The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the last of its kind. Mazda’s compact 2-seat roadster is nimble, quick, and affordable. The brilliantly designed soft top can be raised or lowered with one hand, while the MX-5 Miata RF gets a retractable hardtop offering year-round driving comfort but slightly less headroom.
Keeping it simple, the MX-5 Miata offers three trims: Sport, Club, and Grand Touring. All come with the same 181-horsepower 2.0-liter engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Only the top-line Grand Touring offers the option of a 6-speed automatic, another indication of the MX-5 enthusiast roots.
While not big on power or capacity (the trunk measures a mere 4.59 cubic feet, 4.48 in the RF), the MX-5 Miata promises a good time, especially when long stretches of pavement turn to twisting asphalt ribbons.
As for competitors, you won’t find many, at least not in the MX-5’s price range. The Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86 offers 2-seat accommodations but no convertible top. The Mini Cooper Convertible is undoubtedly entertaining but includes a back seat. The BMW Z4 and Porsche 718 Boxster cost thousands more, although they also offer more power and better performance, at least regarding acceleration.
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport: $28,050
The Sport is the purist MX-5 Miata, equipped with the bare minimum features expected of a modern car but little else. The only transmission is a 6-speed manual; the only roof is the retractable soft top.
Given its diminutive size and soft top, one might conclude the MX-5 is too small for advanced safety features, but that’s not the case. Standard systems include forward collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera.
Front and side-impact airbags come standard, as does a tire pressure monitor.
The Sport rolls in on 16-inch black alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance tires. Exterior features include LED headlights and taillights, a glass rear window with a defroster, variable intermittent wipers, power mirrors, and dual exhaust outlets.
Mazda’s Advanced Keyless Entry allows unlocking/locking the doors and starting the car without removing the key fob from your purse or pocket.
The MX-5 cabin touts manual cloth bucket seats with driver’s seat tilt adjustment, a leather-wrapped shift knob and parking brake lever, a mesh wind blocker, and a leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio, Bluetooth, and cruise controls.
Amenities include power door locks, power windows with one-touch down, air conditioning, a push-button starter, remote trunk release, and a locking center console.
The MX-5’s Mazda Connect infotainment setup uses a 7-inch color touchscreen with a console-mounted rotary controller that operates most of the system’s features. You can also speak specific commands. Included in the bundle are a 6-speaker AM/FM/HD Radio tuner (includes driver’s side headrest speakers), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, two USB audio input ports, and one auxiliary input jack.
Mazda Connect also includes apps for Pandora, Stitcher, and emergency services.
There are no factory options for the Sport but numerous dealer accessories, including a plug-in SD card that adds instant GPS navigation.
With the $1,065 delivery charge, the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport costs $29,115. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to approximately $523. See 2023 Mazda MX-5 Sport models for sale near you
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport includes:
- 6-speed manual transmission – The MX-5’s 6-speed manual is one of the best in the business, offering quick, precise shifts accomplished with little more than a flick of the wrist.
- LED headlights – These provide bright white light for improved nighttime vision.
- Emergency braking – Despite its manual transmission, the MX-5 still accommodates automatic emergency braking.
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club: $31,550, MX-5 Miata RF Club: $38,550
The Club adds a few more features we think most buyers will appreciate, although an automatic transmission option is not one of them.
On the performance front, the Sport gains a front shock tower brace, a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shocks, an induction sound enhancer, a limited-slip differential, and 17-inch black alloy wheels.
Exterior enhancements include a black rear spoiler, a black front air dam, and a trunk-mounted shark-fin antenna.
The Club’s interior gains 3-setting heated front seats, piano black accents, and a 9-speaker Bose audio system.
Mazda has upgraded the infotainment system, adding features like SiriusXM satellite radio and wireless Apple CarPlay.
The Club RF includes the same equipment but adds a retractable targa top that stows beneath a flying buttress-style fastback roof.
The Brembo/BBS/Recaro Package (offered exclusively on the Club) adds Brembo front brakes with red-painted front and rear calipers, 17-inch BBS forged alloy wheels, side sill extensions, a rear bumper skirt, and heated Recaro sport seats. This package is optional on the Club convertible and standard on the Club RF.
With the $1,065 delivery charge, the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club costs $32,615. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to approximately $586. See 2023 Mazda MX-5 Club models for sale near you
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club includes:
- Bilstein shock absorbers – The Club’s sport-tuned suspension includes Bilstein dampers that stiffen the ride and improve high-speed cornering.
- Heated seats – There’s nothing better than driving on a brisk day with the top down and seat heat helping to keep you warm.
- Bose audio – Top-down driving demands a powerful audio system to overcome wind noise. Music devotees will love the 9-speaker Bose sound system, which includes a powered subwoofer.
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring: $33,050, Grand Touring RF: $35,350
The Grand Touring is the most opulent MX-5 and the only one to offer a 6-speed automatic transmission ($550 extra for the RF).
Like the Club, the Grand Touring comes as a soft-top convertible or retractable hardtop RF.
Adding to the Club’s equipment, the Grand Touring features 17-inch silver alloy wheels, heated side mirrors with driver’s side auto-dimming mirror, and door sill plates. It loses the black front air dam and rear lip spoiler.
The Grand Touring cockpit gains automatic climate control, leather seats, a cloth lining for the soft top, navigation, and a 3-year complimentary subscription to SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.
Additional safety systems count adaptive LED headlights, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition.
Optional on Grand Touring models wearing Snowflake White, Machine Gray, and Platinum Quartz paint is supple Nappa leather upholstery in Terra Cotta.
With the $1,065 delivery charge, the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring costs $34,115. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to approximately $613. See 2023 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring models for sale near you
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring includes:
- Automatic high beams – The Grand Touring’s high beams automatically activate in low-light situations and dim themselves when sensing oncoming vehicles.
- Leather seats – Rich to the touch, the Grand Touring’s leather seats look particularly handsome in available Terra Cotta.
- Available 6-speed automatic – Why should manual drivers have all the fun? The Grand Touring’s available automatic transmission lets everyone come along for the ride.
