2022 What kind of vehicle is the Mazda MX-5 Miata? What does it compare to?

The Miata is a two-seater convertible designed for people who like to connect with people and machines. The world’s best-selling sports car doesn’t have many competitors under $40,000, not including the BMW Z4 and Porsche 718 Boxster.

Table of Contents

Is the Mazda MX-5 2022 Miata a good car?

It’s a great car. For driving. But it lacks the practicality, comfort, cargo space, and convenience features of most new cars, and its TCC rating drops to 5.8 out of 10.

What’s new for the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

Not much, other than a $540 price hike and brake-based torque vectoring at the internal rear wheels on the base model.

The road-hugging two-person seater comes in two styles, a black soft-top roof that can be pulled overhead, or an RF (retractable fastback) power hardtop that opens with the push of a button for 13 seconds. It is only available on the top Grand Touring trim or Club trim with the Brembo BBS Recaro package. The convertible is so low to the ground that the driver sits flush with the door handles of most other vehicles.

Unlike other modern cars, the design and perfect weight balance connects the driver to the road. 181 hp 2.0 litre inline four-cylinder engine may not sound impressive on paper, but when paired with the lightweight coupé, independent rear suspension and seamless 6-speed manual gearbox, it creates a more exciting and purely heartfelt experience than many other models of more expensive sports car.

This is the best thing about the MX-5 Miata. As an everyday dry-runner, it shrinks to the task. Its trunk holds just 4.6 cubic feet of gear, which may be enough for the grocery shop, and it’s sized differently for taller people who will be aware of their knees, elbows and heads before the top goes down. For smaller people, the Miata will not only wrap around a person, but also hug the road.

The standard features reflect the Miata’s streamlined nature. A 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, but it’s as cumbersome as it is convenient. Standard safety features include low-speed automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning.

How much does the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata cost?

The base Sport is priced at $28,315, including a $1,015 destination charge. Sport and Club models come with a 6-speed manual transmission only, while the Grand Touring can be had with a cheaper 6-speed automatic for $33,315; the manual is over $500. The Miata Club with the Brembo BBS Recaro package costs $36,315, while the powered hardtop version costs $39,215. The RF can be fitted to the Grand Touring model for $2,700 more than the soft top.