Mazda’s MX-5 Miata lives for cruising on perfect summer days
All it takes is one latch.
Unhook it, fold the roof behind the only two seats and with one fell swoop you’ve formed a nearly unbreakable bond with the universe.
Short of a motorcycle, the only way for humans to savour these moments is without steel, glass and fabric above our heads.
Pass the sunscreen: This is Mazda Miata season.
Since Mazda pulled the cover off this plucky little convertible back in 1989, it has made one million of them. Sure, Toyota sold that many Corollas over the past three years alone. But when you consider the Miata (technically the MX-5) appeals to most of the crossover-buying masses, the little car is basically the Ron Burgundy of twoseat droptops. Having outlived the Honda Del Sol, Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky near-twins, and the exceptional Honda S2000, the Miata is kind of a big deal.
The newest Miata, known as the ND among the Mazda-obsessed, represents a full circle. It’s lighter, smaller and more playful than the one that came before it. It’s also probably the prettiest of the previous three generations. Heck, it even won the 2016 World Car Design of the Year award.
The new one is still smiley, but it also looks like it’s scheming and up to no good.
This explains why the ND Miata is — to exactly no one’s surprise — an absolute joy to drive. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine delivers 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. That’s nothing to sneeze at, but the Miata has always been more than the sum of it’s parts. It’s how everything comes together, from the rev-happy engine to the exceptionally tight steering; from the slick transmission to the remarkably small footprint.
In a world where autonomous cruise control is quickly becoming the norm, the Miata still values you as a driver. It rewards you with playfulness on tight roads. With a delightful bark after each perfect downshift. With tanned, nectarine-coloured arms because you can’t not drive it with the top down. It’s truly remarkable how cute the Miata can be on first glance, yet it easily transforms into a rambunctious little plaything.
The one drawback is the membership fee to join the club. The new Miata starts at $31,900, but tick all the option boxes and you’re looking at just under $40,000. .