Experienced by Adrian McQueen
Photos by Adrenaline Lifestyles
The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Club rolled in just in time for me to drop the top and enjoy the ride. The MX-5 Miata is a lightweight two-passenger roadster and Mazda’s flagship sports car manufactured. This speedy little roadster was made for fun.
The MX-5 debuted in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show. The name “miata” derives from Old High German for “reward”. This is such a popular vehicle that in 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records declared the MX-5 the best-selling two-seat sports car in history, with a total production of 531,890 units. In 2016, Mazda broke its own Guinness World Record by producing its one millionth MX-5.
Upon first look you notice the sporty design and the polymetal gray metallic hue. The soft-top model that we reviewed weighs 115 pounds less than the hard top model and sits on 17-inch alloy wheels. The Brembo brake calipers solidify that this beast has enough stopping power when it has to be tamed. The Mazda MX-5 is sleek and sporty in design with features such as the adaptive front-lighting system with LED headlights and taillights, high beam control, glass rear window with defogger, dual exhaust w/bright outlets, aluminum hood and trunk lid, auto-dimming driver side mirror, heated side mirrors, daytime running lights and power side mirrors. This sporty roadster is surely a head turner.
The 2023 Mazda MX-5 packs a punch with a 181-horsepower, SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that is producing 151 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheel. The MX-5 accelerates fast off the line, handles corners well and can keep up well on the highway. The MX-5 is a fun car to drive and it definitely left my adrenaline pumping as I opened it up in and around the city.
We already touched on the speed, so the safety must be noted. The 2023 Mazda MX-5 RF has got you covered with Mazda’s i-ACTIVSENSE active safety technology includes smart city brake support, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, traction control system, rain-sensing windshield wipers, anti-lock brake system, tire pressure monitoring system and the dynamic stability control system. Along with the safety technology in the vehicle there is also advanced dual front air bags, front side-impact air bags and side-impact door beams to keep you safe. A rearview camera comes standard in the Miata.
This is indeed a true sports car, so I did endure a snug fit inside the cabin but I was never uncomfortable. The MX-5 has a telescoping steering wheel, which was engineered to give taller drivers an easier reach to the wheel. The position of the pedals, steering wheel and the gear shift are in sync with each other. This is a rather small cabin but Mazda designed it to the point that everything fits comfortably. The cup holders, front and rear storage space and more were all conveniently setup in the vehicle. The MX-5 has a 4.6-cubic-foot trunk that is relatively small but I was able to get the speakers to fit when I showcased it at Cars and Brunch. The interior storage compartments that the MX-5 has are small but useful.
The technology within the MX-5 ranks as one if it’s highlights. The 9-speaker Bose audio system with headrest speakers astounded me. The sound was so crisp with deep hitting bass moved my body like only a Bose system could. The MX-5 also has the Mazda ConnectTM infotainment system with the 7-inch full-color in the center dash. I was able to use the touchscreen to access the Mazda Connect infotainment system and operate the HD Radio, SiriusXM, navigation, my phone and numerous voice control options. The MX-5 does now offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The 2023 Mazda MX-5 RF sits in a highly competitive class, giving consumers a wide array of options to choose from such as the Toyota 86, MINI Cooper Convertible, Honda Civic Type R, Volkswagen Golf GTI, and the Toyota Supra. This is also known as the “fun size” group of vehicles.
The Mazda MX-5 with Black Gray interior model tested was priced competitively, coming in at $36,710 after all the options, delivery and fees. Gas mileage is very important and the MX-5 is sitting at the top of the mountain. The gas mileage on the MX-5 RF is ranked extremely high in its class. The 6 speed automatic that we tested came in at an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg combined. The Mazda MX-5 RF comes with a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Every new Mazda is eligible for a three-year, 36,000-mile roadside assistance program as well. All in all, this is fun, fast and reliable vehicle. Enjoy the photo gallery.
