There once was a time when light, precision-handling roadsters were all an enthusiast needed to fulfill his or her automotive fantasies. Well, at least that was the case across the pond. While European and Italian marques like Triumph, MG, and Alfa Romeo found their niche among U.S. sports car buyers, it wasnt until Mazda introduced its Miata in 1989 that Americans had a genuine power-to-weight champion for the massescourtesy of Japan.
But even Mazda couldnt resist the trend over recent years to inflate and inject power into its iconic sports car, while other great roadsters like Hondas S2000, Porsches Boxster, and BMWs Z3 either disappeared or became shadows of their original forms. Yes, more stringent safety and emissions regulations mandated added heft, but it appeared there was little fight from automakers to plump and power up their once-featherweight offerings.
Which brings us to one of the most interesting vehicles this year: the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND generation). By the numbers, it would appear Mazda has crafted a cocktail of equal parts back-to-basics roadster and advanced engineering. As an owner of the original, NA Miata, I brought some lofty expectations to this first drive.
Taught And Tame
Perhaps the first, positive indication that Mazda took this ND generation MX-5 Miata seriously is that it weighs just about the same as the 1.8-liter 1994 U.S.-spec Miata, and only 200 pounds more than the original 1990 car. To put its 2,332-pound curb weight into modern sports car perspective, the carbon-fiber Alfa Romeo 4C weighs 133 pounds more than the 2016 MX-5 Miata.
Mazda has also refined the cabin and added a slew of creature comforts that make its ultra-light figure that much more impressive. While the Miata remains a car for those who were never NBA contenders, individuals up to 6 3 are able to nestle into the NDs bucket seats in well-bolstered comfort. And once youre in the drivers seat, you start to notice the strategic use of materials and ergonomics throughout the cabin. The steering wheel, while not excessively thick, has a small diameter and well-placed notches for your hands, the pedals are spaced perfectly for heel-toe downshifting, the shifter is sturdy and has an excellent shape, and the clutch pedal is light but communicative. Heck, the two cup holders are smartly placed just behind the drivers right elbow to allow for undisturbed shifting. The uncluttered layout lets you focus on the road.
Visibility over the steeply descending hood is excellent and lets the driver place the front wheels during cornering far better than the previous generation MX-5. Mazdas Connect infotainment system is one of the best in the industry, with excellent feedback from the selection dial, quick responses from the system, smart button redundancies, and a clear navigation readout. While I wish Mazda had embraced Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Connect system does offer a host of social apps. Mazda has even improved upon the manual folding soft-top, which can be closed with one hand in my fastest recorded time of 4 seconds.
Handsomely Sculpted Physique
The exterior styling is also a big step in the right direction, and brings the MX-5 in line with Mazdas attractive Kodo Design language. The story of the fourth-generation Miatas featherweight character is told through the new bodywork. Its sharp creases appear to result from someone stretching the body panels as tightly as possible around its figure. The hood has bold arches over the front wheels, and the taillights which are as close together as regulations will allow give the MX-5 a wide stance as you look at the flared rear wheel fenders.
Mazda has crafted a cocktail of equal parts back-to-basics roadster and advanced engineering.
One unfortunate concession to the Miatas tucked in tail is that the trunk opening is fairly narrow, but space inside is reasonable. The 2016 MX-5s front and rear overhangs are the shortest of any production sports car and give it a lower, more streamlined stance. Classic Miata design cues like the single round taillights remain while new squinty-eyed headlights and a wide-mouthed (though less smiley) grille have been added. Standard 16-inch gloss-black wheels add to the 2016 MX-5s low, sleek stance. The Club trim packages gloss black front splitter, side sills, and rear diffuser add a low, aggressive look. Sexy has never been an adjective used to describe the looks of the Miata, but handsome seems to fit the NDs exterior quite nicely.
Motivated To Please
But a comfortable cabin and attractive exterior have been, and always will be, secondary to a Mazda Miatas driving experience, and heres where the 2016 MX-5s case is truly made. While the fourth-generations 2.0-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder is down 12 horsepower from the previous generation for a total of 155 HP, it makes more torque 148 pound-feet and weighs about 200 pounds less than the NC. The powertrain is ported from the Mazda3, but theres a new exhaust manifold, oil pan, fuel pump, and lighter flywheel before its slotted beneath the Miatas bonnet. The engine has also been tuned for premium, 91-octane fuel, which Mazda claims sharpens the throttle response significantly.
The 2016 MX-5 Miata can get to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and tops out at 129 mph. While an entry-level Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Camaro will still blitz the MX-5 from a stand-still, the sensation of speed in the new Miata is pure joy. The shifting is crisp through all six gears, and just like the original Miata, theres a sense of invitation from this roadster to plant your right foot to the floor and keep it there. With a sensible amount of low-down torque to get the Miata up to speed, the SkyActiv engine really sings through third and fourth gear above 3,000 rpm. With the top down, the MX-5s engine noise is muted, but with the top up, the little 2.0-liter is plenty feisty. The Miata has always been a momentum car, but now the ND generation can get you up to speed faster than ever.
Thankfully, the NDs well-sorted chassis, capable braking, and finely tuned suspension will take care of those who listen to the sirens song for more throttle. While Mazda decided to ditch the hydraulic steering rack for an electrically-assisted unit, theres still ample communication from the tires and turn-in is quick and precise. The steering is light on center, but builds in weight through cornering, which makes you almost forget theres any electrical assistance during spirited driving. Its not difficult to make the Sport-spec 2016 Miata sway through turns, but it feels solidly planted unless you feel the need for a touch of lift-off oversteer. When you add the Clubs sturdier handling hardware, the roadster feels just as planted around corners as sports cars costing four times as much. Id need to take the ND to the track to truly get a sense of its at-the-limit handling characteristics, but the level of control that this new generation affords the driver is fantastic.
Theres a reason the Miata is the vehicle of choice for novice and advanced track-day enthusiasts alike: its performance is uniquely scalable. That said, even weekend racers will spend the vast majority of their time behind the wheel of the MX-5 cruising around town. And though the 2016 Miatas suspension doesnt channel a luxury car, it manages to keep moderate road imperfections from reaching the drivers backside.
The Price of Performance
Thoroughly taken with the 2016 MX-5 Miatas performance chops, Im left to ponder the roadsters value for money. The entry-level MX-5 Miata Sport starts at $24,915, a premium of $945 over the current generation but with more standard features like Bluetooth, LED headlights, a cloth roof (as opposed to vinyl), a sixth gear, and of course a more handsome visage. The Sport trim is the earnest value-for-money price point, but if youre looking for more daily-driving or track-focused hardware, heres the spread.
Its sharp creases appear to result from someone stretching the body panels as tightly as possible around its figure
The 2016 MX-5 Miata Club starts at $28,600 and adds a sport suspension with Bilstein shocks, a shock tower brace, front and rear air dams, a trunk spoiler, and a limited-slip differential. Youre also free to tack on the Brembo Package that includes 17-inch forged BBS wheels, Brembo front brakes, aerodynamic rocker-panel extensions and rear bumper trim for an extra $3,400. At $30,065, the Grand Touring variant forgoes the performance bits for the first time in exchange for leather seats, automatic climate control, sensor-based safety features, and a 7.0-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system with navigation (the infotainment system is also standard on the Club model sans navigation). Club and GT trim levels are also available with a six-speed automatic transmission for an extra $730.
Not only is the new MX-5 quicker than before, its significantly more fuel efficient. The previous generation averaged 22 city and 28 highway miles per gallon, but the manual-equipped ND achieves 27 city and 34 highway mpg while the automatic version improves the highway efficiency to 36 mpg.
After driving each version, its clear the performance enhancements from the Club designation are worth the $3,685 premium over the base Sport-spec. The Brembo front brakes are phenomenal, but you could probably save money by tacking on a set of track-pads and skipping the package. I couldnt justify the additional $5,150 buyers will need to spend to get the GT trim, especially without the improved suspension, but some consumers cant live without heated leather seats and safety technology.
Conclusion
Whichever way you slice it, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a beautiful reminder of what nimble roadsters can and should be: engaging. There are some remarkably good sports cars on the market right now, at all different price points, but few deliver the kind of driving pleasure that the fourth-generation Miata embodies, at any speed. The ND Miata isnt just a good value for the money, its a great ride and a good value for time behind the wheel.
Highs
- A Kodo-liciously handsome design
- A nimble, compliant chassis
- A punchy, rev-happy powertrain
- Predictable, planted handling
- Precise, responsive steering
Lows
2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Everything we love about the Miata, but smaller.
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