Mazda MX-5 Review - Open top driving without too many compromises
Sensibly priced roadsters are a dying breed. If you’re loaded, you can still have an open air experience with a properly engineered drop top…not something that’s had a tin opener to remove the roof.
Those of us of a certain age will remember the good old days of MGBs, MG Midgets, the Triumph offerings of the TR6, Stag, and Spitfire, and a personal favourite, the Honda S2000.
Which is one reason why the Mazda MX-5 continues to be such a success. It follows the tried and tested formula of front engine, rear wheel drive, low seating position and a roof that can be lowered in seconds.
And it’s also affordable with a starting price of £28,605. Okay, if we’re being picky, you can get something like a Caterham Seven which starts at a similar price, but to say it’s a tad primitive is an understatement. If you option the ‘weather gear’ canvas roof, clambering in is like trying to get into a letterbox.
MX-5 Options
Anyway, back to the MX-5.
Choices within the MX-5 range are rather thin on the ground. You can have either the roadster with a canvas roof, or there’s a hard top model called the MX-5 RF (Retractable Fastback).
As for the trims, Prime-Line kicks off everything, then there’s Exclusive-Line (add £2000), and fully stacked Homura, which also gets a bigger engine (add a further £6000).
Powertrain Choices
There are two engine choices depending on which trim you go for. Entry-level Prime-Line is only available with a 1.5-litre petrol 4-cylinder unit which develops 130 bhp and gives you a 0-60mph time of 8.3 seconds. Flat out, you can manage 127 mph. Everything is fed to the rear wheels via one of the nicest 6-speed manual gearboxes you’re ever likely to find. A figure of 45.6mpg is the estimated economy.
Move up to Exclusive-Line and you can now stick with the 1.5-litre engine or opt for a 182bhp 2.0-litre unit. The 0-60mph sprint drops to 6.5 seconds. There are no automatic gearboxes available with either engine. If you go for Exclusive-Line with the bigger engine, add around £3k. Homura trim is only available with the 2.0 litre engine.
Drop top fun - The MX-5 driving experience
When you have a Mazda MX-5, your life will change. They really are that good.
We love roadsters in the UK. If you work on a per-capita basis, we’re arguably the world’s No. 1 market for open top motoring. It’s all down to our weather. If you’ve been to somewhere like Spain or Greece and hired an open top car, you’ll soon regret it because you fry. Here in Blighty, we tend to have sunny but cooler days.
Mazda based its original MX-5 on the Lotus Elan. Put the current MX-5 next to something like a 1970’s Elan, and you’ll immediately spot the similarities. Look deeper into the oily bits, and you’ll find the same idea — Rear Wheel Drive, front engine, 50-50 weight distribution. The driving experience is also similar.
It’s not only the enjoyment you get from driving with the roof down, but it’s the way the MX-5 goes. Having 130bhp from the entry-level 1.5-litre engine might not seem like very much power, but it’s sufficient for this lightweight car, which only weighs a shade over a tonne. You can even turn off some of the traction control and give a bit of rear slide a go in the right conditions.
In fact, it’s great to drive a car where you feel as though you’re doing everything. So many new cars nowadays are loaded with gadgets which either do something for you…or stop you from having a bit of fun. Granted, it’s all in the word of safety, but it means the driving experience can become staid and lifeless.
Not so with the Mazda MX-5. That’s one of the reasons why this little roadster is in the Guinness Book of Records for being the best-selling drop top of all time.
Interior & Kit
It’s decently equipped even in entry level Prime-Line, getting air con, powered windows, 7-inch driver display, heated seats, DAB radio, excellent audio system which has a couple of speakers built into the driver’s headrest, and a clear 8-inch central touchscreen which includes sat nav.
I’d probably spend the extra £2000 and go for Exclusive-Line because this now adds keyless entry, leather upholstery, LED headlights, and a powerful Bose audio system. It makes the car feel a tad more special.
No surprises that the boot is tiny but, as an example, my wife and I went to the Lake District for three nights in the MX-5 and managed to squeeze in two sports-type bags, boots, a couple of coats and some wet weather gear. The canvas roof doesn’t eat into the space.
It’s best described as snug up front but we’re averaged sized folk and had plenty of elbow room.
Lowering and raising the roof is also simple. Just release a clip above the windscreen and throw the roof back until it clicks into the space behind the seats.
“Lively, decently equipped and is something of a bargain”
The Mazda MX-5 offers traditional, British, open top driving without too many compromises. It harks back to the days of simple, seat-of-the-pants driving. It’s lively, decently equipped and is something of a bargain. Mazda will launch an updated Mk5 at some point. I hope they change nothing.
words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Mazda
