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2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
6 photos

Mazda MX-5 Miata highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • Engaging to drive
  • Manual soft top is easy to operate
  • Smooth ride
  • Fuel-efficient for a sports car

Cons

  • Limited interior space
  • Small trunk space
  • Loud cabin at highway speeds

Mileage (EPA estimate)

26 city, 34 highway, 29 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

6 photos
Price
Year

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All Mazda MX-5 Miata years

What is new for the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

  • The Sport trim now comes with Overhead Airbags as standard equipment.
  • The Club trim now comes with Overhead Airbags, Satellite Radio Ready, and BOSE Sound System as standard equipment.
  • The RF Grand Touring trim now comes with Overhead Airbags as standard equipment.

2023 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

Grand Touring:

Mazda MX-5 Miata photos

5 reasons to buy the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata

1. Engaging drive

The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata is built for one thing: driving pleasure. Its precise steering and athletic handling make it a joy to drive, especially on curvy roads. The rear-wheel-drive layout adds to the car's engaging dynamics, ensuring enjoy every moment as you navigate through twists and turns. This is a sports car, but it's not about straight-line speed, it's about the whole experience from sitting in the driver's seat to putting your foot down to experiencing the low center of gravity through the corners.

2. Balanced performance

The 181-horsepower engine gives balanced performance. Because the 2023 MX-5 Miata is a lightweight sports car, that powertrain is enough for a spirited drive while also balancing fuel economy. The 2.0L automatic model gets an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined while the manual gets 29 mpg.

This means you can enjoy everything a sports coupe has to offer without frequent stops at the pump.

3. Practical soft top

The 2023 MX-5 Miata's soft top adds a layer of practicality to this sports car. It allows for open-top fun, letting you enjoy the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. While it's not automatic, it's surprisingly easy to operate. You can even open and close it with just one hand.

4. Great daily driver

Some sports cars offer a stiff ride that sacrifices comfort but Mazda has found a great balance with the MX-5 Miata. Bumps in the road are smoothed out for added comfort and you've got a decent amount of technology in the cabin. The base model has cruise control alongside Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto integration to make driving easier and more fun. While space isn't abundant, most drivers will find it enough with 43.1 inches of legroom.

5. Sports-car style

Perhaps one of the best things about the MX-5 is its good looks. Along with the engaging driving dynamics, this looks like a sports car. The sportiest 2023 model is the Club trim, which adds plenty of interior features (such as heated seats and a Bose® sound system) as well as a few design details such as contrast stitching, a black front lip, and a rear spoiler. Look out for Club models with the available Brembo® package that adds Recaro sports seats, Brembo brakes, and an aerodynamic body kit.

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

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

Sport 2WD 2D Convertible

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Cloth Seats
  • Cruise Control
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Manual Transmission
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Soft Top
  • Traction Control
  • Navigation System
  • 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

48.6"

Leg room

F 43.1"

Head room

F 37.4"

Front tires

P195/50VR16

Rear tires

P195/50VR16

Seating capacity

2

Transmission

Manual 6

2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata FAQ

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