The Mazda Miata is the fun and affordable sports car you deserve.
2016 Mazda Miata Club Review
Good luck finding a more fun way to spend your money
Web2Carz Senior Staff Writer
Published: December 14th, 2015
The Miata is the car that has made so many people fall back in love with driving. It's fun to drive, small and affordable. The little convertible went through a major redesign for 2016, and we're very impressed with the results. Mazda took a car that everyone loves and made it better. We applaud their efforts and are currently clearing a Miata sized space in our garage.
THE RUNDOWN:
- Makes any drive fun
- Laughs per dollar quotient is stratospheric
- An improvement on an already great car
- Snappy, quick gearbox and easy clutch
- Beautiful exterior and simple but comfortable interior
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Exterior: The Miata nears perfection
Looking so much sleeker than previous generations, the 2016 Miata is both a homage to its first generation and a farewell to all generations since. Its lissome body and aggressively shaped hood, front fenders and headlights give this car a look that's as much classic roadster as it is modern. The car's almost-upturned rear is just the right length - something we can't say about the hind parts of the Fiat 124 Spider - and it isn't too busy or too simple, with attractive round brake lights and curved haunches. In short, everything about the Miata looks right.
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Interior: A comfortable and simple cockpit
The interior of the car is simple but effective, with cloth trimmed sport seats and a three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather-wrapped shifter. The seats are very comfortable and the steering wheel and shifter feel like they belong in your hands no matter what position they're in. The glove box is surprisingly large and cleverly placed although there isn't much other storage to speak of.
The infotainment center in the middle of the dash may not seem that large at seven inches, but when you're in the cockpit of the little car it seems massive. The central controls for the infotainment system are located behind the shifter, and we noticed they could be bumped on occasion by a forearm or elbow. -
On The Road: Nimble, fun and even better than before
The Miata shines on open, twisty roads, but it's fun on any street or highway. Easy to toss around every corner, the car makes even the most mundane drives interesting. Its clutch is so easy to use, and its snappy six-speed manual transmission is one of the best we've come across, both ergonomically and otherwise. You feel as though you're a part of the car when driving.
The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine's 155 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque feels like a lot more on the road. You sit so low in the Miata and the car is so light - having lost over 230 pounds since the third-generation - that the car simply takes off. It's not the fastest sports car out there, but the Miata will push you back in your seat when tested. 0-60 comes in 5.9 seconds, which is plenty fast but feels quicker in the Miata.
When we had a warm enough day to put the top down, we noticed the Miata protects you from the wind extremely well. Even on a brisk day, you can drive topless with the windows part-way up, turn the heat on and never be cold. With the top down you can also see a lot better. The only gripe we had was that with the top up the tiny rear window can be tough to see out of, but who really wants to drive the Miata with the top up anyway? -
Final Impressions: If you drive it, you'll want to buy it
We loved the previous generations of the Miata, but the 2016 is a continued step towards perfection. It's more than just a continuation of the Miata nameplate it's actually a major improvement on an already great vehicle. It could easily be the perfect car for the right person, though totally impractical for most people, and it's by far the best roadster we've driven and one of our favorite cars on the road.
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Price and Specifications:
Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Drivetrain Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Power Output: 155 hp / 148 lb-ft of torque
Fuel Economy (mpg): 27 city / 34 highway
Base Price: $28,600
As Tested: $33,120 (incl. $820 destination)
Options on our Test Vehicle: Soul Red Paint, Brembo/BBS Package: Brembo Front Brakes (Calipers and Rotors), Appearance Package for Club: Front Air Dam, Rear Spoiler, BBS 17-Forged Dark Alloy Wheels, Advanced Keyless Entry System, Rear Bumper Skirt, Side Sill Extensions
• For more information such as specs, prices, and photos of the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata, click here: 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata.