The latest Mazda MX-5 continues the winning formula that has seen more than 24,000 fourth-generation MX-5s sold in the UK since its launch in 2015.
A revamp across the MX-5 range last year has led to new names for various grades, but the winning formula is very much the same no matter if you opt for the traditional ‘roadster’ (better know as the convertible) or the ‘retractable fastback’ (RF) which see’s the MX-5’s appearance change greatly thanks to the motorised hard top.
Having successfully competed in a motorsport prepared MkI MX-5 many years ago, I fully understand, appreciate, and get what this little roadster is all about. Pocket-sized fun is the name of the game for Mazda with this iconic model.
Without massive power, a wheel in each corner makes sure you are grounded and at-one with the road. You soon realise that big power isn’t required at all to have fun. Around town and as a daily driver, the MX-5 copes very well, but it really is best enjoyed with driven close to 11-tenths.
The MX-5 range starts from £25,825 and standard features on the ‘PRIME-LINE’ trim include 16-inch black alloy wheels, black premium cloth soft-top with heated rear glass, LED headlights with auto levelling, LED daytime running lights, coming home/leaving home lights, piano black electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, and twin exhaust system.
Inside you get body-colour co-ordinated interior upper door trim, heated seats, leather-wrapped handbrake lever, leather-wrapped gear shift, leather-wrapped steering wheel, premium black cloth seat trim with silver stitching.
Standard infotainment includes AM / FM / DAB radio, with 6 speakers (includes two driver’s headrest speakers) and USB input, Mazda connect multimedia system with 7-inch colour centre display and multimedia commander, Mazda navigation system with European mapping and 3-years free map updates, wireless Apple CarPlay & wired Android Auto.
Climate control air-conditioning, cruise control with manual speed adjustment and adjustable speed limiter features alongside electric windows. Hill launch assist, remote central locking with deadlocking and a Thatcham accredited alarm & immobiliser rounds off the MX-5’s convenience.
An ‘EXCLUSIVE-LINE’ 132PS is priced from £28,125 and adds 16-inch silver alloy wheels, body coloured electrically adjustable, heated door mirrors, front rain-sensing wipers, adaptive Front lighting System, dusk-sensing headlights, rear parking sensors, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, black leather perforated seat trim with silver stitching, and premium Bose sound system with 9 speakers (includes 2 driver’s and 2 passenger’s headrest speakers).
Also included is driver attention alert, lane departure warning system, smart city brake support, smart keyless entry, and traffic sign recognition.
Priced from £30,265 is a 132PS ‘KIZUNA’ (LIMITED EDITION – 250 production models) which adds premium blue cloth soft-top, inclusive machine grey or deep crystal blue exterior paint finish, and light stone Nappa leather seat trim with light stitching.
If you feel the need for a little more oomph, the 184PS ‘EXCLUSIVE-LINE’ starts from £30,410 and adds 17-inch bright alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, reversing camera, steering wheel mounted paddle shift (automatic models only), drive selection switch (Sport mode) (Automatic models only).
The manual models receive front strut brace, limited slip differential, and sports suspension featuring Bilstein dampers.
The range topping ‘HOMURA’ as tested, starts from £32,410 and adds 17-inch gun metallic BBS alloy wheels, piano black electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, front red Brembo brake calipers (manual transmission only), light stone Nappa leather seat trim with light stitching, and stainless-steel scuff plates featuring ‘MX-5’ logo.
Engine wise, the lower powered unit is a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder Skyactiv-G petrol engine which is light and free-revving to provide pure driving pleasure. The emphasis behind the engine and driving characteristics creates a car that moves exactly as the driver expects, with manageable power and lightness that adds to the sheer agility of the car.
If you want something with more performance, then the 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder Skyactiv-G will satisfy your speed-seeking thrills. It makes the ideal choice for those seeking a more track focused sports car, especially with the manual ‘box with its addition of LSD, strut brace and Bilstein suspension.
All MX-5 models feature Kinematic Posture Control (KPC). Mazda’s KPC system is designed to increase stability during cornering without impacting the purity of the MX-5’s handling and driver engagement. The KPC system applies a very small amount of brake force to the inner/unloaded rear wheel during cornering, the resulting brake force pulls the body down, suppressing body roll to provide more reassuring cornering so subtly that the MX-5’s engaging handling remains unpolluted.
Helped by the MX-5’s lightness, performance doesn’t come at the cost of efficiency, with Mazda’s i-ELOOP kinetic recovery and i-stop stop-start technology standard across both engines, the MX-5 is more economical than ever.
As you would expect of a car that was named World Car Design of the Year on its debut in 2015, the styling of the 2023 MX-5 has been left alone.
