Mazda MX-5 Miata
Lightweight, rear-drive, manual roadster. The blueprint nobody else has the discipline to ship.
15 reviewers · 101 videos · 53 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its handling and fun to drive, but split on performance and daily drivability.
across 15 reviewers
"I can't believe you can just go 100 in this miata"
Tedward · ▶ 7:44"it's still like 133 horsepower my s2000 is 200 horsepower so that's a hundred horsepower and there's no way to overcome that"
Zygrene · ▶ 3:37"the Miata feels like it's a sports car you can drive every day and yeah it's really easy to drive"
Touge Time · ▶ 7:13"the cabin is tight and the ride is harsh and it gets a 3 out of 10."
Doug DeMuro · ▶ 21:04"The car was bought for $800... Bam you have a fun Back Road car that's kind of a fun car to beat up on"
ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 3:17"I could have bought a S2000"
Zygrene · ▶ 7:32Performance
3.5/515 of 15 reviewerssplit“I can't believe you can just go 100 in this miata”
positive · Tedward · ▶ 7:44“it's still like 133 horsepower my s2000 is 200 horsepower so that's a hundred horsepower and there's no way to overcome that”
critical · Zygrene · ▶ 3:37“the car is obscenely fast the power is so intense it's no wonder this thing runs at 10 absolutely no shocker there”
positive · ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 11:50Handling
4.5/515 of 15 reviewersstrong consensus“the steerings lovely tactile you know everything that's going on with the front end there's a lovely sense of communication”
positive · Fifth Gear · ▶ 3:38“this is a great great handling car it's it's much better handling than a stock S2000”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 10:47“Because the weight hasn't changed, you can still enjoy it in the corners just as much as before but with all that extra power and torque.”
positive · Hagerty · ▶ 15:23Fun to drive
5.0/515 of 15 reviewersstrong consensus“every day you commute with this car, it is fun.”
positive · Regular Car Reviews · ▶ 4:10“It's just such a natural way of the clutch, the throttle, the gear shift all being calibrated and working together in a way that is absolutely just phenomenally done.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 17:18“well it's a riot”
positive · Fifth Gear · ▶ 3:35Daily drivability
3.0/515 of 15 reviewerssplit“the cabin is tight and the ride is harsh and it gets a 3 out of 10.”
critical · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 21:04“i'm gonna be straight up this car totally overkill you do not need 440 horsepower in an enemy miata”
critical · Tedward · ▶ 9:51“the suspension is on the bumpier side... there was quite a bit of jerkiness jerky bounciness”
critical · Zygrene · ▶ 9:49Value
4.5/515 of 15 reviewerssplit“The car was bought for $800... Bam you have a fun Back Road car that's kind of a fun car to beat up on”
positive · ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 3:17“there's no denying this car provides just about the most fun per dollar imaginable it gets a rare 10 out of 10”
positive · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 21:18“And you combine that with the light chassis, the good fundamentals... and also at a really affordable price point.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 13:37Hear it in the reviewer’s words
- The Drive
2026 Mazda MX-5 RF Review: Is a Miata With a Heavy and Pricey Hardtop Still ‘the Answer’?
◆Worth it, with caveatsThe MX-5 RF is a fantastic, sophisticated sports car, but the hardtop is a compromise that only makes sense if you prioritize its specific aesthetic and security benefits over the purity of the soft top.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a daily-drivable, stylish convertible and don't mind the weight penalty of the hardtop.
- Watch out
- Significant rear blind spot · Drive-by-wire throttle lag · Synthetic leather steering wheel · Weight penalty over soft top
Quotes worth your time - 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