Overview

The 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the only affordable luxury sedan with a convertible top, and one of the few vehicles that offer a thrilling driving experience at a reasonable price. A spirited four-cylinder is paired with a gratifying six-speed manual transmission, though an automatic is also available. Due to the Miata's energetic and playful handling, navigating winding roads is a delight. The majority of models have a soft-top that can be folded manually, but an RF model with a power-folding Targa hard-top is also offered. The new Mazda comes in a plethora of packaging and trim options, each one tailored to suit every one of your needs. Whatever you may choose, we at Huntington Beach Mazda guarantee an exceptional driving experience.

Engine

A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque powers the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission are standard, while a six-speed automatic transmission is an option. That might not seem like too much power, but it has more than enough punch to confidently power the Miata. Up until its redline of 7,500 rpm, this Skyactiv-G engine revs eagerly and smoothly, and the high-revving peak is rewarded with a satisfying exhaust note. The new Mazda takes just 6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. Fast throttle response and closely spaced gears on the Miata allow for quick off-the-line acceleration and strong passing power at higher speeds. The manual transmission, which is among the best available, impresses with its crisp execution, short throws, and simple clutch modulation. The automatic transmission offers quick and smooth gear changes as well, whether used independently or in conjunction with the shift paddles. For a sports car, the Mazda Miata offers excellent fuel efficiency. When combined with a manual transmission, it achieves an EPA-rated 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, while an automatic transmission slightly improves that number to 26/35 mpg. You won’t find a more fuel-efficient sports car on the market.

Interior

Inside, the Mazda Miata's charm is apparent. The degree of fit and finish is excellent for an affordable sports vehicle, and the inside is posh and elegant, with a nearly cockpit-like aspect. There is a mixture of hard plastics, padded surfaces, and soft-touch surfaces.

The touch screen's position atop the dashboard makes it simple to see, access, and use. Equally straightforward are the climate controls, which consist of simply three knobs on the middle stack to control the temperature, fan speed, and airflow direction. The new Miata comes standard with a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. Navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, and a nine-speaker stereo are also available with upgraded models. The two-door convertible Mazda Miata has two seats. Standard interior features include cloth upholstery and manually adjustable seats. Recaro sport seats with a more substantial side bolster, heated seats, and leather upholstery are available extras.

Exterior

The new Mazda does not disappoint visually. The Miata’s exquisite design is a refreshing sight that stands out among other luxury sedans. A few paint colors that go brilliantly with the car include Jet Black Mica, Soul Red Crystal Metallic, Polymetal Gray Metallic, and Deep Crystal Blue Mica. A more in depth look at the Miata’s color options can be found here.

Handling

The Mazda Miata offers a simple and authentic driving experience, which has been a characteristic of this convertible for more than three decades. The steering is swift and perfectly weighted, and the stiff suspension of the Miata does an excellent job of eliminating body lean when carving around corners. The brakes are firm and bring the Miata to a smooth stop. Overall, the Miata is a delight to drive on any road you decide to feat.

Safety

The new Mazda comes equipped with an array of standard safety features, including a rearview camera, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, low-speed forward automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Adaptive headlights, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition are available in upgraded Miata models. For more information on the Miata’s safety rating, feel free to visit the IIHS’s website.

Miata vs Completion

The Miata stands out against comparable models at Toyota and BMW. For starters, The Miata is far more fuel-efficient than the Toyota GR86, and its cabin is more luxurious. The new Mazda’s handling is also much smoother and more comfortable to drive. Similarly, The Miata’s interior and handling are much better than the BMW Z4, while being roughly 20,000 dollars less expensive.

Packaging Options

The 2022 Mazda Miata is offered in three trim levels: Sport, Club, and Grand Touring. Each has a 181-horsepower four-cylinder engine, a six-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and a manually controlled soft top as standard. The upper two models get a power-retractable hardtop, while the Grand Touring gets automatic transmission as an option. The Club trim package costs around $31,150 for soft-top models and $38,550 for hardtop variants. A limited-slip differential, 17-inch wheels, a black front air dam and rear spoiler, heated seats, wireless Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, and a nine-speaker stereo are included with this package. Finally, the Grand Touring variant starts at $32,650 for soft-top cars and $35,350 for RF hardtop models. This model adds leather upholstery, automated climate control, GPS, road sign recognition, rain-sensing windshield wipers, adaptive rotating headlights, and automatic high-beam headlamps to the base Club amenities. A six-speed automatic transmission is available for $500 on soft-top vehicles and $550 on hardtops. For more information on the Miata’s trim levels, please visit Mazda’s website linked here.

Conclusion

The Miata’s quality interior and smooth handling push it to the top of its class. When the sun shines and the roads start winding, nothing is more fun than taking your brand-new Mazda Miata out for a spin. The new Mazda is about as excellent as it gets for the price as a fun-to-drive second car. Don’t believe us? Visit us here at Huntington Beach Mazda or search “Mazda Near Me” to test drive today!

Sources

https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/mx-5-miata

https://www.caranddriver.com/mazda/mx-5-miata