This week I am back behind the wheel of the best-selling two-seat roadster in the world: the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Sales in the U.S. are up 27.4% in the first half of 2024, compared to the first half of 2023. New for 2024: The MX-5 lineup receives some notable tech and engineering updates. My test vehicle is the Club variant with the everything-to-love Brembo BBS Recaro package.
Exterior
Inspired by '60s roadsters, the MX-5 Miata is at first and last glance a gorgeously sculpted roadster fitting Mazda's sophisticated sleek design ethos. Zircon Sand Metallic, a hue introduced in 2023, is an elegant contrast to its black cloth soft-top.
The Club grade's black sporty design elements include a gloss black front air dam, and black rear lip spoiler. Additional Club features include LED daytime running lights, a trunk lid-mounted shark fin antenna, and body color high-mount brake light cover.
The optional Brembo BBS Recaro package takes things up an even sportier notch with BBS-forged 17-inch dark alloy wheels (wow do they look great!) along with Brembo front brakes with red front and rear brake calipers, a rear bumper skirt and an aero kit with gloss black side sill extensions.
I absolutely love the manually folding black soft-top. It's so easy to use! All Miatas come with a built-in mesh aero board wind blocker.
Other exterior features include power black side mirrors, bright finish dual exhaust outlets and an aluminum hood and trunk lid.
Performance
The MX-5 Miata is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The Club pairs it exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The powertrain delivers 181-horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, numbers that do this lightweight roadster justice. An enhanced sporty exhaust note adds to the fun. Premium fuel isn't required, but recommended. For 2024, a DSC-Track Mode has been added to the Club to provide drivers an additional option for closed circuit driving.
Interior
The Miata's sporty driver centric cockpit-focused cabin is perfection. My test vehicle benefits from heated- and superbly designed- Recaro sport seats thanks to the Brembo BBS Recaro package. I love how Mazda brings the Zircon Sand hue into the cabin on the door panels. The cabin also features piano black seat back bar trim.
Other upscale interior elements include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear shift knob and emergency parking brake handle, along with carpet floor mats and a driver foot rest.
The 2-seater interior obviously isn't spacious, but it can in fact be practical when the situation warrants. Space-saving design elements include a cupholder that extends out from the console of the passenger side.
2024 cabin updates include extra padding for the center console, and a revised gauge cluster with new simplified, high-contrast graphics. All MX-5 Miata models also benefit from an updated Mazda Connect media system with a new, larger 8.8-inch infotainment display that has touchscreen functionality when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The new display also introduces Mazda's first ever integration of Amazon Alexa. Club models are treated to wireless Apple CarPlay as well as SiriusXM with a three month trial. The Club also upgrades to a 9-speaker Bose premium audio system with a subwoofer and headrest speakers. The system sounds great, top up or down.
Push-button start, power doors and locks, dual USB-C ports, a 12-volt and a remote trunk lid release are standard across the lineup.
Ride and Drive
There's nothing like the driving dynamics of a bonafide roadster. The rear-wheel drive MX-5's nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution coupled with the Club's sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers gives you incredible and agile handling. It's exhilarating to be behind the wheel. New for 2024: an asymmetric torque-sensing limited-slip differential exclusive to the 6-speed manual improves stability.
The Recaro seats along with Mazda's impressive Kinematic Posture Control work together to suppress body role and keep you snugly in place.
Smoother steering also comes to the MX-5 lineup in 2024 thanks to updates to the electric power-assisted steering which include a new steering rack. The Brembo brakes, as you'd expect, provide excellent stopping power.
Safety
Mazda's standard i-Activsense safety features include Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Smart Brake Support, and Lane Departure Warning. Other standard features include cruise control and a rear view monitor.
Options and What You'll Pay
The Brembo BBS Recaro package adds a well-worth it $4800 to the bottom line, and the Zircon paint tacks on $450. Still, Mazda stays true to the Miata's affordability selling point, keeping the total MSRP to just shy of $39,000 including destination. A fantastic price for the upgrades you get.
Verdict
If you're a driving enthusiast do yourself a favor and take a test drive in one of these. You'll be hooked. I will also say I love the top-range MX-5 Grand Touring trim. It's the most luxuriously appointed Miata with out-of-this-world Nappa leather seats, but you give up the Brembo BBS Recaro option. If you prefer a hard-top, the BBR package is available on the RF Club.
- What I Liked Most: Exhilarating driving dynamics. Super easy soft-top manual folding operation. Recaro Seats. The entire experience!
- What I would change: Nothing.
- MSRP: Base Price $32,485. As equipped: $38,900.
- Official Color: Zircon Sand Metallic ($450.)
- Fuel Economy: 26 city/34 highway/29 combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 2,062 miles.
- Weight: 2,410 pounds.
- Spare tire: Tire Puncture Kit.
- Length-Width-Height: 154.1” long/68.3” wide/48.8” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 11.89 gallons with the filler on the driver's side.
- Towing Capacity: N/A
- 2024 Mazda MX-5 Club in a few words: An exceptionally equipped roadster designed for true driving enthusiasts.
- Warranty: 60-month/60,000-mile powertrain; 36-month/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. 25-hour roadside assistance.
- Final Assembly Location: Hiroshima, Japan.
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Manufacturer's website: Mazda
