for accessible, lightweight sports car fun, offering a pure driving experience that is increasingly rare in the modern market.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts seeking a simple, engaging, and affordable daily-drivable sports car.
- Watch out
- Cramped interior for tall drivers · Wind buffeting · Lack of premium interior materials
1,815 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time