2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
| MSRP | $34,040 |
|---|---|
| What others are paying | $34,165 |
- 6 Colors
- 2 Trims
2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Review
- Sublime steering and handling
- RF doesn't sacrifice any of the soft top's fun-to-drive character
- Offers the security of a fixed-roof coupe
- Power-folding roof does not reduce trunk space
- Costs more than the soft-top Miata
- Noisy at highway speeds
- Tiny trunk
- New wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay integration
- White leather upholstery available
- Part of the fourth MX-5 Miata generation introduced for 2016
The Mazda MX-5 Miata RF enters a performance coupe and convertible segment in flux for the 2021 model year. Though the MX-5 has remained among our favorite choices since its 2016 debut, it always had a healthy dose of competition. Now, with the discontinuation of the Fiat 124 Spider (which was largely a disguised Miata anyway), and the gap year before we see redesigned versions of the Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ and Nissan Z, the MX-5 Miata finds itself alone at the top of the mountain.
No matter. This was an excellent two-seater in a crowded class, and it's an excellent two-seater in a deserted one. The MX-5 Miata RF in particular is a strong choice due to its power-folding hardtop, lending the convertible a flashy exterior style. For 2021 there are no significant changes besides the inclusion of wireless functionality for Apple CarPlay, which only increases bang for your buck. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our take on the Miata RF's performance, comfort and more.
What's it like to live with?
For some inside perspective on the Mazda MX-5 Miata ownership experience, check out our long-term road test. In recent years we've owned both a 2016 MX-5 Miata and a 2019 MX-5 Miata. Both of these models were soft-top convertibles, but our team's reflections should provide insight into owning an MX-5 Miata RF as well.
Our verdict | |
In a world of ever more complex performance cars, the refreshingly pure and elemental Mazda MX-5 Miata RF shows everyone how it's done. It's fun to drive and a little bit easier to live with than the regular Miata. The only downside is price. The standard Miata's budget-friendly Sport trim is not available in the RF, which starts with the midgrade Club level. That, plus the price premium the RF commands, makes it significantly more expensive than the base Miata. | |
How does the MX-5 Miata RF drive? | |
The Miata's featherweight construction and rear-wheel-drive platform mean that you can have a ton of fun without a supremely powerful engine. There's just 181 horsepower on tap, yet our manual transmission-equipped Miata RF test car sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in a respectably quick 6.6 seconds. You'll get the most driver engagement by picking the manual transmission. The Miata's brakes are another strong point — they are both easy to control and post short stopping distances. Though steering is a little light in effort, the steering wheel is just the right size and offers immediate response. The Miata responds best to smooth and deliberate inputs. It's precise and predictable, and it's easy to catch the rear end if you get a bit overzealous. There's noticeable body roll (even with the Club suspension), but the only time that becomes an issue is during fast, aggressive driving. | |
How comfortable is the MX-5 Miata RF? | |
Small two-seat roadsters aren't known for comfort, but the Miata is surprisingly livable in the day-to-day grind. The Club has a firmer ride than other Miata trims because of its Bilstein dampers, but it still has pretty good compliance over rough roads. Only larger potholes will send a shiver through the chassis. The optional Recaro seats offer an enviable combination of support, breathability and comfort. But they sit higher than the standard seats, making them a no-go for passengers over 6 feet tall. The Miata's only significant drawback comfort-wise is the abundant cabin noise, even with the additional sound insulation the RF provides compared to the soft top. Road and wind noise increases significantly with speed. On the highway, you'll have to raise your voice to talk to your passenger. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The cabin's elegant design makes the most of the tidy space and prioritizes the fun of driving. There are minimal controls, and those that exist are, perhaps unsurprisingly, easy to reach. The controls are placed cleverly, but their ease of use is primarily due to the Miata's minuscule cabin size. Drivers around 6 feet tall will push the boundaries of head- and legroom, and anyone much taller than that might not fit at all. But average-size drivers will have no problem finding an agreeable position. Forward visibility is great, though the rear view is somewhat impacted by the RF's targa-like top. The automatic top is quick to retract and deploy. | |
How’s the tech? | |
The MX-5 RF must balance driving purity with a driver's desire for modern connectivity and safety tech. Two USB ports are standard, as is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. There's also an impressive list of active safety features — the blind-spot monitor in particularly useful given the RF's visibility-reducing rear buttresses. The nine-speaker Bose audio system does a good job both filling the cabin with sound and competing with ambient noise. Voice controls are limited and stick to a menu of on-screen prompts, but the system recognizes speech well. | |
How’s the storage? | |
No one should expect a two-seat convertible to be a utilitarian machine, so the Miata's lack of carrying capacity shouldn't come as a surprise. The Miata RF's trunk measures just 4.6 cubic feet — the same as the one in the regular soft-top Miata. Unlike larger convertibles, there's no back seat to use as a cargo shelf. There's not even a glovebox. Instead, the Miata just has a small bin between the seats that serves as the main storage area for things such as smartphones, wallets or small handbags. There is sufficient room for one child or toddler in a forward-facing seat or booster only. There are no car seat anchors or top-tether attachment points. | |
How’s the fuel economy? | |
EPA-estimated fuel economy for the six-speed manual is 29 mpg combined (26 city/34 highway). In our RF test car, we managed 32 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route. Matching the EPA's numbers in the real world should be pretty doable. | |
Is the MX-5 Miata RF a good value? | |
The RF costs thousands more than the MX-5 Miata soft top. That's partially because Mazda doesn't offer an entry-level Sport trim on the RF. But even if you compare the RF to a standard Miata at its Club level, the RF still commands a premium. As with the standard MX-5, the RF's cabin materials are quite nice. An abundance of soft plastics and faux leather coverings give the interior an upscale feel. While the price can creep in upper trims and with option packages, the Miata is a good value overall. Mazda's bumper-to-bumper warranty is good for three years/36,000 miles, while the powertrain is covered for five years/60,000 miles. These are average for the segment. Roadside assistance is offered for three years/36,000 miles, which is below average among non-luxury convertibles. | |
Wildcard | |
The Miata maintains a thread from roadsters past, with a certain purity missing from more modern, tech-advanced cars. Drivers feel fully engaged as the car executes commands with urgency and accuracy. The RF's hardtop and fastback style are modern touches, but the driving enjoyment remains. | |
Which MX-5 Miata RF does Edmunds recommend?
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF models
The Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is a two-door sports car available in two trims: Club and Grand Touring. It separates itself from the standard MX-5 Miata with a power-folding roof that, when closed, makes the MX-5 RF look like a hardtop coupe. All models are rear-wheel-drive and powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (181 horsepower, 151 lb-ft of torque) paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic.
2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF pricing
in Ashburn, VA
2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF video
Here's Why We Love Driving the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF | One-Lap Review
NOTE: This video is about the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF, but since the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
Features & Specs
- Total MSRP
- $34,040
- MPG & Fuel
- 26 City / 34 Hwy / 29 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 11.9 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 2 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: rear wheel drive
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 181 hp @ 7000 rpm
- Torque: 151 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 3 yr./ 36000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 154.1 in. / Height: 49.0 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: N/A
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 68.3 in.
- Curb Weight: 2452 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 4.5 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite MX-5 Miata RF safety features:
- Blind-Spot Monitoring
- Alerts you to the presence of vehicles in adjacent lanes and sounds a chime if a signaled lane change might result in a collision.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Sounds an alert if perpendicular traffic approaches as you reverse from, say, a parking stall or a driveway.
- Adaptive Front-Lighting System
- Swivels the headlights in the direction the steering wheel is turned to provide better illumination around turns and curves.
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF vs. the competition
2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
2021 Hyundai Veloster
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF vs. Hyundai Veloster
This may seem a strange comparison, seeing as how the Veloster is a three-door hatchback. But for the performance-minded driver, these two are closer than they appear. The Veloster has excellent driving dynamics and is legitimately athletic on a windy road. The affordable price doesn't hurt, and the Turbo R-Spec and Veloster N models are shockingly fun.
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF vs. Ford Mustang
Consider the Ford Mustang convertible for something that's bigger and brasher than the Miata RF. Even a base Mustang has 310 horsepower, and the V8-powered Mustang GT boasts 460 hp. The Mustang is nowhere near as nimble or connected to its driver as the Miata, but it's equally as fun to drive in its own way.
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF vs. Mini Convertible
It's stylish, it's small and it's zippy. We could be talking about either the MX-5 or the Mini Convertible in that sentence. The Mini stands out with a refined interior and expansive customization options. It's less of a serious performance car than the MX-5 but certainly no less charismatic.
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FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF a good car?
What's new in the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF:
- New wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay integration
- White leather upholstery available
- Part of the fourth MX-5 Miata generation introduced for 2016
Is the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF reliable?
Is the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?
The least-expensive 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Club 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $33,045.
Other versions include:
- Club 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6A) which starts at $33,645
- Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6A) which starts at $35,050
- Club 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $33,045
- Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $34,525
