Why the Mazda MX-5 is the Best Sports Car on the Market

What Makes the Mazda MX-5 Miata the Ultimate Sports Car?

When it comes to sports cars, few can match the Mazda MX-5 Miata in terms of performance, design, and overall value. First introduced in 1989 and designed to embody the Mazda design motto of Jinba Ittai, the Mazda MX-5, formerly known as the Miata, made an immediate splash in the market due to its simple, balanced design and incredible performance. Over the years, the MX-5 Miata has continued to impress drivers, eventually earning a spot as the bestselling two-seat convertible sports car of all time in 2011.

It’s not surprising that the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata is like its predecessors and on top of the sports car market. If you’re considering a sports car purchase, let’s explore what makes the MX-5 Miata so special, from its responsive handling to its sleek, eye-catching design and advanced features.

What Makes the Mazda MX-5 Miata Stand Out Among Sports Cars?

The features and performance of the Mazda MX-5 Miata stand out in the sports car field on their own. However, what really makes the MX-5 unique among other sports convertibles is the combination of these features with the car’s overall price, which starts as low as $28,050 for the soft top convertible.

When you compare the Mazda MX-5 Miata to other sports cars in its class and at its price point, it doesn’t take long to realize that there is really no competition at all — literally. The Mazda MX-5 Miata earned a solid reputation as a sports car for “regular” people because it is widely affordable for the masses, not just the wealthy. This is a key reason the MX-5 continues to stand out among sports cars.

Performance Features of the Mazda MX-5 Miata

One of the most notable elements of the Mazda MX-5 Miata’s design, both initially in 1989 and in 2023, is its adherence to the Mazda design philosophy of Jinba Ittai, or the unity of rider and horse. Jinba Ittai focuses on the relationship that drivers have with their vehicles, the responsiveness of the car to the driver, and the unity that is achieved when the two work as one. The performance features of the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata, from its engine and transmission to its suspension and handling, reinforce this incredible unity and are part of what makes the MX-5 Miata so much fun to drive.

The Engine and Transmission of the Mazda MX-5 Miata

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a sports car first and foremost, so its power relative to its size and how that power translates to the road is at the heart of the driving experience. For 2023, the MX-5 comes with two different engine sizes: 1.5 liters and 2.0 liters. The 1.5-liter engine offers 130 brake horsepower (bhp) and 112 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque and can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour (mph) in 8.3 seconds. The 2.0-liter engine offers an extra boost of 180 bhp and 151 lb-ft of torque and travels from 0 to 60 mph at a faster rate of 6.5 seconds.

As for the transmission, the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata comes with both automatic and manual transmission options, although the former is only available in the Grand Touring edition.

Suspension and Handling Features of the Mazda MX-5 Miata

When Mazda engineers designed the first Miata in the 1980s, they based it on the legendary British sports car called the Lotus Elan. In real terms, this means they sought to combine a lightweight build with a sensitive steering feel, a feature that lives on in the Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Mazda designed the MX-5 with the driver in mind, creating a near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution between the front and rear of the car, which takes the position and weight of the average driver into consideration. This balance and integration of the driver into the equation mean that the MX-5’s handling is smooth and responsive, with the tight sports car steering feel that drivers want.

Design and Comfort of the Mazda MX-5 Miata

The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata comes in two different convertible sports car styles: the classic soft top MX-5 Miata and the hard top MX-5 Miata RF. Both offer classic styling and the level of interior comfort that defines all Mazda vehicles.

The Stylish and Iconic Look of the Mazda MX-5 Miata

Offered in three different trim styles — Sport, Club, and Grand Touring — the classic soft top Mazda MX-5 Miata stands out for its timeless style that brings to mind the classic 1960s roadsters Mazda used as its design inspiration more than 30 years ago. Details such as rounded taillights work to maintain the classic appeal, while its clean lines connect it to the modern Mazda look and the natural, hand-carved shape of KODO design.

Similarly, the hard top MX-5 Miata RF, available only in Club and Grand Touring editions, offers drivers a sturdier look when the roof is up but the same classic lines and timeless style when the top is down. As a bonus, all 2023 MX-5 Miata RF models come with a fast-track retractable roof that moves up and down in 13 seconds.

The Comfortable and Well-Designed Interior of the Mazda MX-5 Miata

The interior of the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata, like all 2023 models in the Mazda line, focuses on best-in-class comfort and luxury that appear way above the price point of these cars. Top features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob on all models; an optional, custom-designed, eight-speaker Bose® stereo system; and a 7-inch, full color, touchscreen infotainment system.

Technology and Safety Features of the Mazda MX-5 Miata

While driving itself is the main entertainment of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the technology features on the vehicle are also top-notch. Additionally, Mazda kept safety in mind when designing this car.

The Advanced Technology Features of the Mazda MX-5 Miata

In addition to the 7-inch touchscreen, all MX-5 Miata models come with standard Bluetooth connectivity along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Club and Grand Touring models also offer integrated GPS navigation.

The Safety Features That Make the Mazda MX-5 Miata Stand Out

Some of the top safety features that come standard on all Mazda MX-5 Miata models include a lane departure warning system and blind spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert system. Each model also contains dual front and side-impact airbags and side-impact door beams.

What Others Are Saying About the Mazda MX-5 Miata

When it debuted in 1989, the Miata stood out among sports cars for its power, performance, and affordability, and that is still true in 2023. A favorite model on top automobile review sites, the MX-5 Miata’s accolades include:

• Car & Driver Editor’s Choice
• 4.8/5.0 stars on Kelley Blue Book
• Ranked #4 in sports cars by U.S. News and World Report
• Ranked #1 in performance convertibles by Motor Trend
• Ranked #2 compact sporty car by J.D. Power & Associates

The praise for the MX-5 Miata ranges from its look and feel to its price and handling, but it’s best summed up by Colin Ryan, writing for Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com), “It’s brilliant. Buy it. The end.”

Test Drive the Mazda MX-5 Miata at DePaula Mazda in Albany, NY, Today!

The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata is truly a joy to drive and a pleasure to own, but don’t take our word for it. Come experience this legendary sports car yourself at DePaula Mazda. Contact us or stop by our showroom in Albany, NY, today to test drive the MX-5 Miata or MX-5 Miata RF and learn why this is the best sports car on the market.