2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
MSRP range: $35,350 - $38,550 Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.
8.0/10
Edmunds Rating
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 standard Miata.
2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Review
byChristian Wardlaw
Correspondent
Christian Wardlaw is an automotive journalist at Edmunds., rating written byKurt Niebuhr
Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers.Pros
- 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
Cons
- Costs more than the soft-top Miata
- Noisy at highway speeds
- Tiny trunk
What's new
- New tech that Mazda says will improve stability while cornering
- Club trim is now special order, comes only with a manual transmission
- Part of the fourth MX-5 Miata generation introduced for 2016
Mazda MX-5 Miatas are all about pure driving enjoyment, usually with the standard convertible top down. But convertible tops can age and fray, they make it easy for thieves to gain entry to a vehicle, and they do a poor job of isolating you from cold and inclement weather. So, what can you do if you want all of the pleasure of driving a Miata but without the exposure to searing sunlight, drumming rain, cold mornings and potential theft? Get the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF, or retractable fastback.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.07 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$172/mo
MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Compact Car
This version of Mazda's legendary sports car has a coupe-style roof to provide protection from the weather and criminals, but on sunny days and balmy nights, the panel over the front seats and the rear window glass retract to open the car's cabin to the elements. The MX-5 Miata RF offers the best of both worlds: a buttoned-up cabin when the weather is uncooperative and an open-air driving experience when desirable.
There are a couple of downsides to this model. First, the RF is substantially more expensive than the standard MX-5 Miata. Second, with the roof panel stowed and the windows down, the interior suffers more wind buffeting than the fabric-topped convertible. But otherwise, the Miata RF is every bit as fun to drive as its fully open sibling.
For 2022, Mazda introduces Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) to the MX-5 Miata RF. According to the automaker, this standard technology aims to improve high-speed cornering stability and control. In high g-force cornering situations, KPC will apply light braking to the Miata's inside rear wheel to reduce body roll, improve steering linearity, and create a limited-slip differential effect. As if we needed yet another reason to drive this terrific sports car.
What's it like to live with?
The last time Mazda upped the MX-5's fun quotient in 2019, by adding more power and making a few other mechanical tweaks, we added one to our long-term test fleet for a year of unadulterated driving pleasure. Even the staff member who didn't really fit into it loved driving the Miata. Read our long-term Miata test results to see if we think a Miata is always the answer to the question of what to drive.
Edmunds Expert Rating
good
8.0/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
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 standard Miata.
Rated for you by America's best test team.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
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2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Grand Touring
2.0L 4cyl 6M
Edmunds suggests you pay
$35,724
1 for sale in 20147
Club
2.0L 4cyl 6M
Edmunds suggests you pay
$39,367
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Which MX-5 Miata RF does Edmunds recommend?
Since most people cannot operate a manual transmission and the Club model is now a special-order vehicle, we recommend the Grand Touring trim level. It offers a choice between transmissions and is the only MX-5 Miata RF you're likely to find in dealership stock. It comes fully equipped, too, aside from a handful of accessories.
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF models
Mazda keeps it simple with the MX-5 Miata RF. The two-door, two-seat sports car is available in Club and Grand Touring trim levels. Each is equipped with a power-folding roof that opens in 13 seconds and, when closed, makes the MX-5 RF look like a hardtop coupe.
Helpful shopping links
2022 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 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
Carlos Lago gets behind the wheel of the new 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club RF. Updates to this version of our favorite roadster include more power, a higher redline, and improvements to the suspension and the interior. The Club variant comes with firmer Bilstein shock absorbers, and RF… speaks to the retractable folding hardtop. Why do we like this little car so much? Ride along at the Edmunds test track to find out.
Features & Specs
- Total MSRP
- $36,365
- 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 @ 7,000 rpm
- Torque: 151 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 3 yr./ 36,000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 154.1 in. / Height: 49.0 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 68.3 in.
- Curb Weight: 2,452 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 4.5 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite MX-5 Miata RF safety features:
- Smart City Brake Support
- Operational at lower speeds, this forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking system can help a driver to avoid a collision or reduce speed before impact.
- 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.
- Adaptive Front-Lighting System
- Swivels the headlights in the direction the driver is steering to provide better illumination around turns and curves.
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FAQ
Is the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2022 MX-5 Miata RF both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.0 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the MX-5 Miata RF has 4.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Mazda MX-5 Miata RF. Learn more
What's new in the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF:
- New tech that Mazda says will improve stability while cornering
- Club trim is now special order, comes only with a manual transmission
- Part of the fourth MX-5 Miata generation introduced for 2016
Is the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF reliable?
To determine whether the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the MX-5 Miata RF. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the MX-5 Miata RF's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2022 MX-5 Miata RF and gave it a 8.0 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2022 MX-5 Miata RF is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?
The least-expensive 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $35,350.
Other versions include:
- Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $35,350
- Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6A) which starts at $35,900
- Club 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $38,550
What are the different models of Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?
If you're interested in the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF, the next question is, which MX-5 Miata RF model is right for you? MX-5 Miata RF variants include Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M), Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6A), and Club 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M). For a full list of MX-5 Miata RF models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
