Does the 2022 BRZ / GR86 make the MX-5 Miata obsolete? 

Are you Team BRZ/GR86 or Team MX-5, and why? Leave a comment!

As a previous owner of a 2020 MX-5 GT 6-sp manual, I'll offer my two cents. First off, obviously, no coupe could ever make the Miata obsolete. The raison d'être of the Miata is that it's a two-seat convertible, and the Miata has the best soft top ever created. Two seconds up, two seconds down, right from your seat. It's so easy, a six-year-old can manage it. Top-down driving at night beneath the vast expanse of stars in Death Valley is something no coupe can ever touch. Other than its incredibly low weight, it's not about specs with the Miata. It's about those unique sensations that can only be experienced in a true light-weight roadster, which is why the RF retractable hard-top version of the MX-5 just doesn't cut it. It's not a true convertible; it's more of a targa-style top. When you look over your shoulder with the top down, instead of seeing redwoods or the ocean or that gorgeous brunette walking down the street, you see nothing but the inside of those flying buttresses. Huge blind spots. That's not a convertible. The RF also has a much noisier cabin with the top down, because of those wind-catching buttresses. With the rag top it's a much smoother, quieter, less buffeted airflow. Yes, the RF is quieter than the soft top with their tops up, but you buy a Miata for its top-down fun factor, not for its top-up decibel levels, don't you? Where the BRZ clearly shines over the Miata soft top is as a daily driver. Besides being slightly faster in a straight line, and significantly faster (stock to stock) around a racetrack, the BRZ's extra storage capacity and fixed hard top means you can park it outside at work for eight hours every day and not fear that your very nice convertible top will quickly be destroyed by the elements, including sun damage. Then, on the way home, you can make a Costco run, or you can load the car up with guitar gear and go to your gig while still bringing your girlfriend with you in the car. Can't do that in a Miata. Can't stow four sticky tires in the back of a Miata for your next track day, either. Another thing you can do in the BRZ that you can't do in the Miata is comfortably accommodate tall people. The Miata has a limit of about 6'2" for the driver, and that's pushing it. The passenger side is even worse, because the footwell is shorter on the passenger's side, and both the transmission hump and clip-in cup holder intrude into the passenger space. The Miata gets much better fuel mileage than the new BRZ, however, which is a daily-driver point in the MX-5's favor, but that point is balanced by the fact that the Miata is direct injected while the BRZ uses Toyota's excellent D-4S direct/port injection system. The Miata is eventually going to need its intake valves cleaned, due to carbon buildup. Mazda recommends this service every 15,000-30,000 miles, depending on the dealership. The BRZ's port injection ensures that the valves aren't going to gunk up, so there's an expensive bit of maintenance about which you'll never need to worry. Assuming you can fit in both cars, the choice between the Miata versus the BRZ mainly comes down to one question: a two-seat convertible, or a 2+2 coupe? The Miata is more fun, more iconic, and infinitely more viscerally satisfying. The BRZ is faster, sharper, more capable, and quite a bit more pragmatic. So, when it gets right down to it, what do you value more in your affordable sports car? Open-air nourishment for your soul, or sheer speed and excitement with a healthy helping of daily practicality?

Really good comparison. The extra storage space in the twins can be a big bonus for most car owners.

You remind me of one of my favorite auto journalists Carlos Lago! So incredibly clear and with genuine emotion. Awesome 👍

Been waiting for this one, great review! I had a chance to drive a friend’s BRZ back to back with my MX-5 in the canyons and totally agree with your assessment of how the two drive and feel.

Man your page is a hidden gem, you break things down really well and pleasing to listen to 👍🏻

Brilliant comparison on all the things I've been longing to know between these exact cars. Thanks loads for taking the time to do this! :)

You read my mind by posting this video James!

Fantastic review!

That point you made at 2:40 with the confidence you get from driving the brz is so true. I have the gr86 premium with the grippy tires and I've been driving it in the mountains. As I've driven it, it has felt super grippy and because of this I just kept and kept increasing my speeds in corners. It just felt like it wouldnt slide out no matter what. Like I was taking turns so I hard I could feel the G's forcing my head down. At some point though, with no warning the tail just gave out and I spun out. Luckily, road was wide enough with no traffic so it was alright. But basically, I went from full grip, full confidence to having the backend slide out with no real warning. Went home right after lol.

Great vid, first time coming across your channel, subscribed!

amazing. great review.

really good review, you deserve more subscribers

Exactly! The joy of driving is not in to speed or cars that is fast. MX is very different from all sportscar out there. Less power but the feeling/smile that this car will give you is PRICELESS.

Thanks James. I had the first BRZ model and the gas filter made noise in winter time. That why I traded in my BRZ for something else.

you are an amazing presenter

Thanks James, As a soon to be 60y/o Aussie, I enjoyed your review. I'm already sold on the BRZ, manual in WR Blue and will order mine tomorrow. I did have a quick look at the MX 5 but the space, looks, design and price, made it no contest for me. Just glad we can have a choice of either in this day and age.

BRZ is not sell in my country (France). Toyota sell GR 86, but we have to pay at least 17k euros for CO2 tax. Fortunately, i have a Mx5 ND RF, it gives me smile every days.

Great review and can tell you know what you're on about. I've got a UK 2019 BRZ and whilst it's got a good chassis no doubt i find the car soulless especially the engine!! I've never fallen in love with it :( I've never driven an MX5 but really want to try an ND2 to see if it's a modern sports car with the character i crave!

Hi James, I'm a former Miata(ND1) owner and my perspective of choosing a car is totally changed since I've owned it. I'm sure you know why. Here are some questions about the new GR86. I hope you can answer these compare to Miata. 1. the height of the seat (do you feel siting closer to the ground?) 2. fun in low speed (@6:57 you said you have more fun at 5/10 in miata does it mean daily commuting 86 would not be fun? some say 86 is 'only fun on the track') 3. feeling of speed (continuing question followed by 2) 4. clutch pressure effort (how much your leg will be tired and which clutch is giving you a more crisp biting feeling) 5. gear ratio (how frequently can you shift when you daily driven it) 6. front bumper overhang (which car will have more chance to scrap the front bumper chin) Thank you! looking forward to see more good detail reviews

Have you test the new kpc on the new 22 Miata yet?

They might want to check in with the dealer. My brake is not mushy at all.

No BRZ is not the same animal, Mazda is class & style!& ..12 year old GO CART FUN ❤️

The extra space is what wins for me.

Great video man, explaining the differences between both cars. Personally I'm 100% set on the BRZ. Because I want it for my main car for daily driving and going to the track on the weekends. The Miata is more of a toy and a second car and not very practical. Even though I really like the RF version. Now if Mazda releases the mythical RX9 at some point before we all die, that's a different story. haha

As someone who just got their first job as a nurse with a decent income, no family of my own (25 years old), and want to go on road trips which car would you recommend? I’d have to learn how to drive manual and I’m between these 2 cars. The convertible experience looks great yet the GR 86/BRZ seem more comfortable 😅

Inside noise: how is this one compared to MX5 RF and the old gen of Gt86-brz?

How is the vision when you're driving, i.e is it easy to see stuff on the road on such a low and small car? Never own a coupe before so I ask. My country has some on displayed only, and the models to be sold are ONLY automatic. Who would buy this car with an automatic is beyond me (unless no stock).

I always enjoy your reviews. You deserv hundreds of thousands of followers. Those of us who have big followers on Twitter/Insta/FB... etc we all should help this amazing RU-vid Channel.

This is the first time ive heard anyone say the GR86/BRZ is "too serious". Lol...but I get it, compared to the Miata, but I think almost every other car out there would seem too serious when compared to the Miata.

Can’t be a Miata killer, you can’t take the roof off. Two different markets. If you want a lightweight sporty convertible, there’s only one choice… yes the Toyota/Subaru is more practical, but give me the open-top wind in the hair anytime, I can live with the ‘impracticalities’.

The Miata's design is timeless. In 5-10 years, the BRZ and GR86 will look like an aged late 30 something woman trying to cling on to her great looks from her 20's.

obsolete, no? as a daily driver, yes! The Miata is a good second car if your first car is a serious daily driver. If you want a single car to have the most fun but still retain some cargo space, comfort and extra seating then gr86/brz is the way to go.

It needs a convertible first, then it will

Do a Elantra N review. I reckon you get both with that car. Very comfortable for a daily and can be ramped up on track

I'm not sure but it sounds like he is comparing a 2022 GR86 to a Mazda MX-5 that is not a 2022 model year.

The BRZ is not a convertible....so it is not better.

It’s a convertible so no

Never it’s not a convertible. Period.

A coupe makes a convertible obsolete. Got it ✅