2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review: Specs, Trims & Features

2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review: Specs, Trims & Features

Pros:

• Endlessly thrilling and fun to drive
• One of fewer and fewer new cars still available with a manual gearbox
• Top-down driving experience
• Quick and simple top operation

Cons:

• Cramped cabin compared to larger sports cars
• Not ideal for long-distance cruising comfort

MX-5 Miata at a Glance

Mazda’s iconic MX-5 Miata sports car may boast a diminutive size, but its exuberant personality and fun-to-drive factor are larger than life. This charming two-door convertible delivers an exhilarating driving experience, courtesy of its lightweight build and finely honed chassis.

Just like the editions before it and still to come, the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata thrives on twisty back roads and challenging tracks, offering an endless thrill ride to drivers.

Powering the MX-5 Miata is a spirited 181-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the sole powertrain available. Despite its modest power output, this engine eagerly responds to throttle inputs, perfectly complementing the Miata’s standard six-speed manual transmission.

Mazda provides the Miata with the choice of either a soft top or a retractable fastback hardtop, known as the RF. Regardless of the roof configuration, the Miata truly comes alive with the top down, inviting drivers to embrace an open-air motoring experience.

What’s New for 2024?

For the 2024 model year, Mazda’s beloved little roadster undergoes a subtle yet impactful styling update. The refresh introduces new exterior LED lighting elements, a refined grille, and updated wheel designs, enhancing the car’s aesthetic appeal.

A striking new exterior color joins the Miata’s palette for 2024, too, joining familiar Mazda premium paint options we’ll cover here.

Inside, a larger 8.8-inch infotainment display takes center stage, replacing the previous 7-inch screen, offering drivers enhanced connectivity and control.

Excitingly, all manual transmission-equipped Miatas now come standard with a new, upgraded limited-slip differential, promising improved traction and performance.

Further enhancements to the suspension and power steering systems are aimed at elevating the Miata’s legendary handling prowess, ensuring an exhilarating driving experience on every journey.

In a nod to modern safety standards, Mazda introduces new driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control and rear automated emergency braking, enhancing the overall safety and peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike.

Engine, Transmission, Performance & MPG

The Miata’s engine eagerly responds to the throttle, delivering exhilarating acceleration that prompts drivers to explore its full potential.

Paired with a direct and smooth-shifting manual transmission, the Miata encourages enthusiasts to push the limits, offering a highly engaging driving experience. Even the optional automatic transmission impresses with its swift gear changes and sporty performance.

The soft-top model sprints to 60 mph in a brisk 5.7 seconds, while the slightly heavier hardtop RF model achieved the same feat in 5.8 seconds.

While Miatas maintain a firm and taut ride quality, they can become lively over rapid bumps, particularly with the firmer suspension setup of the Club trim.

Nonetheless, every Miata offers agile and playful handling, complemented by light and communicative steering that keeps drivers connected to the road. In essence, the Miata is simply a joyous and entertaining car to drive.

Given its diminutive size, the 2.0-liter engine in the Miata achieves commendable EPA fuel economy ratings, reaching up to 26 mpg in city driving and an impressive 35 mpg on the highway.

Trim Levels & Prices

The Miata’s trim levels remain the same for 2024 as they did for 2023, with the following editions available:

• MX-5 Miata Sport: $30,170
• MX-5 Miata Club: $34,265
• MX-5 Miata Grand Touring: $35,470
• MX-5 Miata Grand Touring RF: $38,195
• MX-5 Miata Club RF: $41,990

We particularly like the Club trim on the soft-top model, but the Grand Touring does add some creature comforts desirable to many. While we love the benefits of a hardtop convertible, the RF doesn’t provide an authentic drop-top driving experience with its targa-style roof and large blind spots.

We hope Mazda reintroduces a fully retractable hardtop convertible like the previous-generation NC Miata when the upcoming, next-gen NE Miata arrives.

2024 Miata Colors

Mazda’s array of attractive exterior hues paint the 2024 MX-5 Miata’s body, including fan favorites like Soul Red Crystal Metallic.

The new-for-2024 Aero Gray color for the MX-5 Miata (shown below and above) seemingly splits the difference between the stylish Ceramic Metallic (lighter) briefly offered on the ND Miata and the popular Polymetal Gray Metallic (darker and with a gray-blue cast) available on other current Mazda models.

The full list of 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata colors found on the exterior of this lightweight roadster includes:

• Jet Black Mica
• Deep Crystal Blue Mica
• Snowflake White Pearl Mica (+$450 premium color)
• Aero Gray (+$450 premium color, new for 2024)
• Zircon Sand Metallic (+$450 premium color, debuted for 2023)
• Soul Red Crystal Metallic (+$595 premium color)
• Machine Gray Metallic (+$595 premium color)

Interior Features & Tech

The Miata showcases an 8.8-inch touch-screen infotainment system, complemented by an easily accessible commander control knob and buttons on the center console, facilitating user-friendly operation.

Standard features across all Miata models include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration plus Bluetooth connectivity.

For audiophiles, an optional Bose stereo system, complete with speakers integrated into the Miata’s headrests, offers an enhanced sound experience.

Within the cabin, space is snug, tailored for two adults and adorned with only the essentials. Minimal storage compartments and a diminutive trunk mean the Miata isn’t meant for carrying excessive personal belongings.

Its no-nonsense approach prioritizes key elements like the steering wheel, tachometer, and shifter, along with its refreshingly straightforward amenities.

Final Thoughts: 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review

The Miata’s everyday practicality may leave something to be desired, but this pure sports car isn’t meant to be everything to everybody. Its snug cockpit, limited trunk space, and sparse interior storage compartments necessitate compromises for those considering it as a daily driver.

Still, you can’t help but fall in love with the MX-5 Miata sports car and its stellar driving dynamics.