2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata essentials: Bonus ponies

What is it: The 2019 Mazda MX-5 is a two-seater roadster with no real rivals at this price point. Grand Touring is the top trim available on the MX-5, above Sport and Club. GT models replace 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels with 17’s, add rain sensing wipers, navigation and automatic climate control. Comfort stuff, mainly.

Key Competitors: Honda Civic Si, Volkswagen Golf GTI, Triumph TR6, Subaru BRZ

Base Price: $31,675 As-Tested Price: $33,050

Full review: 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata first drive 

Highlights: The MX-5 steering wheel now tilts and telescopes. Telescoping is new and much appreciated to the short-armed and picky seating position folks among us, like me. Of course, few care about that news compared to Mazda adding 26 horsepower to the 2.0-liter inline-four engine, which now peaks at 181 at 7,000 rpm. Peak torque went up a smidge too, now 151 pound-feet at 4,000 rpm. And Mazda did this without the help of forced induction, which would have added both weight and complication and goes against what the MX-5 is supposed to be. We’re quite happy with it.











Our Opinion: Full disclosure: This test drive occurred on largely straight roads and in temperatures that crested 35 degrees Fahrenheit once, maybe twice. Right off the bat, I can say I did not fully utilize the optional GT-S package, which includes a limited-slip differential, Bilstein dampers, and a front strut tower brace. And that grip from the installed winter tires fell beneath what you’d call sportscar levels. Those tires did keep the MX-5 on the road while driving over an unexpected patch of ice, however.

But the temperature did little to cool our enthusiasm for Mazda’s happy little roadster. The updated motor is brilliant. More power, more revs, more pull, more better. Every gear gives a little extra now and, because the 2.0-liter now revs to 7,500 rpms, it does so longer. And all this good happens without taking away any of the MX-5 litheness and character. The 2016 MX-5 already out-accelerated the previous-generation car, despite having lower peak horsepower, but this update puts a stamp on it.

A couple of quick caveats to point out. While the price makes the idea tempting, the MX-5 wouldn’t make the best commuter car for most of us, the exception being folks who commute to work on a canyon road. On the interstate, the motor, as glorious as it is, hums along north of 3,000 rpm and the convertible top does less than others to dampen out road and wind noise. And then there’s those cup holders — flimsy and awkwardly placed, the chances of losing your morning caffeine to the floormats are higher than most would dare to discover.

But remember, what the MX-5 does well is much more important than what it does poorly. And whether it’s warm or cold, this little roadster provides driving pleasure that nothing at this price point can come close to matching.

–Robin Warner, managing editor

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