Mazda MX-5 Miata NB
Lightweight, rear-drive, manual roadster. The blueprint nobody else has the discipline to ship.
28 reviewers · 82 videos · 12 hours watched · 56 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its handling and fun to drive, but split on performance and daily drivability.
across 28 reviewers
"immediately it is a more potent engine than that little 1.6 in the na"
Zygrene · ▶ 8:28"it's not that fast from the factory this car takes about an hour to get from 0 to 60."
The Left Pedal · ▶ 1:52"it's got a bigger boot... it's generally just got much more space inside than the mr2... you can use it for weekends away you can use it for your shopping"
Classics World · ▶ 2:04"there are no glass windows there are no glass side windows"
ShootingCars · ▶ 5:14"the value to fun proposition that you get with it... is unbeatable"
EddieX · ▶ 1:56"nearly 20,000 for a little 2C toosa seems like a heck of a lot of money"
Men and Motors · ▶ 4:54Performance
3.5/528 of 28 reviewerssplit“it's not that fast from the factory this car takes about an hour to get from 0 to 60.”
critical · The Left Pedal · ▶ 1:52“immediately it is a more potent engine than that little 1.6 in the na”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 8:28“Fitted with a turbocharger and egged on by 7 and 1/2 lb of boost, the tidy 1.8-L 4 now throws out 178 hp and 166 lb feet of torque.”
positive · MotorWeek · ▶ 2:16Handling
4.5/528 of 28 reviewersstrong consensus“the steering is awesome I mean you get plenty of warning there whenever you know it's just starting to step out a little bit”
positive · Realistick · ▶ 21:46“the steering really came alive. I could really just feel exactly what the front tires are doing.”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 22:05“Crucially it's rear-wheel drive so you can take it out a nice day like this and have some fun with it.”
positive · High Peak Autos · ▶ 3:31Fun to drive
4.5/528 of 28 reviewersconsensus“man is it fun. The fact that I'm not doing a million miles an hour does not affect me at all.”
positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 3:26“out of all the cars I've reviewed so far this one is the most confidence inspiring on that stretch of road”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 16:48“it's more fun to drive a slow car fast on a fast car slow and this is one of the cars that really does approximate being a go-kart on the road”
positive · EddieX · ▶ 5:29Daily drivability
3.5/527 of 28 reviewerssplit“it's got a bigger boot... it's generally just got much more space inside than the mr2... you can use it for weekends away you can use it for your shopping”
positive · Classics World · ▶ 2:04“there are no glass windows there are no glass side windows”
critical · ShootingCars · ▶ 5:14“I don't quite fit I'm kind of uh slouching down scrunched up to see the traffic light right now”
critical · EddieX · ▶ 3:13Value
4.5/528 of 28 reviewerssplit“the value to fun proposition that you get with it... is unbeatable”
positive · EddieX · ▶ 1:56“the mx-5 is the best sports car you can buy on a tight budget.”
positive · High Peak Autos · ▶ 0:53“as far as running cost goes I'm gonna give the nuts to the Miata”
positive · The Slip Angle · ▶ 19:20Hear it in the reviewer’s words
- The Drive
Is a $45,000 Mazda Miata Still the Answer?
◆Worth it, with caveatsThe 2026 MX-5 RF is a fantastic, refined sports car, but the soft-top Club remains the superior choice for those prioritizing pure driving value.
- Best for
- Buyers who prioritize the retractable hardtop aesthetic and interior refinement over absolute weight savings.
- Watch out
- 100-pound weight penalty · Significant price premium over soft-top
Quotes worth your time - The Drive
2026 Mazda MX-5 RF Review: Is a Miata With a Heavy and Pricey Hardtop Still ‘the Answer’?
◆Worth it, with caveatsThe MX-5 RF is a fantastic, sophisticated sports car, but the hardtop is a compromise that only makes sense if you prioritize its specific aesthetic and security benefits over the purity of the soft top.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a daily-drivable, stylish convertible and don't mind the weight penalty of the hardtop.
- Watch out
- Significant rear blind spot · Drive-by-wire throttle lag · Synthetic leather steering wheel · Weight penalty over soft top
Quotes worth your time - 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

























































