Mazda MX-5
FINAL REPORT Roadster has proven why it’s a winner after a year on fleet
IT ’S time to say goodbye to our Mazda MX-5 after 12 months of motoring – and what a year it’s been.
The Mazda is sublime, so it was no surprise that it took the Best Roadster crown at the Auto Express 2016 New Car Awards. This is a huge accolade, but the MX-5 went one step better, with its blend of attributes helping it secure one of the biggest prizes in motoring – the World Car of the Year title for 2016.
Our 1.5-litre model in SE-L Nav trim is the sweet spot of the range, with just the right level of equipment to make the MX-5 usable, balancing kit with cost. However, it’s the drivetrain and chassis that have really impressed us during the time we’ve spent with the car.
With a modest 129bhp, the entry-level 1.5 engine is more eager to rev than the 2.0-litre that’s also available. You have to work it, because its 150Nm of torque is produced high up the range at 4,800rpm, but it relishes revs and sounds great.
This is no real surprise; the fourthgeneration MX-5 was designed around this smaller, raspy, naturally aspirated engine, and the way the powertrain works with the chassis makes this one of the most engaging sports cars on the market – at any price.
The six-speed gearbox is precise, perfectly weighted and provides a lovely connection to the car. The snappy throttle response means you can easily heel-and-toe ‘blip’ your downchanges, while the light clutch makes it as smooth as a supermini in traffic. Our model didn’t feature the firmer Bilstein dampers that only come on the 2.0-litre Sport Nav, but it doesn’t need them.
The MX-5’S softer set-up makes it more compliant over rough roads. But the more forgiving suspension does highlight a few flaws. There’s a noticeable amount of roll, and the open-top layout means there’s some scuttle shake from the chassis. The cabin is cramped, too, and storage isn’t great, with no glovebox and just a few cubbies. But these elements are secondary to the way the car drives, and the fun it delivers.
We enjoyed it at its best over summer, where the manual soft-top makes it simple to drop the roof at the first sign of some sun, but even the worst of the winter weather couldn’t dent our enthusiasm. Refinement is good with the top up, and when it’s down there’s not too much buffeting, thanks to a little wind deflector between the seats.
This MX-5 has moved the game on with its style and tech at such an affordable price. Our car cost £20,195, and while that’s only £800 less than a turbocharged Fiat 124 Spider, the extra would buy only a basic Fiat, which can’t match the Mazda’s kit or engine purity.