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2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
6 photos

Mazda MX-5 Miata highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • Fun to drive at any speed
  • Fuel-sipping performance
  • Quick and effortless manual operation of the soft top
  • Smooth ride

Cons

  • Limited interior and trunk space
  • Noticeable cabin noise at higher speeds, even with the top raised

Mileage (EPA estimate)

26 city, 34 highway, 29 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

6 photos
Price
Year

All Mazda MX-5 Miata years

What is new for the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

  • The 100th Anniversary and RF 100th Anniversary trims have been discontinued for 2021.
  • The Sport trim now comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Overhead Airbags as standard equipment.

2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata trims

Curious how Mazda MX-5 Miata trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Sport:

Club:

Grand Touring:

RF Club:

RF Grand Touring:

Mazda MX-5 Miata photos

5 reasons to buy the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata

1. Epic driving experience

The open road awaits, and your 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata will absolutely be the ideal driving companion. The rear-wheel drive, open-top roadster is an essential experience for any enthusiast, and the 181-horsepower 2021 Miata certainly delivers. With a sport-tuned chassis, standard six-speed manual transmission, and open-air driving, you just can't beat the 2021 MX-5 Miata for pure driving enjoyment.

2. Impressive MPG

Driving a convertible sports car doesn't have to mean sacrificing miles per gallon. The 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined (26 city/34 highway) from its 2.0L four-cylinder engine when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission and 30 mpg combined with the automatic.

That means that you don't just get impressive "smg" (smiles per gallon) out on the open road, you'll get a pretty impressive mpg rating as well.

3. Latest connectivity

You'll of course need to bring along your favorite playlist to accompany you on your favorite road. That means finding a vehicle that has the latest connectivity. Even the base Sport trim of the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata has Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto smartphone integration as well as two USB ports. Plus, it's all easy to view on the standard seven-inch touchscreen.

4. Comfort features

Living the sports car life doesn't have to mean that you compromise on comfort. Look out for the Grand Touring trim and you'll find impressive upgrades to make your next road trip that much more comfortable. So if you are looking for features like leather upholstery, automatic climate control, and heated mirrors, you're in luck.

5. Sport upgrades

The base 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata is called the Sport, which means you should expect an entertaining driving experience. However, take a look at the Club trim and you'll find the sportiest overall option in the 2021 MX-5 lineup. In addition to the limited-slip differential, which enhances traction during acceleration, you'll also get a strut tower brace, and an upgraded suspension setup featuring Bilstein shock® absorbers.

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4.8 out of 5

4 customer reviews
4
Excellent

RepairPal gave the Mazda MX-5 Miata an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Mazda MX-5 Miata 9th out of 27 among Subcompact Cars.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Mazda MX-5 Miata

Mazda MX-5 Miata features and specs

RF Grand Touring 2WD 2D Convertible

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • BOSE Sound System
  • Cruise Control
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Hard Top
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Leather Seats
  • Navigation System
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Traction Control
  • Rear Spoiler

Drive Wheels

Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

2.0L

Horsepower

181

Torque (ft-lbs)

151

Engine type

Gas

Fuel capacity

11.9

Wheelbase

90.9"

Overall length

154.1"

Width

68.3"

Height

49"

Leg room

F 43.1"

Head room

F 36.8"

Front tires

P205/45WR17

Rear tires

P205/45WR17

Seating capacity

2

Transmission

Automatic

2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata FAQ

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