The thrill of overtaking a more powerful car on track day with a seemingly humble vehicle is unmatched. Few cars embody this spirit better than the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The 2024 update to this iconic rear-wheel-drive roadster elevates its appeal even further.
Mazda MX-5: Design and Initial Impressions
The Mazda MX-5 Miata has always defied automotive machismo with its styling. Even in its current ND generation, Mazda resists the urge to over-design it with aggressive spoilers or unnecessary vents. It’s undeniably charming and compact, with a stance that suggests agility rather than brute force. If cars had personalities, the Miata would be the perpetually cheerful type, always ready for a good time. It stands in stark contrast to the attention-seeking, overcompensating designs prevalent today, prioritizing function and driving pleasure over mere aesthetics.
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata front quarter view, showcasing its updated DRLs and sleek design
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata rear quarter view, highlighting its compact dimensions and sporty stance
Mazda MX-5 Miata side profile, emphasizing its roadster silhouette and balanced proportions
Close-up of the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata headlights, displaying the redesigned daytime running lights
For 2024, subtle styling updates include revised daytime running lights (DRLs), new wheel designs, and the addition of a fresh gray paint option. However, the overall aesthetic remains consistent with the ND generation Miata introduced in 2015 – a testament to its enduring design. Inside, the most noticeable change is the upgraded 8.8-inch infotainment screen, running Mazda’s rotary dial-controlled operating system. Importantly, it also features touchscreen functionality when using Apple CarPlay, enhancing user-friendliness.
The cabin retains its delightful simplicity and focus on essential driving elements. Everything feels intentionally lightweight and slightly smaller compared to other modern cars. The climate controls are operated by classic rotary knobs, a refreshing analog touch in an era of screen-dominated dashboards. Similarly, the MX-5’s traditional gauges, now with black dials for improved readability, offer a charmingly retro feel.
Mazda MX-5 Miata interior view, showcasing the simplistic and driver-focused cockpit
Mazda MX-5 Miata dashboard close-up, highlighting the analog gauges and user-friendly controls
Mazda MX-5 Miata interior detail, showing the classic three-knob climate control system
Mazda MX-5 Miata steering wheel and gauge cluster, emphasizing the driver-centric design
Mazda MX-5 Miata infotainment screen and center console, displaying the updated 8.8-inch display
A subtle yet significant improvement for 2024 is the new frameless rearview mirror. Its shape is designed to maximize the viewing area within the space between the headrests, exemplifying Mazda’s commitment to weight reduction through their renowned “gram strategy.”
The seats offer good comfort, the sound system is adequate for a roadster, and tasteful stitching and bright accents prevent the interior from feeling too basic. The body-colored upper door trim creates a sense of jinba ittai – the feeling of oneness between car and driver – blurring the lines between the interior and exterior.
Mazda MX-5 Miata door interior, featuring body-colored upper trim and comfortable seating
Driving Dynamics: The Soul of the Mazda MX-5
Even without the body-colored door accents, the 2024 MX-5 masterfully achieves its core mission: forging a connection between driver and machine. This has been its hallmark for over three decades. Key mechanical enhancements for this year include a revised steering rack, engineered to reduce friction and enhance both agility and steering precision, and a new asymmetric limited-slip differential, designed to improve turn-in stability.
Having driven Miatas in the past, the 2024 model immediately feels more planted and less prone to excessive lateral movement when cornering. However, this newfound stability doesn’t translate to a loss of fun. The MX-5 remains delightfully responsive, eager to change direction, and communicative, transmitting feedback directly to the driver’s fingertips. The steering weight is perfectly judged, providing a genuine sense of connection to the road.
Mazda MX-5 Miata in motion on a winding road, showcasing its agile handling
The factory ride height of the MX-5 is relatively generous for a sports car, contributing to its comfortable ride quality over imperfect road surfaces. This compliant suspension doesn’t compromise cornering ability; instead, it enhances the Miata’s playful nature, making it feel like a more expressive and engaging dance partner rather than a less capable one.
The MX-5 excels at making even moderate speeds feel exhilarating. The 181-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 151 lb-ft of torque, propels the remarkably light 2,366-pound MX-5 with surprising pep and agility. While the engine and six-speed manual transmission are carried over, a new, intriguing mechanical whine is noticeable during low-to-mid-range acceleration. This sound, reminiscent of a supercharger or straight-cut gears, adds an unexpected and engaging layer to the driving experience, lending a slightly raw, almost clandestine feel to the car.
Mazda MX-5 Miata front view, highlighting its sporty and approachable design
Mazda MX-5 Miata on a racetrack, demonstrating its track-ready capabilities
The shifter retains its signature light and crisp action, prioritizing ease of use over a heavy, notchy feel. The clutch is equally light and, crucially, exceptionally easy to engage smoothly. The optional red-calipered Brembo brakes, while not facing immense demands due to the car’s low weight, are nonetheless strong, easily modulated, and reassuring without feeling overly aggressive.
Overall, the 2024 MX-5 remains an exceptional driving machine. It strikes a perfect balance of manageable excitement, featherweight agility, and refreshingly analog engagement, serving as a beacon of driving purity in a market increasingly dominated by heavy, overly complex, and overpowered performance cars.
Mazda MX-5 Miata cornering on a track, showcasing its balanced handling and fun-to-drive nature
Fuel Efficiency: Economical Fun
The MX-5’s lightweight construction not only enhances its driving dynamics but also contributes to impressive fuel efficiency. EPA estimates for the manual MX-5 are 26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. During testing, an observed 32 mpg in mixed driving conditions demonstrates its real-world fuel economy, remarkable for the level of driving enjoyment it delivers. In comparison, the larger, more powerful Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ consume more fuel regardless of transmission, while the automatic MX-5 achieves slightly better highway fuel economy than the manual version.
EPA fuel economy sticker for the Mazda MX-5 Miata, illustrating its efficient fuel consumption
Final Verdict: The Enduring Appeal of the Mazda Miata
In 2024, the mere existence of the Mazda MX-5 – a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive, manual roadster from a relatively small automaker – is a cause for celebration. The fact that it has maintained its original formula, its inherent fun-to-drive character, and weighs only marginally more than the original 1989 model is nothing short of a modern automotive miracle.
While the current ND generation may be maturing, Mazda’s dedication to incremental yet meaningful updates every few years is commendable. This latest ND3 iteration is indeed more refined to drive and easier to live with daily, thanks to the enhanced infotainment screen.
In essence, the Miata continues to be everything a Miata should be. It remains vibrant, engaging, and perpetually cheerful. The Mazda MX-5 simply aims to bring driving joy to its owners.
And ultimately, isn’t that what driving, and perhaps life itself, should be about?
Mazda MX-5 Miata parked with the top down, radiating its cheerful and inviting character
| 2024 Mazda MX-5 Specs |
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| Base Price (Canadian-spec GS-P Sport as tested) |
| Powertrain |
| Horsepower |
| Torque |
| Seating Capacity |
| Cargo Volume |
| Curb Weight |
| EPA Fuel Economy |
| Quick Take |
| Score |
Mazda MX-5 Miata convertible top mechanism, highlighting its simple and efficient design
Mazda MX-5 Miata wheel detail, showcasing the new wheel design for 2024
Mazda MX-5 Miata rear badge detail, showing the Mazda logo and model designation
Mazda MX-5 Miata front fender detail, showcasing the sleek body lines and turn signal indicator
Mazda MX-5 Miata seat detail, highlighting the comfortable and supportive design
Mazda MX-5 Miata taillight detail, featuring the signature ND generation design
Mazda MX-5 Miata engine bay view, showing the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
Mazda MX-5 Miata front grille close-up, emphasizing the Mazda brand identity
Mazda MX-5 Miata brake caliper detail, showcasing the optional Brembo brakes
