Mazda MX-5 Reviews

The ND MX-5 has, in the last few years, added a GT RS variant to the top of the food chain, bringing performance-focused additions to the iconic sports car.

The fourth-generation MX-5 retains traditional sports car simplicity, while offering some creature comforts in its mid-spec GT variant for a little extra cash over the base Roadster or RF.

Mazda has made small changes to the MX-5 to bring it up to date, so we test the sports car on the road and on track to find out if it's still the best value top-down sports car around.

The Mazda MX-5 is a bit of a legend in the automotive world, but the fourth-generation, 'ND' model has been around for nearly seven years now. So, the Japanese brand has used its electronic smarts to try and make it even better. Have the changes worked?

The Mazda MX-5 is revered the world over, and for good reason. As far as sports cars go, it ticks all of the important boxes. That's not to say it's without room for improvement, though. Enter its 2021 update, which introduces a sporty new flagship. Spoiler alert: it somehow improves the breed.

Three decades ago Mazda's MX-5 brought an affordable two-seat roadster back into the mainstream. This bright orange, limited-edition beastie has been created to celebrate its 30th birthday.

If you're a true believer in the theory that weight is the enemy of performance, one of the guiding principles of the Mazda MX-5, then this $41,960 variant is the one for you. It's got the old, cloth-style roof rather than the fancy, and far heavier, folding hard top, and you really can feel the difference. But with the GT - unlike the base model 1.5-litre roadster - you get the properly fizzing new version of the 2.0-litre engine, making 135kW/205Nm, pushed to the rear wheels through either a fantastic six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed auto that's nowhere near as much fun.Standard kit from the base car includes a new reversing camera, 16-inch alloy wheels, now black metallic for extra visual menace,  LED headlamps, power mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, climate-control air, black cloth seats, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with 'MZD Connect', an audio system with six speakers and DAB+ (but no CD player), Bluetooth streaming, internet radio integration, satellite navigation, 'Smart City Brake Support', or AEB, 'Traffic Sign Recognition', and blind-spot monitoring.Stepping up to this GT throws in 17-inch alloys, adaptive LED headlights and DRLs, black or tan leather seats, a Bose premium stereo with nine speakers, keyless entry, 'Driver Attention Alert', lane-departure warning and reverse parking sensors, and Smart City Brake Support in reverse. The new car also gets a telescopically adjustable steering wheel, which makes the perfect driving position even more perfect.

If you really must have a hard roof, with the attendant increase in weight (and lifting of the centre of gravity), then you'll be very happy with the RF, as it's a solid feeling lid that opens and shuts with minimal fuss (although you have to be doing less than 10km/h - ie basically stopped - to use it). Remarkably, at this entry level, the price comes in under $40K, just at $39,400. And you do get the properly fizzing new version of the 2.0-litre engine (RF is not available with the 1.5), making 135kW/205Nm, pushed to the rear wheels through either a fantastic six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed auto that's nowhere near as much fun.Standard kit for the base car includes a new reversing camera, 16-inch alloy wheels, now black metallic for extra visual menace,  LED headlamps, power mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, climate-control air, black cloth seats, a 7-inch touch screen with 'MZD Connect', an audio system with six speakers and DAB+ (but no CD player), Bluetooth streaming, internet radio integration, satellite navigation, 'Smart City Brake Support', or AEB, 'Traffic Sign Recognition',  and blind-spot monitoring.The new car also gets a telescopically adjustable steering wheel, which makes the perfect driving position even more perfect.

If you like your MX-5 with the lot, this is the car for you, at $45,960, which gets you not only the fizzing new version of the 2.0-litre engine (RF is not available with the 1.5), making 135kW/205Nm, pushed to the rear wheels through either a fantastic six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed auto that's nowhere near as much fun.What you also get is the full suite of safety systems, so everything on entry level plus 'Driver Attention Alert', lane-departure warning and reverse parking sensors, and 'Smart City Brake Support' in reverse. You also get  17-inch  alloys, adaptive LED headlights and DRLs, black or tan leather seats, a Bose premium stereo with nine speakers and keyless entry.And, as on all new versions, your steering wheel is now telescopically adjustable for your comfort.  

Mazda has given its legendary MX-5 convertible fun box yet another face lift, with most of the effort this time going on making its 2.0-litre engine more powerful.