2019 / 2020 Mazda MX-5 | The "Practical" Roadster 

Alex is usually very accurate in his vehicle assessments but he misspoke when he said that “the RF version is only about 45 lbs. heavier than the softop.” Actually, the RF is 113 lbs. heavier than the softop version. Also, in order to cut down on weight as much as possible, the RF doesn’t have the structural bracing underneath the passenger floorpan found in the softop MX-5. So comparing both cars with the roof open the softop version is structurally stiffer than the RF because of the extra structural bracing. Other differences between the RF and the softop: the center storage space in the softop that’s between the seats has about twice the volume than the RF. Also, the softop has two cubbie holes, one behind each seat, versus just one cubbie hole behind the passenger seat for the RF. Finally, one thing that I think it’s worth mentioning, all MX-5’s have the twelve volt power outlet at the firewall in the passenger side. I like the ND generation MX-5 for its looks but in some ways my NC generation Grand Touring is a better car than the new one because the entire metal roof retracts completely out of sight when the roof is open without the obtrusive buttresses of the RF. Also, the hydraulic power steering is a lot more communicative than the dull feeling of the ND’s electric assisted power steering. Plus the NC’s bigger size have the advantage of a more spacious cabin interior with an actual glove box, permanently placed cup holders, and about a half cubic foot more volume in the trunk versus the NC. Besides, I don’t think the extra electronics is needed with all of its information overkill in a small and simple sports car.

I'm 6' 3" and the Miata makes no sense at all. Until you put the top down and fly down a twisty road. Then you're thinking "I can't live without this". Kudos to Mazda for staying true to the formula of low weight and high engagement.

You are an outstanding presenter - absolutely fluid speech with no hems, haws or hesitation. You’ve clearly studied the vehicle sufficiently to provide a mass of valuable information. Great job!

The 2019 miata looks like the worlds best sports car at any price. Good job Alex.

Very professional and informative as always. Thank you, Alex.

If you want better grip, and still want the mx5, ditch the factory 205 tires and fit 215/45R17 pilot sport 4s, it will pull more lateral Gs than hyundai and mustang

Mx5 a sports car without sports car head ache

im gonna sell my kidney for the mx5.. i guess i can live with one kidney.. Probably one kidney is enough for me.. (EDİT: i bought an RF miata, the kidney is still here)

As a owner of a 2018 MX-5RF GT, excellent review Alex, you nailed it.

I'm glad it returned. It stopped showing earlier

Love your reviews Alex plenty of details and information ‘just the facts’. We live down in Australia i have owned the 1.5 GT 2015 ND MX5 Soul Red and my wife owns a 2017 RF in machine grey. Both are manual and although not the fastest cars in a straight line they are both sensational to drive and of course as soon as you find your favourite piece of road with plenty of bends in the smile 😃 on your face is from ear to ear.

I am a proud owner of a 2018 RF GT AT and never regretted it. I prefer the AT and enjoy the ride. If you want to switch gears, paddles shifting can be fun. Great car !!

Also... the new camera... the video looks good. Mellow, with pretty nice dynamic range. Looks... cinematic. Love it.

My '16 Sport has 43,000 miles, always great to drive. Keep it simple and enjoy. With snow tires I drive it year round in New Hampshire.

As Alex said, you really need to get this in the manual. Love this car. So impressed with its lightweight and attention to detail. This is the closest thing to a modern day Honda S2000. Love the newly revised 2L engine. My pick for this category, and I spoke with my money, was a 370Z Sport trim.

I really loved your rating system for the drive quality. You're one of the best car reviewers I've seen!

Well over a million sold now . That sums it up, no two seater roadster has even come close to the MX5's popularity . Just had the spring rally here in the UK 1500 MX5's in convoy, quite a sight

i have a 2017 club RF. it's an awesome daily driver, as long as you're single and don't need to haul any big stuff on a regular basis. i don't find the club suspension too stiff. it's comfortable on long interstate drives, and bumps aren't that jarring, but it is slightly reminiscent of a go-cart, which just makes the car feel alive. as for the rear visibility, i have no problems, even without the backup camera. the rearview mirrors need to be adjusted properly, of course, and with a reasonably flexible neck, aided by the lane watch nanny, there's no issue. i was hoping you'd compare the old 2016-2018 engine with the 2019. i know the 2019 revs and pulls to 7500, where the original engine starts to drop off at about 6000 and redlines at 6800. the power charts i've seen show that the engines are almost identical up to 6k. do they "feel" similar up to that point?

You are the best car reviewer hands down. Many thanks. Great videos.

I drove both (2023) and much preferred the automatic. With the manual, you completely lose the option of just relaxing and cruising, enjoying your coffee, and it's MUCH nicer in congested city traffic. When you want to drive in a sporty fashion, the manual option in the automatic is fantastic, and you have the paddle shifters too!

Alex, since you had the automatic this time I would've loved a more thorough description of how the auto performed/or not, on those nice curvy roads. How did those paddle shifters do? Did they hold gears properly in spirited driving? I've been considering the MX5 and most likely would chose the manual, but have also been wondering about how the auto performs.

Word of warning to anyone who buys an automatic MX-5: unlike basically any other car on the market, automatic Miatas hold their value WAY WAY worse than manuals, and they take forever to sell even at much lower prices. Practically nobody wants to buy a used automatic Miata. (Frankly, I can't comprehend why anyone would buy a new automatic Miata...) Buying the automatic will cost you many thousands of dollars in lost value in the long run.

Thanks for pointing out the size issue. I'm 6'4" tall and don't really fit in. It's tragic - I genuinely like this car and Keep defending it against idiots who don't get it and call it a hairdressers' runabout - but since it would be a total waste to cram myself into a car I don't really fit in, I had to pass. Pity it's still the same with the current model...

Well, it kinda is the "most powerful engine" in a production Miata. The 2004 Mazdaspeed MX-5 had a 1.8L turbo, with 178 hp & 166 lb. ft. torque. It was priced about $27,000 in 2004, so it would be $37,000 in 2019. Of course, the 2019 is more refined, safer, and a bit better in performance!

Alex, I have watched you for years and always appreciate your reviews, but one thing that's always bugged me is how you equate "handling" to outright "grip". Grip is total roadholding in a lateral sense. Handling is the dynamic response of the car in steady-state and transient conditions. This MX-5 has less grip than many Camaros and Mustangs, most likely, but there's no way in heck it handles worse.

At 9:35 you mentioned that "the bulk of this body is made out of steel." While there's a significant amount of steel in the structure, much of the body is aluminum (or thermoplastic for the bumpers). The doors, upper rear fenders, and the rear deck trim piece are steel (galvanized); the rest of the body is aluminum.

ohhh, that "other journalists" pun. This just shows what a good and responsible driver Alex is.

Love my Club! Half my driving miles are doing spirited driving and still great fuel mileage. 40 mile per American gallons is very practical!

Love the Miata and your reviews!

I had a Mazda years ago it was very peppy and dependable

miata in red with the stick and 17inch rims might be what the doctor ordered

Nice review. I would do the Miata GT, soft top, manual transmission.

Don’t let the zero to sixty timing fool you. It is slow. But This is not a dragster, it’s a sports car! The 20 to 80 timing is actually MUCH better. Driving as a sports car, it has lots of power, even up steep hills. My videos prove it! :) Great video!

Great review, good presentation style, info and filming, nice job 👌

Seems like the only way to order a MX-5 is with a manual and the soft top.

IMHO The rear cupholder locations are great. 2 years, no problems

I would go for the soft top. I understand that there is a little more headroom in the soft top.

The only car you could ever need.

Recently got an used 124 spider Lusso Prima Edizione, great car and a great deal.

Funny thing with fuel economy and choosing a manual or automatic is that the automatic will suck a ton of fuel while it warms up when the manual doesn't causing a large mileage difference in day to day driving back and forth to work. My auto vehicle gets 18 mpg day to day vs 25 mpg driving around the same day with the transmission staying warm. So basically if you get an automatic car period count on that day to day going to work MPG being sucked down a ton compared to what it would be with a manual especially when it comes to cold winter months.

The increased power and redline is a welcome change. BTW, When's your Jetta GLI review coming out?

Having owned both, I would say the soft top is actually considerably noisier at highway speeds, so don't agree with his point of similar noise level. Would still prefer the soft top. I'm 6'1'' and I find the soft top more roomy.

RF is 45kg heavier than the soft top, or nearly 100lbs, not 45lbs. Still a good review though. 👍

So, this is almost as good as AP2 S2000 from 2004. Got it!

He keeps mentioning that his Club test car is firmer than the other trims, but the automatic Club actually has the same (softer) suspension setup as the GT.

I would love to see a review between the RF and the traditional convertible and which one you prefer.

I've made a number of critical comments about Mazda's vehicles, especially their SUV's. So let me say that if the company produced nothing but inferior vehicles (and they certainly don't) other than the Miata, I'd still pull for them. There are lots of good cars these days but few iconic vehicles and the MX-5 is one of them. It doesn't need more power with a turbocharger. It doesn't need AWD. It comes as close to a true classic sports car as anything on the road. Kudos to Mazda for holding fast to its mission. As far as transmission choices are concerned, like Alex I often disparage the obsession with MT's. In this case, though, an AT is a sin. Simple as that. Unless you're missing a left leg, get the MT. And stop drinking in your car. That's not what it's for. Now if they could just figure out a way to add a glove compartment where it belongs. I cross-shopped the MX-5 last summer. Though I loved driving it, I have a wife, a daughter, and a big dog. I really like to take at least two of them with me when I go somewhere. That led me to replace my MK6 GTI with the MK7.5. I love it but every time I see a Miata, especially the newest generation, I get a little misty eyed.

Sweet car, really want to test drive the manual soft top and push it to its limits!

debating on this or s2000 but now im thnking this is the way to go

At 3:48 you mentioned that the RF "only weighs about 45 pounds more" than the soft top version. That is incorrect: The soft top version (MT) weighs 2,345 lbs vs. the RF at 2,453 lbs for a difference of 108 lbs. On a car this light, those extra 108 lbs negatively impact performance in a way that you can feel and measure.

"It uses a Fiat engine instead of a Mazda engine but it's really basically the same car" Are you out of your mind?

Not sure where you're getting your specs but the RF is 111 pounds heavier than the soft top at a minimum...not "only 45". It also doesn't quite "fit in the exactly the same space" as the soft top. As the storage compartments inside the cabin are MUCH smaller in the RF due to the mechanical stuff taking up more space, and the trunk has a smaller "mouth" opening in the RF.

I would pick all of them of course

If it had full LED lighting, it’d look so much better

Camaro & Mustang can handle better? I thought that the lighter weight would be an advantage?

I’d love to see a turbo charged Miata. They don’t have to go crazy, maybe up it to like 210 horsepower. It’d be such a hoot given how light it is

I want this car real bad. I even like it in white.

Alex... i drive now a manual 2007 NC x and its time to change x but I can not decide between MX 5 M/A or 370Z M/A x can you help in deciding x I drive all year round in snowy Montreal with top down when ever I can even in winter x thank you Tony

Great review. I have the 2017 MX-5 RF and don't regret it one bit. I've always liked convertibles but never enjoyed the thought of soft-top maintenance. The NC Miata had a PRHT, but I didn't dig the bubbly looks of older generations of the Miata. So when the RF was debut for the 2017 model year I couldn't pass it up (wife loves it too) It's really a very well balanced vehicle. I enjoy it everyday as a daily driver, make excuses to run "errands" just so I can drive it more, has instant steering feel, gets 34.5 MPG real driving (I do not autocross or go to the track but still have some spirited driving). The RF Club is relatively stiff, but still bearable on smaller road trips, and the MX-5's relatively small trunk space forces us to pack only what we need. One aspect highly considered for most when deciding between Club or GT (at least for RF models only), is the available Brembo/BBS package. This package was only available for the Club version (back in 2017-2018 RF's, not sure about 2019). Part of the package is the Aero Kit that makes the look of the ND MX-5 look aggressive, has 4 pieces: front splitter, 2x side skirts, rear diffuser, and the lip spoiler. Each component costs about $500 with the lip spoiler at about $300, and the Club comes standard with 2 of the 4 components (front splitter and lip spoiler), while the GT comes with none of these. I've seen some GT owners wanting the aggressive look but that requires them to dish out an additional $2,000 or so for the entire package to get it installed afterwards. I know to some $2,000 extra might not be much more after spending over $30,000 on the vehicle itself, but that's one factor that made me opt for the Club even though I don't plan to autocross/track. For those considering, do NOT get the automatic if you can help it.

The whole RF assembly doesn’t really fit in the same space as the soft top. It’s subtle, and I can totally understand why you’d miss it, but the compartments behind the seats are smaller in the RF than in the soft top.

Great review!! The extra 45lbs for RF hardtop was helpful info

Only wished it came turbocharged. I get the whole practically element and low weight ratio but at 181 hrp, come on. Just me. Nice looking car though.

Give me a Sport manual with LSD...

15:20 Except you should compare it to the sister vehicle. Nobody buys a Spider or Miata without glancing at the sister vehicle. And while they may be similar, the differences are more than skin deep with unique powertrains and suspensions.

I think I’d choose a Triumph Bonneville T120 or a Triumph Speed Twin Motorcycle; with sporty car that has more cargo space an easier access. These MX5 are a pain to get in and out of. The Honda Fit Sports is about the same weight as these MX5, but a hell of a lot more practical. If you want open air and sports get a motorcycle such as the Speed Twin.

I wish Mazda fix that cabin noise.

No way, get the convertible Club trim and then upgrade the springs and sway bars through Flyin' Miata out of Colorado. The Club trim also has a limited slip differential, and if that isn't a priority for you then you aren't seriously looking at this as an inexpensive sports car and rather- just a cute open-air toy. The Bose 9 speaker stereo on the Club and higher is also quite respectible; don't cheap out and get the base Sport trim. Also, make sure to replace the tires with something decent immediately; the stock tires are not able to show off what this car can do. You can now upgrade to Android Auto (and I believe also Apple CarPlay) via a dealer upgrade, to make sure You check with your old dealer for this if you need it.

Reupload?

I recently got a 2019 RF in red and I love it. The only things I wish they did was make the center storage cubby as big as they could. There is a coin holder in it, who the hell uses that shit anymore? And the center glove box could've been extended more since they took the CD player out , but just filled it in with a cover? Lame! But minor gripes aside the car is a thrill to drive.

I had $6k and i was wither going to use it as a down payment for a Veloster N. I ended but buying an old NB miata cash instead.

It's perfect. I'll take one in red. Club MT

Great Review, great car. I love my 2018 GT RF daily driver that I cruise through the vineyards in getting 40 MPG.

Get the Fiat classical manual with tech package. Ride is much more comfortable than the Mazda and the torque from the turbo puts you back in your seat and is a blast! Love the Fiat styling and slightly bigger trunk 😀

I wish it came in regular hard top personally...I hate rag tops and don't like the extra weight and complexity of the retracting roof ...who cares

I'm sure the RF is 45kg's+ heavier, far more than 45lbs.

Hi Really good review. I want the Grand Touring, RF automatic.

As far as competition goes, it's very simple - there isn't any! The mx5 is in a field of one, there just isn't anything else you can buy and why would you? It is near perfect. I have an nc model which I prefer to the nd and I love it - it is my daily driver and I cover 16 K miles per year in it. I drive it through all seasons and I wouldn't swap it for anything. As we day in the UK - 'nuff said!

"should I buy a Miata or a Mustang"? Said no one ever.

Shopping for a mx5 and thinking hard between manual vs auto. Wanting a a red manual club with brembo/recaro package, but like to share with my son only if I can convince him to learn how to drive a stick.

I can't envision an AT in a lightweight sports car like the MX-5. In a heavier, more powerful open-air grand tourer (i.e., a 370Z Roadster), perhaps you can, even though you're bound to get some flak for it from some purists for going that route. I'd pick up a base trim MX-5 with the 6MT and make my own improvements with the money I saved.

Very nice review, as always. You don't see the John Cooper Works Mini as a potential car to cross shop, I notice. The interior noise at 74 dB is a bit of a discouragement.

There is luggage specially fitted to the trunk.

had automatic RF before but I crashed it. i would want a manual version now, hope it comes with rear view cam, apple car play, and spare tire! haha so scary to go far, long drive without a spare tire.

Would it have killed Mazda to put in a glove box? I drove two 2019s today and they are a lot of fun, but it still felt under powered. This light car would be fantastic with 200 or 300 horse power. If it wouldn't void the warranty I would definitely have a turbo kit installed. I actually preferred the previous body style. This car reminds me of a C3 Corvette Mako Shark . Not my favorite body style. It does have a sweet gear box.

Alex a question my friend. Isnt the redline 7500 rpm now? Up from the previous 6800 rpm! THANKS 👍

I considered the MX-5 but I think it's-just-too-small. If it were about 4" longer and had just a little more interior room I may have bought one. I got a Mazda 3 instead and for fun, well I have a motorcycle. (And I am 5' 8")

Is it possible to make the car a bit higher for ground level clearance

Would the base model of this car be good for daily driving? I mean the sport trim.

what do you mean the mx5 can't be compared with anything? what about the Subaru brz??

I really wish they would use terms like spyder instead of roadster lol

You shouldn’t have cupholders in sports car.

why they added Shark Fin? there is already a pop-up antenna then the rear glass antenna sooo how much does the rear viewing camera weighs?😲

Really confused. He says the GT is more comfortable than the club, but they both have the same suspension.

definitely a fun car

Alex I wonder if this mx5 could be my daily only car , In south of Ontario , thanks

How do you know your camera is a he? Doesn’t it deserve to determine its own individual sex!? 😂. Good job Alex keep it up!

hehe, Marzda, out of this world performance...

I'm still looking for a ND2 miata

Wouldn't the closest thing possible be the Fiat 124???

The thumbnail doesn’t show the RF. Wtf.