2024 Mazda MX-5 Review

The Mazda MX-5 is one of the best icons in the automotive world and it’s been that way since it launched way back in 1989 – yep, 35 whole years ago! A seemingly unlikely sales success – roadsters aren’t the world’s best-selling cars – the MX-5 has been quite popular for a roadster over its four generations with over one million sales globally so far. Mazda – forever the engineer’s automotive company – continues to revise the MX-5 and the latest version has earned the most changes so far. Is the 2024 Mazda MX-5 the best example yet? Let’s find out.

What changes has Mazda made to the MX-5? Quite a few – the lighting units are now all-LED, there are new wheel designs, a newer and larger infotainment system, extra pieces of leather-like trim on the inside for a higher-quality feel, sharper throttle response for the manual, revised steering, a revised limited-slip differential for manual models, a new track stability control mode for the GT RS and even small changes like new indicator stalks that don’t let you turn the lights completely off (thank you, Mazda!) in line with the latest Japanese regulations. Do they add up to a better overall product?

How much does the 2024 Mazda MX-5 cost to buy?

In Australia, the 2024 Mazda MX-5 is offered in two convertible bodystyles: the soft top roadster and hard top RF (or ‘Retractable Fastback’). In addition to that, it’s also offered in three main models: the base model just called MX-5, the mid-spec GT and the top-spec GT RS. Pricing starts at $41,520 plus on-road costs (around $46,000 drive away) for the entry-level roadster, and rises to $56,140 +ORC (around $61,000 drive away) for the RF GT RS.

2024 MX-5 pricing:

• Roadster manual: $41,520
• RF manual: $46,250
• GT roadster manual: $48,640
• GT roadster auto: $50,140
• RF GT manual: $53,140
• RF GT auto: $54,640
• RF GT Black Roof auto: $55,660
• GT RS roadster manual: $51,640
• RF GT RS manual: $56,140

MX-5 standard equipment:

• Black 17-inch alloy wheels with a puncture repair kit
• Dusk-sensing automatic all-LED exterior lighting with LED daytime running lights
• Rain-sensing automatic wipers
• Remote keyless entry with push button start
• Black mirror caps
• Single-zone automatic climate control
• Black cloth upholstery (with suede on the RF)
• Four-way manually adjustable seats with tilt angle adjustment for the driver
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake
• 8.8-inch touchscreen with a controller wheel between the seats
• ‘Mazda Connected Services’ live services with stolen vehicle assistance, vehicle status, remote locking, light flashing, vehicle location and automatic collision alerts to emergency services
• Satellite navigation
• Wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio
• Bluetooth calling and audio streaming functionality
• Six-speaker sound system
• 2x USB-C charging ports
• Cruise control with braking functionality and a speed limiter
• Asymmetric limited-slip differential (manual only)

MX-5 safety equipment:

• Four airbags (2x front, 2x side)
• Auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection
• Lane departure warning
• Driver attention warning
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
• Low-speed rear auto braking
• Traffic sign recognition
• Reversing camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Auto-dimming rear mirror

Due to its age, the current generation MX-5 is currently unrated by ANCAP for safety, but it previously held a five-star rating from when it was released in 2015. The MX-5 range is quite well equipped for safety equipment, though adaptive cruise control – which features in Japan – is not available locally.

GT adds:

• Machined alloy wheels
• Body-coloured mirror caps
• Black leather upholstery (tan Nappa leather also available with a black roof on the RF for an extra $1,020)
• Heated seats
• Heated mirrors
• Matrix adaptive high beam
• 203-watt nine-speaker Bose sound system
• Keyless entry
• Stainless steel scuff plates

GT RS adds:

• Black 17-inch BBS alloy wheels
• Bilstein dampers
• Brembo front brakes
• Suspension front tower brace bar
• Track mode for the stability control
• Black mirror caps

MX-5 colour range:

• Snowflake White Pearl Mica
• Zircon Sand Metallic: +$595
• Soul Red Crystal Metallic (on our RF GT test car): +$595
• Deep Crystal Blue Mica
• Jet Black Mica
• Machine Grey Metallic: +$595
• Aero Grey Metallic (on our roadster GT RS test car)

The chief rivals for the MX-5 are the Toyota GR86 (priced from around $47,500 drive away, depending on location) and Subaru BRZ (priced from around $47,200 drive away). While they aren’t convertibles, they are affordable rear-wheel drive sports cars that give big smile per mile value.

Otherwise, buyers wanting a new topless roadster must spend a lot more money to get behind the wheel. For example, a BMW Z4 starts at around $108,000 drive away and a Porsche 718 Boxster starts at around $150,000 drive away. While the MX-5 is more expensive than ever before thanks to continual upgrades, it’s still excellent value for a new convertible.

How powerful is the 2024 Mazda MX-5?

Under the bonnet of the Australian 2024 Mazda MX-5 range is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine from Mazda’s ‘SkyActiv’ family. In the MX-5, it makes 135kW of power (at 7,000rpm) and 205Nm of torque (at 4,000rpm) and power is sent to the rear wheels only via a six-speed manual or six-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Mazda doesn’t claim a 0-100km/h sprint time but we’ve seen overseas reports of runs in the low six-second bracket for the manual, with the automatic a touch slower at around 6.5 seconds.

The claimed fuel consumption for the MX-5 ranges from 6.8L/100km for the manual roadster to 7.2L/100km for the RF automatic. Our skewed-towards-urban testing of the GT RS resulted in a 8.2L/100km rating, while we achieved 6.7L/100km in the RF GT Black Roof, with lots of motorway driving included. The MX-5 range uses minimum 95RON premium unleaded fuel and it has a 45-litre fuel tank.

How fun is the 2024 Mazda MX-5?

Fun has always been the strong point of the MX-5 and the 2024 version is no different – in fact, it’s even better than before thanks to lightly revised dynamics for even more driver engagement than before. The MX-5’s steering has been made less sensitive and a touch slower just off centre and we think it’s better than before as it makes it more relaxing to drive. The throttle has been made sharper for the manual, while the limited-slip differential has also been revised for – long-story short – more neutral handling. Do all these changes work? Definitely, the updated MX-5 drives even better than before and it’s great, but it’s also quite comfortable, even in the GT RS and its stiffer Bilstein dampers.

The MX-5’s engine is also one of its strong points. Updated in 2018 with more power and a higher redline to mimic the 1.5-litre engine option that used to be offered locally, the 2.0-litre engine makes a solid 135kW of power at a high 7,000rpm. It also makes a lovely whine throughout the rev range to give off a supercharger-like noise, and it encourages you to rev it and have fun. But even in normal driving, it’s great – peak torque hits at 4,000rpm, which is perfect considering its short gearing. In a world of low-blow turbocharged engines that run out of puff at 6,000rpm, extracting the best out of the MX-5’s engine by revving it is a rewarding and fun experience that never gets old.

Two transmissions are available, depending on model (the base model and GT RS are manual-only, while the RF GT Black Roof is auto-only): a six-speed manual or a six-speed torque converter automatic and if you’re choosing between the two, definitely get the manual. That’s not to say that the auto is bad because, but the MX-5 is an engaging car to drive and the manual gives you maximum driver engagement. The manual in question is also one of the best on the market – regardless of price – and its clutch is easy to use as well, in fact, we taught our journalist David manual in it and it was great.

One impressive aspect about the MX-5 as well is its comprehensive list of active safety equipment, including auto emergency braking (in both forward and reverse), lane departure assist, traffic sign recognition and – on the GT and above – Matrix adaptive high beam functionality for the headlights. As is the usual case with Mazda products, they all work well and are well tuned. Adaptive cruise control is not offered locally, though its cruise control system brakes to keep the set speed, which is quite rare. Rear vision with the roof down in the roadster is perfect – there are no blind spots – while the RF’s rear vision is more difficult thanks to the its buttresses that don’t disappear.

How practical is the 2024 Mazda MX-5?

Those buying a roadster shouldn’t expect it to be MPV practical and the MX-5 is a perfect example of that. There are storage boxes behind each seat and a slightly larger one in the middle, as well as reasonable (and moveable) cup holders, a phone tray underneath the dashboard, a small box underneath the centre console lid that can hold the key or some sunglasses, and tiny door pockets – there’s no glovebox or bottle holders, if you’re wondering. But once you’re over that, you notice the good quality with its leather trim – especially on the RF GT Black Roof and its lovely light tan Nappa trim – and new stitched leather panel on the centre console that adds even more of a quality feel inside.

Centre of the cabin is a new 8.8-inch – up from 7.0-inches – touchscreen that uses Mazda’s newer ‘Mazda Connect’ infotainment software. It’s a big improvement on the older ‘MZD Connect’ system that the MX-5 used until last year thanks to its much sharper image quality, faster processing and that it’s a touchscreen for smartphone mirroring all the time, and not just when stationary. In the GT and GT RS, the 203-watt nine-speaker Bose sound system is excellent, and we especially love the speakers in the headrests for extra surround sound aural quality.

The seats in the MX-5 are comfortable, though they could feature more bolstering as it’s easy to move around in them in hard cornering. Otherwise, they offer pretty good comfort, which is especially good in the RF and its grand touring ability. The MX-5’s driving position is great as well, with plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel and seats, though we’d love some lumbar adjustment for the seats as well.

The boot in the MX-5 is not its strong point either, with just 130-litres of space on offer (127L in the RF). The boot opening is not huge either, but the space really is just a box and two weekend bags will fit just fine. There are no clever features like hooks or nets – or a spare wheel – but a weekly shop will wedge in nicely.

How much does the 2024 Mazda MX-5 cost to run?

Just like the rest of the Mazda range, the MX-5 is covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty with five years of roadside assistance. Its service intervals are once-yearly/every 15,000km and five years/75,000km of servicing costs $2,721 ($544 per service).

Both Toyota and Subaru cover their new cars with five-year/unlimited km warranties with either zero (Toyota) or 12 months (Subaru) of roadside assistance. Both the GR86 and BRZ use the same service intervals as the Mazda, and five years/75,000km of servicing costs $1,400 ($280 per service) for the GR86 and $2,390 ($478 per service) for the BRZ – both are a lot less than the MX-5.

Should I buy the 2024 Mazda MX-5?

If you’re in the market for such a car, yes, you should absolutely buy a 2024 Mazda MX-5. Why’s that? Well, other convertibles don’t come anywhere near its pricing, while it’s rare that cars – regardless of price – come anywhere near its level of fun. In addition to that, it uses a zingy petrol engine that only adds to the fun by encouraging you to get the best out of it, its manual gearbox is one of the best on the market and it’s also quite comfortable and easy to drive on a daily basis.

On the flip side, it’s noticeably more expensive than before – this writer bought a then-new roadster GT manual in 2016 for $43,000 drive away, for example – despite the upgrades, it’s still cramped for taller folks, cabin storage isn’t great and the wind buffeting and rear vision in the RF isn’t great either. But overall, the MX-5 remains a great reminder that not all cars need to be A to B appliances – cars can have a soul and can be insanely fun. If you’re after one, buy one as soon as you can.