2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring RF

What’s not to like about the Mazda MX-5 Miata? This is one fun little ride and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face as you’re cruising around with the top down!

 

The MX-5 Miata is Mazda’s two-seat roadster. It got a makeover in 2016 and gets a few upgrades for 2019 including more power and a standard rear view camera. It’s available in Sport, Club and Grand Touring trims with starting prices ranging from $25,730 and $34,410.

 

The standard roof is a manual soft top. My tester has the power hard top, making it a breeze to open and close the top with just the push of a button.

 

The MX-5 Miata is powered by a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 181 horsepower (26 more horses than the 2018 model) and 151 pound-feet of torque. My tester has the six-speed manual transmission; a six-speed automatic is available.

 

No doubt the MX-5 Miata is zippy and you can’t help but think of Mazda’s “zoom-zoom” slogan while driving. It’s quick off the line and there’s plenty of power, whether you’re passing at freeway speeds or accelerating when going uphill. It’s a very smooth and balanced ride, with the MX-5 Miata staying planted even around sharp turns. Yep, it’s a kick to drive—I pretty much had a smile on my face during my entire week-long test drive!

 

The MX-5 is a little car and gets great gas mileage. EPA ratings for my tester are 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with a combined rating of 29. I got 33 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.

 

The interior is pleasant and attractive with a clean look. While it’s not really luxurious, materials are nice and most are soft-touch. Controls are intuitive and easy to reach. The seats are comfortable and supportive. Average-size adults will have decent leg and headroom. Taller passengers may feel too cramped with the top up.

 

Standard features include keyless entry, rearview camera, Mazda Connect infotainment system with a seven-inch touch screen, six-speaker audio system, HD Radio, two USB ports, and Bluetooth.

 

Available features include heated seats, leather seating, Recaro sport seats, automatic climate control, navigation, nine-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, power retractable hardtop, and several driver assistance systems including blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, low-speed automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers and automatic headlights.

 

New for 2019 is an available telescoping steering wheel so you can fine tune your driving position.

 

The Mazda Connect System is user-friendly and responds quickly to touch and voice commands. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are not available yet in the Miata but are being added to other Mazda models.

 

There’s not much cargo space. The trunk has only 4.6 cubic feet, which is enough for a couple of small overnight bags.

 

The good:

Cute exterior styling

Zippy handling that’ll put a smile on your face!

Quick acceleration

Easy to put the top up and down

User-friendly infotainment system

 

The not-so-good:

Very little cargo space

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay aren’t available yet

 

Pricing info:

My tester starts at $33,335. White Pearl paint and auburn Nappa leather are $500. The GT-S Package is $750 and adds limited-slip differential, front shock tower brace, black roof, sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers. The Interior Package for Manual Transmission is $425 and adds Alloy pedals, red engine oil cap with MX-5 logo and stainless door sill trim plates. Delivery fee is $895 bringing the grand total to $35,905.

 

Bottom line:

The MX-5 Miata is all about fun. If you want quick acceleration, nimble handling, cute styling, a nice interior and open-air driving, all at a reasonable price, take it for a test spin.

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