Mazda MX-5 Miata
Lightweight, rear-drive, manual roadster. The blueprint nobody else has the discipline to ship.
19 reviewers · 64 videos · 54 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its handling and fun to drive, but split on performance and daily drivability.
across 19 reviewers
"a stock motor usually makes roughly 50 more wheel torque and about 50 more horsepower"
ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 3:37"Now, you're not going to amaze yourself with the power in the Miata. In fact, I suspect you might be disappointed."
EverydayDriver · ▶ 3:38"if you're contemplating this as a daily driver honestly this interior is better than what I was thinking the fit and finish here is actually decent"
Realistick · ▶ 9:54"so much noise from the back of this car you can hear every Rock getting thrown up into the wheel well"
Zygrene · ▶ 15:38"There's a place in this world where the NC Miata is probably one of the best value sports cars you can buy."
Zygrene · ▶ 19:49"Brand new, this car is 30 grand, which for what it is, I think is too much money."
EverydayDriver · ▶ 2:50Performance
3.5/519 of 19 reviewerssplit“Now, you're not going to amaze yourself with the power in the Miata. In fact, I suspect you might be disappointed.”
critical · EverydayDriver · ▶ 3:38“this 2 litre version scarcely gets something close to 170 break which isn't really enough to set the world on fire”
critical · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 3:38“I would say that Miata provides 70% of the engine experience at best compared to an ap2.”
mixed · Zygrene · ▶ 19:11Handling
4.5/519 of 19 reviewersstrong consensus“this is one of the few cars that I've driven where it truly can write a book to you with steering feedback feedback from everywhere too”
positive · Realistick · ▶ 14:21“The steering is amazing. That's the one thing about this car that still makes it fun to drive. The steering is just incredibly heavy and it gives you a lot of feedback.”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 10:46“one corner was all it took to show me that this car is the best handling out of the three so far”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 13:58Fun to drive
5.0/519 of 19 reviewersstrong consensus“it just brings a smile to your face on the most mundane commutes”
positive · Realistick · ▶ 12:46“This is where that perfect 50/50 weight distribution just feels amazing. This car is just incredibly flat, incredibly secure.”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 11:54“It's responsive. You can just drive it out. You don't have to really worry about speeding that much and it's it's fresh that way.”
positive · TheTopher · ▶ 10:23Daily drivability
3.5/519 of 19 reviewerssplit“if you're contemplating this as a daily driver honestly this interior is better than what I was thinking the fit and finish here is actually decent”
positive · Realistick · ▶ 9:54“so much noise from the back of this car you can hear every Rock getting thrown up into the wheel well”
critical · Zygrene · ▶ 15:38“the ride quality is not very good. It's very stiff, it's very loud, even with the top up. There's lots of road noise that creeps in.”
critical · Redline Reviews · ▶ 13:00Value
4.5/519 of 19 reviewerssplit“There's a place in this world where the NC Miata is probably one of the best value sports cars you can buy.”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 19:49“for like a thousand dollars I have a total of 1600 bucks in this car including the cams and including some labor paying somebody to do it”
positive · ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 12:58“for me it's one of the best sports car bargains available right now.”
positive · Classics World · ▶ 11:51Hear it in the reviewer’s words
- 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 - 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