Mazda MX-5 Miata
Lightweight, rear-drive, manual roadster. The blueprint nobody else has the discipline to ship.
6 reviewers · 32 videos · 51 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its handling and fun to drive, but split on performance and daily drivability.
across 6 reviewers
"Out of all the Miatas, I think the NC has the most the most memorable powertrain."
Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 5:24"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"you get things like a notably larger and more livable interior. I also don't feel like I'm sitting on top of the car."
Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 19:51"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
3.0/56 of 6 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
4.5/56 of 6 reviewersstrong consensus“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 · ▶ 13:58“gotta love these NCS steering is so sweet light nimble”
positive · TheTopher · ▶ 2:22Fun to drive
4.5/56 of 6 reviewersstrong consensus“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 · ▶ 10:23“Everything about this car is just so approachable. It's easy to drive. All the driver controls so natural.”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 6:40Daily drivability
3.0/56 of 6 reviewerssplit“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 · ▶ 13:00“you get things like a notably larger and more livable interior. I also don't feel like I'm sitting on top of the car.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 19:51Value
4.5/56 of 6 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“you can get a good condition nc for about 4 000 pounds”
positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 5:01“Brand new, this car is 30 grand, which for what it is, I think is too much money.”
critical · EverydayDriver · ▶ 2:50Hear 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