It is arduous to not get excited with a lightweight, nimble roadster just like the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The Japanese automaker claims it has offered greater than 1,000,000 MX-5’s since debuting in 1989, making it the best-selling two-seat roadster globally. The 2024 MX-5 stays a part of the fourth-gen ND variant that first appeared in 2015, however Mazda has repeatedly peppered its beloved roadster with aware updates to enhance its famend steadiness, nifty dealing with, and fun-to-drive persona.
The brand new Mazda MX-5 is on the market in Sport, Membership, and Grand Touring trim grades. All get a 2.0 liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. Rivals just like the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ have stronger 228 horsepower Boxer engines, however the MX-5 was by no means about balls-out energy and fury.
As an alternative, the MX-5 exemplifies the purity of open-top driving with a entrance engine, rear-wheel drive structure, an ideal 50:50 entrance and rear weight distribution, a folding smooth or hardtop roof, and trendy appurtenances to make tech-savvy drivers smile from ear to ear. Nonetheless, some new options within the 2024 MX-5 are price concentrating on, and we have listed 4 that may in all probability make it the sharpest-driving instrument for beneath $30,000.
Six-speed guide transmission
Solely the range-topping Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring is on the market with an non-compulsory six-speed computerized gearbox, and we perceive why some drivers would fork out extra cash for an auto-equipped MX-5. An computerized would bode nicely for a daily-driven Miata, and it is an appropriate gateway into the roadster expertise minus the steep studying curve of manually shifting gears.
Nonetheless, to know why the MX-5 has change into such an iconic title in convertible sports activities vehicles, solely a guide stick will do, and we applaud Mazda for persistently providing the MX-5 with a guide transmission. The bottom MX-5 Sport and midgrade MX-5 Membership are unique with the six-speed guide field, and the top-of-the-line MX-5 Grand Touring stays guide as commonplace regardless of providing an non-compulsory computerized.
The talk on whether or not a guide or computerized gearbox is best will linger for so long as gearheads exist, however for max roadster enjoyment, save your self the difficulty and go for the guide. In any other case, the automated is ok, and we’re grateful it isn’t a CVT.
Steering and dealing with enhancements
The 2024 Mazda MX-5 will get a brand new steering rack with decrease friction and up to date energy steering software program. Mazda notes that the modifications have additional refined the MX-5’s steering character whereas giving it a tighter on-center really feel. Furthermore, the steering is extra exact when attacking corners whereas providing a extra relaxed drive on these lengthy freeway cruises.
In the meantime, all MX-5 Miata roadsters have the model’s Kinematic Posture Management (KPC) suspension know-how. The system makes use of software program to use slight braking to the internal rear wheel when cornering, serving to deaden physique roll and making the steering really feel extra direct. As well as, the KPC system applies a touch stronger braking drive when rocketing out of a nook to boost the consequences of the limited-slip differential. Mazda claims KPC helps the MX-5 “behave as a harmonious extension of the motive force’s physique with out including a single gram of weight.”
All trim grades get KPC, however solely the MX-5 Membership and Grand Touring guide transmission fashions obtain an up to date uneven, torque-sensing limited-slip differential (LSD). That includes a conical clutch and a re-engineered cam mechanism, the uneven LSD permits a stronger lockup beneath engine braking and lowered lockup when accelerating, serving to mitigate oversteer and understeer.
Brembo BBS Recaro Package deal
The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Membership has an out there Brembo BBS Recaro package deal that provides numerous styling and performance-enhancing goodies. The record contains pink Brembo brake calipers, 17-inch solid BBS wheels, a rear bumper skirt, black facet sill extensions, and heated Recaro seats. The package deal is commonplace within the MX-5 Miata RF Membership trim grade and provides a contrasting black roof.
Sweetening the pot nonetheless is an all-new monitor function within the MX-5 Miata Membership’s dynamic stability management (DSC) program. The system now has various thresholds of engagement, enabling the motive force to regulate between absolutely engaged or absolutely disabled. Mixed with the brand new uneven LSD and Mazda’s KPC system, the DSC monitor function will unleash the race-ready capabilities of the MX-5 Miata.
The Miata would not be amiss on any given monitor day with its nimble, light-weight, rear-wheel drive platform making it a worthy racing machine – based on Mazda deserving a distinction of being “probably the most raced automotive on the planet.”
Styling and gear updates
The brand new Mazda MX-5 has redesigned LED headlights with refreshed driving lights, new LED taillamps, recent wheel designs, and new Aero Grey paint. The modifications proceed inside with further padding within the heart console, a brand new instrument cluster, and an 8.8-inch infotainment display screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa.
The bottom Mazda MX-5 Sport has an ordinary black fabric roof, a rear glass window with defogger, 16-inch wheels, a six-speaker stereo, a tilt and telescoping leather-based steering wheel, and fabric bucket seats. It additionally presents keyless entry, local weather management, and superior driving aids like lane departure warning and blind-spot monitoring.
The MX-5 Membership provides 17-inch wheels, Bilstein dampers, a shock tower brace, a black entrance air dam, a rear lip spoiler, fabric seats with suede accents, a trunk-mounted sharks fin antenna, and a Bose stereo with 9 audio system, together with headrest-mounted audio system for the motive force and a subwoofer.
Lastly, the range-topping MX-5 Grand Touring provides body-color heated facet mirrors, heated leather-based seats, adaptive LED headlights, computerized local weather management, navigation, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise management.