Mazda MX-5

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual SE-L Nav soft-top
Score: 8.7 / 10
“The new 2.0-litre engine transforms the Mazda MX-5 from fun-to-be-in sports car to something that has a bit of extra bite – a slightly darker, more exciting side.”
Read review

Model reviewed: RF targa range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mazda MX-5 RF is a more practical alternative to the roadster, if just a little less fun to drive.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“For pure driving thrills on a fairly modest budget – helped by low running costs – the Mazda MX-5 is very hard to beat.”
Author: Alex Ingram, Ellis Hyde
Read review

Model reviewed: RF (2023)
Score: 7 / 10
“The MX-5 RF is great to drive and proves once again that huge power and ballistic speed aren’t always necessary to really enjoy a performance car. The cabin is in desperate need of an update, though.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Homura
Score: 9 / 10
“Mazda knows the MX-5 didn’t need a huge revamp to maintain its wonderful character, so these 2023 model year changes are fairly minimal. The price tag may have risen again, but the MX-5 keeps its position as the go-to roadster for those looking for a simply joyful driving experience.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual R-Sport
Score: 9 / 10
“The involving handling, a powertrain you have to push but can really revel in exploiting, great style, and the option to drop the convertible roof make this special-edition soft-top one of the best yet from Mazda.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 30th Anniversary
Score: 9 / 10
“The 30th Anniversary adds a range of extra equipment but you will have to like orange, as that’s the only colour it comes in.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0 SkyActiv-G 184ps Sport Nav+
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s hard to cover up the smile on my face, because I know I have the keys to a Mazda MX-5 for the next six months.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Sport Nav+ soft-top
Score: 9 / 10
“While there’s now a sizeable gap in power and outright performance between the entry-level 1.5-litre Mazda MX-5 and the 2.0-litre model, the 130bhp car isn’t without its charms. It feels a little lighter on its toes, rides well and is still a hoot to drive.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual SE-L Nav+ RF hard-top
Score: 9 / 10
“The Mazda MX-5 RF is treated to the same updates as the convertible, the most welcome of which is the introduction of a more powerful engine. As before, the RF is the slightly more refined option, but loses just a tiny bit of the soft-top’s sense of occasion while costing more, too.”
Read review

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 9 / 10
“The Mazda MX-5 is an outstanding sports car that’s more relevant than ever.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Sport Venture
Score: 8 / 10
“Unless you plan on spending any time on a circuit, the entry-level 1.5-litre engine arguably has greater driver appeal than the more potent 2.0-litre unit, delivering engaging performance at road-legal speeds.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual R-Sport
Score: 9 / 10
“Latest limited-run roadster distils the Mazda MX-5 experience to its purest form.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol SkyActiv-G Sport Tech
Score: 8 / 10
“As a hugely capable sports car with more than a touch of civility, this latest iteration of Mazda’s sporting flagship is as much of an all-rounder as it always has been.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 30th Anniversary
Score: 9 / 10
“If you’ve never owned a Mazda MX-5, or if you’ve had so many that you’re totally smitten and just want another spin on the merry-go-round or a slice of the 30th birthday cake action, go ahead.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual soft-top
Score: 10 / 10
“We loved it before and we love it even more now. So if you’re in the market for a sub-£30k roadster, the Mazda MX-5 2.0-litre really needs to be on your shopping list. Because this is where the fun’s at.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual soft-top
Score: 8 / 10
“Fast, fun, frugal (yes – really) and fascinating. Long-live the Mazda MX-5.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual convertible
Score: 9 / 10
“The Mazda MX-5 shows that cars don’t need to be overcomplicated, heavy and expensive to be huge fun behind the wheel. The extra comfort and safety features only add to an even more rounded package.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual targa RF Sport Black
Score: 9 / 10
“The introduction of the RF Sport Black is a welcome addition to the Mazda MX-5 range. It remains true to the car’s legendary philosophy of being small, nimble and fantastic to drive, but builds on this with new styling details and enhanced trim levels.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Mazda MX-5 combines usability, driving fun and dependability to make it one of the most engaging convertibles on the road.”
Author: Charlie Harvey, Andy Goodwin
Read review

Model reviewed: RF targa range
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Mazda MX-5 RF has a retractable metal roof instead of the standard model’s fabric version, adding an extra dose of style and refinement to an already impressive package.”
Read review

Model reviewed: RF targa range
Score: 8 / 10
“For those who want a quieter cabin, the Mazda MX-5 RF makes a fine choice, although many will find the cheaper cloth-roofed car perfectly adequate.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Convertible range
Score: 9 / 10
“The Mazda MX-5 has become a sanctuary for anyone that savours cheap and simple, but hugely rewarding motoring.”
Read review

Model reviewed: (range review)
“Part of the MX-5’s charm has been Mazda bravely resisting the temptation to mess too much with a winning formula. Apart from the new engine, the 2019 MX-5 is barely distinguishable stylistically from the aerodynamically sculpted lines of its 2015 predecessor.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual soft-top
Score: 10 / 10
“An all-round fantastic little package – and arguably amazing value for money.” (Chris Evans)
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual RF Sport Tech
Score: 10 / 10
“I hope Mazda never stops building the MX-5. It is, and always has been, the car that gives the best cash-to-smile ratio.”
Read review

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mazda MX-5 is better than ever, a distillation of the sports car that has matured into a brilliant little roadster.”
Read review

Model reviewed: RF 2.0-litre petrol manual Sport Nav
Score: 10 / 10
“A key reason why we like the Mazda MX-5 so much is that you can enjoy a rewarding driving experience at legal speeds. With higher performance machinery, you’re often finding yourself well above the legal speed limit in an effort to enjoy the car. And another bonus is that the MX-5 is relatively affordable.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual soft-top Sport Nav
Score: 10 / 10
“The new Mazda MX-5 is light and compact, it looks good, it offers a direct driving experience, it’s affordable and relatively economical – what’s not to like?”
Read review

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 10 / 10
“If you want excellent driving dynamics and top-down motoring at a fairly reasonable cost, there is simply no better alternative. There are some great hot hatches for similar money, but none can match the Mazda MX-5 for pure, simple, back-to-basics fun.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Soft-top range
Score: 8.8 / 10
“Proof that a great-handling car needn’t be expensive.”
Read review

Model reviewed: RF hard-top range
Score: 8.8 / 10
“Just like its soft-top sibling, but with added roof-up refinement”
Read review

Model reviewed: 20-litre petrol manual soft-top
“The two-seater roadster’s naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine means it’s no longer a hairdryer on wheels – it’s a pocket rocket.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Sport Nav+ soft-top
Score: 10 / 10
“If you are a latte drinker, the Fiat 124 may be your choice. If you like your coffee black, stick with the cheaper Mazda MX-5. The usual resident of this column – J Clarkson – described the MX-5 before it was rebooted as a ‘full-on five-star gem’. Even with rivals closing in, it still is.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual soft-top
Score: 10 / 10
“The Mazda MX-5 has been the world’s best-selling sports car for about 25 years, thanks to a combination of low price, ease of use and a smile-a-minute factor that’s up there alongside a game of naked Twister with Scarlett Johansson and Cameron Diaz.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Sport Nav+ RF hard-top
Score: 10 / 10
“Mazda has not changed much with this facelift, but it has addressed the MX-5’s biggest failing: its lack of performance. Now its little roadster has the pace to beat the best – and as for the rest? Well, if it ain’t broke, as they say…”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual RF
Score: 10 / 10
“Not quite as wieldy as the soft-top, but better looking, with calmer handling and a lot less wind in the hair with the roof down. In fact, the RF is really a quite lovely little machine, although it is a bit expensive. Hardly surprising that it is expected to represent seven in every 10 MX-5s sold in the UK.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre SE-L Nav soft-top
Score: 9 / 10
“The Mazda MX-5 harks back to a simpler time when power wasn’t the be-all-and-end-all. But this doesn’t mean it feels old fashioned; indeed, it’s a truckload more fun than any roadster this side of £30,000.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“A great examplar for keeping a car’s mechanicals simple. The Mazda MX-5 provides fun at entirely legal speeds.”
Read review

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mazda MX-5 is a terrific two-seat convertible that’s great to drive and won’t cost a fortune to buy or own. It might only be as fast as a Ford Fiesta ST, and doesn’t have the interior luxury of a Mini Convertible, but you can’t beat it for pure driving enjoyment.”
Read review