Mazda MX-5 Miata still reigns at 32
There’s little room, the trunk is tiny, body and cargo space minimal. It’s difficult to enter and exit, and it’s loud. Welcome another edition of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, nearly everyone’s favorite 32- year- old lightweight roadster.
For 2020, the best- selling sports car in history is a continuation of the fourth generation introduced in 2016. It’s stayed much the same, with a few refreshes along the way.
The two- seater is available in Sport, Club and Grand Touring trims, all propelled by 2.0- liter, four- cylinder engines with 181 horsepower.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard on all models and a sixspeed automatic transmission is optional. The standard transmission option shifts smoothly and propels the sports car from 0- to- 60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds.
All MX-5 Miata choices define driving fun, but the Club trim is the sportiest. Buyers opting for the manual transmission get three keen upgrades. The Appearance Package is combined with the Brembo/ Recaro Package. It’s $ 4,470 total, and it’s worth it.
The Appearance Package includes a front air dam, rear bumper skirt and side still extensions. The
Brembo/ Recaro selection features the specialized Italian brakes for performance cars, most often with red front and rear calipers. Heated Recaro seats and 17- inch dark alloy wheels are also in the package.
The collective additions make the MX-5 appreciably more attractive, particularly with the optional Machine Gray exterior paint ($300).
Standard features in the Club trim are an extension of the Base Trim and include: LED headlights, keyless entry and ignition, a 7- inch touchscreen, a six- speaker audio system and two USB ports.
The sportiness is enhanced with a front strut- tower brace, an induction sound enhancer, a limited- slip differential and Bilstein dampers.
Safety is also a strong suit. Forward collision warning, blindspot monitor and rear cross- traffic alert are standard. Apple Carplay and Android Auto were added this year on the Club and Grand Touring trims.