Mazda MX-5 - TopCarNews

Mazda MX-5 (2015 – present) | Expert Rating

Summary

The Mazda MX-5 is a small two-seat roadster, available with a traditional convertible soft top or a targa-style hard top (called the RF). The current fourth-generation model was launched in 2015 (soft top) and 2017 (hard top), and received updated engines and a few other updates in late 2018.

The MX-5 has been universally acclaimed by the UK and international motoring media, with many outstanding review scores and multiple award wins every year since it was launched – including the World Car of the Year award in 2016. At The Car Expert’s inaugural Car of the Year awards in 2021, it was awarded Class Champion for convertibles, as the highest-rated convertible according to our Expert Ratings.

The Mazda MX-5 has received widespread praise for its driving dynamics, light weight and uncompromised sports car experience. The only real criticisms relate to its lack of space and inevitably poor practicality.

As of December 2021, the fourth generation of the Mazda MX-5 holds an Expert Rating of 86%, based on 40 separate reviews published by the UK media.

Key specifications

Body style: Two-door convertible (soft-top or hard-top)Engine: petrol, 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre
Price: From £24,355 on-road

Launched: Summer 2015Last updated: Autumn 2018
Replacement due: TBA

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Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual SE-L Nav soft-topScore: 8.7 / 10“The new 2.0-litre engine transforms the Mazda MX-5 from fun-to-be-in sports car to something that has a bit of extra bite – a slightly darker, more exciting side.”
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Model reviewed: RF targa rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Mazda MX-5 RF is a more practical alternative to the roadster, if just a little less fun to drive.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual R-SportScore: 9 / 10“The involving handling, a powertrain you have to push but can really revel in exploiting, great style, and the option to drop the convertible roof make this special-edition soft-top one of the best yet from Mazda.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 10 / 10“The Mazda MX-5 is a legendary small sports car that delivers driving thrills and everyday usability.”
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Model reviewed: 30th AnniversaryScore: 9 / 10“The 30th Anniversary adds a range of extra equipment but you will have to like orange, as that’s the only colour it comes in.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0 SkyActiv-G 184ps Sport Nav+Score: 8 / 10“It’s hard to cover up the smile on my face, because I know I have the keys to a Mazda MX-5 for the next six months.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Sport Nav+ soft-topScore: 9 / 10“While there’s now a sizeable gap in power and outright performance between the entry-level 1.5-litre Mazda MX-5 and the 2.0-litre model, the 130bhp car isn’t without its charms. It feels a little lighter on its toes, rides well and is still a hoot to drive.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual SE-L Nav+ RF hard-topScore: 9 / 10“The Mazda MX-5 RF is treated to the same updates as the convertible, the most welcome of which is the introduction of a more powerful engine. As before, the RF is the slightly more refined option, but loses just a tiny bit of the soft-top’s sense of occasion while costing more, too.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Sport VentureScore: 8 / 10“Unless you plan on spending any time on a circuit, the entry-level 1.5-litre engine arguably has greater driver appeal than the more potent 2.0-litre unit, delivering engaging performance at road-legal speeds.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual R-SportScore: 9 / 10“Latest limited-run roadster distils the Mazda MX-5 experience to its purest form.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol SkyActiv-G Sport TechScore: 8 / 10“As a hugely capable sports car with more than a touch of civility, this latest iteration of Mazda’s sporting flagship is as much of an all-rounder as it always has been.”
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Model reviewed: 30th AnniversaryScore: 9 / 10“If you’ve never owned a Mazda MX-5, or if you’ve had so many that you’re totally smitten and just want another spin on the merry-go-round or a slice of the 30th birthday cake action, go ahead.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 9 / 10“There isn’t a single area in which this new Mazda MX-5 fails to surpass its predecessor. It’s shorter, lighter, more spacious and better laid out. It’s sharper-looking but still disarming and distinctive. It’s faster, more frugal and even more vibrant and engaging to drive.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual soft-topScore: 10 / 10“We loved it before and we love it even more now. So if you’re in the market for a sub-£30k roadster, the Mazda MX-5 2.0-litre really needs to be on your shopping list. Because this is where the fun’s at.”
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Car

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual soft-topScore: 8 / 10“Fast, fun, frugal (yes – really) and fascinating. Long-live the Mazda MX-5.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual convertibleScore: 9 / 10“The Mazda MX-5 shows that cars don’t need to be overcomplicated, heavy and expensive to be huge fun behind the wheel. The extra comfort and safety features only add to an even more rounded package.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual targa RF Sport BlackScore: 9 / 10“The introduction of the RF Sport Black is a welcome addition to the Mazda MX-5 range. It remains true to the car’s legendary philosophy of being small, nimble and fantastic to drive, but builds on this with new styling details and enhanced trim levels.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.4 / 10“The Mazda MX-5 combines usability, driving fun and dependability to make it one of the most engaging convertibles on the road.”
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Model reviewed: RF targa rangeScore: 8.4 / 10“The Mazda MX-5 RF has a retractable metal roof instead of the standard model’s fabric version, adding an extra dose of style and refinement to an already impressive package.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: RF targa rangeScore: 8 / 10“For those who want a quieter cabin, the Mazda MX-5 RF makes a fine choice, although many will find the cheaper cloth-roofed car perfectly adequate.”
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Model reviewed: Convertible rangeScore: 9 / 10“The Mazda MX-5 has become a sanctuary for anyone that savours cheap and simple, but hugely rewarding motoring.”
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Daily Mail

Model reviewed: (range review)“Part of the MX-5’s charm has been Mazda bravely resisting the temptation to mess too much with a winning formula. Apart from the new engine, the 2019 MX-5 is barely distinguishable stylistically from the aerodynamically sculpted lines of its 2015 predecessor.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual soft-topScore: 10 / 10“An all-round fantastic little package – and arguably amazing value for money.” (Chris Evans)
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Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual RF Sport TechScore: 10 / 10“I hope Mazda never stops building the MX-5. It is, and always has been, the car that gives the best cash-to-smile ratio.”
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Evo

Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 8 / 10“The Mazda MX-5 is better than ever, a distillation of the sports car that has matured into a brilliant little roadster.”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: RF 2.0-litre petrol manual Sport NavScore: 10 / 10“A key reason why we like the Mazda MX-5 so much is that you can enjoy a rewarding driving experience at legal speeds. With higher performance machinery, you’re often finding yourself well above the legal speed limit in an effort to enjoy the car. And another bonus is that the MX-5 is relatively affordable.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual soft-top Sport NavScore: 10 / 10“The new Mazda MX-5 is light and compact, it looks good, it offers a direct driving experience, it’s affordable and relatively economical – what’s not to like?”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 10 / 10“If you want excellent driving dynamics and top-down motoring at a fairly reasonable cost, there is simply no better alternative. There are some great hot hatches for similar money, but none can match the Mazda MX-5 for pure, simple, back-to-basics fun.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Soft-top rangeScore: 8.8 / 10“Proof that a great-handling car needn’t be expensive.”
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Model reviewed: RF hard-top rangeScore: 8.8 / 10“Just like its soft-top sibling, but with added roof-up refinement”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: 20-litre petrol manual soft-top“The two-seater roadster’s naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine means it’s no longer a hairdryer on wheels – it’s a pocket rocket.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Sport Nav+ soft-topScore: 10 / 10“If you are a latte drinker, the Fiat 124 may be your choice. If you like your coffee black, stick with the cheaper Mazda MX-5. The usual resident of this column – J Clarkson – described the MX-5 before it was rebooted as a ‘full-on five-star gem’. Even with rivals closing in, it still is.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual soft-topScore: 10 / 10“The Mazda MX-5 has been the world’s best-selling sports car for about 25 years, thanks to a combination of low price, ease of use and a smile-a-minute factor that’s up there alongside a game of naked Twister with Scarlett Johansson and Cameron Diaz.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Sport Nav+ RF hard-topScore: 10 / 10“Mazda has not changed much with this facelift, but it has addressed the MX-5’s biggest failing: its lack of performance. Now its little roadster has the pace to beat the best – and as for the rest? Well, if it ain’t broke, as they say…”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual RFScore: 10 / 10“Not quite as wieldy as the soft-top, but better looking, with calmer handling and a lot less wind in the hair with the roof down. In fact, the RF is really a quite lovely little machine, although it is a bit expensive. Hardly surprising that it is expected to represent seven in every 10 MX-5s sold in the UK.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre SE-L Nav soft-topScore: 9 / 10“The Mazda MX-5 harks back to a simpler time when power wasn’t the be-all-and-end-all. But this doesn’t mean it feels old fashioned; indeed, it’s a truckload more fun than any roadster this side of £30,000.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“A great examplar for keeping a car’s mechanicals simple. The Mazda MX-5 provides fun at entirely legal speeds.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 8 / 10“The Mazda MX-5 is a terrific two-seat convertible that’s great to drive and won’t cost a fortune to buy or own. It might only be as fast as a Ford Fiesta ST, and doesn’t have the interior luxury of a Mini Convertible, but you can’t beat it for pure driving enjoyment.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: RF range“With the RF, Mazda has made a striking looking, more secure coupé-style alternative to the MX-5 roadster. The RF loses a touch of the simplicity of the fabric-roofed car, but none of its sharp-handling, light-feeling sports car character. It may still not be practical, but it is fantastic fun.”
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Model reviewed: Roadster range“If you think simple, straightforward sports cars had died out long ago, think again. The Mazda MX-5 is a sharp-handling, light-feeling, pure sports car. Not only is it huge fun, it’s also very good value. If you can live with its impracticalities, it’s a fantastic bit of kit.” Rated a BEST BUY.
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 4 stars
Date tested: October 2015

84%

ADULT OCCUPANT

80%

CHILD OCCUPANT

93%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

64%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Mazda MX-5 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic before resuming later in the year.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Mazda MX-5 has received

2021

The Car Expert Awards – Class Champion, convertibles
What Car? Awards – Best Sports Car for Value
Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Sports Car

2020

Carbuyer Awards – Best Sports Car
What Car? Awards – Best Sports Car under £30,000
Auto Express Driver Power – Best Sports Car
Auto Trader Awards – Most Fun Car to Drive
Autocar Awards – Best Affordable Driver’s Car
Autocar Britain’s Best Car Awards – Best Fun Car
Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Sports Car

2019

UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Cabriolet
Auto Express Awards – Roadster of the Year
Auto Express Driver Power – Best Roadster
What Car? Awards – Best Sports Car under £30,000
Auto Trader Awards – Most Loved Car
Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Sports Car

2018

Auto Express Awards – Roadster of the Year
What Car? Awards – Best Convertible
Honest John Awards – Most Popular Convertible
Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Sports Car

2017

Auto Express Awards – Roadster of the Year
Auto Express Driver Power – Gold Award (Roadster + Ride and Handling), Bronze Award (Infotainment, Connectivity and Electrics)
What Car? Awards – Best Convertible
Honest John Awards – Most Popular Convertible
Carbuyer Best Car Awards – Best Sports Car
Red Dot Design Awards – Best of the Best Award
Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best Drop Top

2016

World Car of the Year + World Car Design of the Year
UK Car of the Year + Open Top Car of the Year
Auto Express Awards – Roadster of the Year
What Car? Awards – Best Convertible
Sunday Times Top 100 Cars – Best Roadster and Spider
Autocar Awards – Best Real-World Driver’s Car

2015

Auto Express Awards – Roadster of the Year

2014

Honest John Awards – Convertible Award

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