Though the MX-5 is pretty quick, its primary purpose is not necessarily about speed. The Miata is all about agility, fun and engagement and as a result most of its performance is derived from its lightweight chassis rather than from a big, overpowered engine.
Mazda's engineers went over the car with a fine tooth comb for 2016, and carefully trimmed weight wherever possible. The result was a car that weighs around 2,300 lbs, incredibly light by today's standards and 150 lbs lighter than the car it replaces. That lightness combines with rear-wheel drive to make the Miata one of the best handling cars on the road.
There is only one engine available on the MX-5 Miata, a 2.0L 4-cylinder that makes 155 hp. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission, though a 6-speed automatic is an option and adds about $1,000 to the price of the car. Thanks to the car's lightness, 155 hp should still be enough to get the Miata to 60 mph in under 7 seconds. The most impressive result of the car's light curb weight might be the fuel economy though. The MX-5 Miata is rated at 27 mpg in the city, meaning that owners can really have their cake and eat it too.
The MX-5 comes in three different trims, Sport, Club and Grand Touring, each with their own focus.
The Sport trim aims for purity, stripping back most of the options and giving drivers a chance to really focus on the fun of driving. Standard features on the Sport trim include 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, sporty cloth upholstered seats, air-conditioning, a 6-speaker stereo with USB input, Bluetooth connectivity, a leather shift knob and of course, a manual folding soft top.
The Club trim is more about performance and should be the choice for anyone who wants to take their MX-5 to the track. The Club trim comes standard with bigger, 17-inch wheels, shod in wider rubber than in the Sport trim. The Club trim also includes Bilstein shock absorbers, a limited slip differential (manual transmission only) some additional aero parts and piano black exterior mirrors. Also included with the Club trim is a Bose 9-speaker stereo complete with 7-inch touchscreen monitor. A set of lightweight, forged BBS wheels covering uprated Brembo brakes are optional on the Club trim.
The Grand Touring trim adds just a dash of comfort to the otherwise very focused Miata. Leather seating is included as standard, as is automatic climate control, a built in garage door opener, satellite radio and a host of safety options include a blind spot/lane departure warning system, rain sensing wipers and automatic high beams.
The Mazda MX-5 gets a ground up redesign for 2016. Now in its fourth generation, the MX-5 Miata has been charming buyers with its no frills approach to fun since the late 1980s. The newest MX-5 keeps with tradition by focusing on agility, lightness and a fun driving experience over all else. The Miata has always been one of the most pure driving experiences available and this newest iteration is no different.
Part of the charm of the MX-5 has always been its low cost of entry and the 2016 model continues the tradition of attainable fun. With a base price below $25,000, the MX-5 Miata undercuts rivals such as the Scion FR-S and the Subaru BR-Z. The Miata is also one of the least expensive convertibles on the market.
