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What Is It?
Hot on the heels of its 25th anniversary, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the thoroughly redesigned fourth generation of the iconic roadster. Known to expectant Miata aficionados by its "ND" code name, every part of the new Miata has been redesigned with one mantra in mind: Innovate in order to preserve.
What Mazda engineers strove to hang on to were the qualities that made the original 1990 Miata a runaway success: a light feel, direct response and a high level of driver engagement. But it also resonated with buyers because it came wrapped in a friendly and inexpensive two-seat convertible package that anyone could drive and enjoy.
Staying true to your roots is tough sledding. Other inexpensive hero cars of the past (the Datsun 240Z, Toyota Supra and even Mazda's RX-7) lost sight of what made them initially successful as they grew more luxurious, expensive (and less relevant) with each successive redesign.
Mazda would have to apply some brainpower if the 2016 MX-5 were to combat bloat and meet its aggressive weight-loss target of 220 pounds in the face of the steady march of safety standards and the increasing list of must-have convenience and connectivity features.
What Has Changed?
The 2016 Mazda MX-5 wears a more athletic skin with taut lines and tightly sculpted surfaces. Its new 91.1-inch wheelbase is just over a half-inch shorter, but overall length has shrunk by a full 3.2 inches thanks to equal reductions in the front and rear overhangs. This is the stubbiest Miata to date.
Despite this, the hood is actually longer because the windshield has been moved back 2.8 inches. Underneath, the engine sits a half-inch lower and 0.6 inch farther aft. The car now stands 0.4 inch shorter at the roof and the driver's butt sits 0.8 inch lower.
These tweaks conspire to shrink the Miata, which trims mass. But these alterations are directionally positive for handling, too.
Additional weight savings came from substantial increases in the use of high-strength steel, especially in critical structural areas. Selected parts — including the front suspension knuckles, differential housing, front fenders and convertible top frame — are now made of aluminum. Just about everything else has been subjected to a general diet and optimization program. The seats, for example, shed 8.5 pounds apiece.
Our test vehicle tipped the scales at a very light 2,309 pounds — an astounding 195 pounds lighter than the 2015 Miata Club we last tested. It is worth noting, however, that our preproduction model was missing the body kits that are part of the Club trim and Brembo/BBS package.
All of this eases the burden on the new 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. We've seen the block, head and moving parts of this direct-injected engine before in the CX-5 and Mazda 3. But the MX-5 rear-wheel-drive version is built on a longitudinally oriented block with new intake and exhaust manifolds. In Miata trim this U.S.-only offering will make 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. It's backed by a six-speed manual transmission that weighs 15 pounds less than the current version.
How Many Trim Levels Are There?
The base Sport trim has a starting price of $25,735 with feature highlights that include LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, cloth seats, power windows and an audio system with USB/iPod integration.
We tested the performance-oriented Club trim which adds 17-inch wheels with wider tires, a limited-slip differential, a sport-tuned suspension, sporty body cladding and the Mazda Connect infotainment interface. On top of the $29,420 price tag for the Club, was the optional $3,400 Brembo/BBS package that adds upgraded front brakes, lighter wheels, side sill extensions and a rear bumper skirt. The as-tested price jumps to $32,820.
The more luxurious Grand Touring trim foregoes the performance upgrades in favor of creature comforts like leather upholstery, heated seats, automatic climate control, a premium Bose audio system, a navigation system and advanced safety features. In the end, it will set you back $30,885. All models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but a six-speed automatic is available for $1,480.
How Does It Drive?
Here in the U.S., we get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that's good for 155 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. It gives up 12 hp to the previous Miata, but gains 8 lb-ft of torque. The rest of the world has to make due with a weaker 1.5-liter powerplant.
In Edmunds' testing, the U.S.-spec Miata reached 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, which is a half-second quicker than its predecessor. Working up and down the gearbox is wonderfully familiar, thanks to perfect pedal placement, very intuitive clutch engagement and the sort of satisfyingly direct shifter the Miata is known for.
Stopping from 60 mph required 111 feet — only a few feet longer than what we'd expect from a lightweight convertible. The brake pedal remained firm after several runs and the car slowed in a composed and controllable fashion.
What's missing is cowl shake, which has been pared back to near zero via structural optimization of the windshield pillar and dashboard supports. The feeling would be that of a fixed-roof car if fresh air wasn't filtering through our follicles. But even that is less pronounced than before thanks to improved cabin airflow management.
What Is the Interior Like?
Though smaller on the outside, the new Miata's interior is more friendly and spacious. The lowered seating position adds 0.4 inch of headroom, and at the rearmost seating position the maximum backrest recline angle improves 2 degrees (from 25 to 27).
The inside door tops are painted to match the exterior, but the really cool part is the character line that seems to penetrate through the dash and join up with the hood — a clever visual trick that connects the driver to what's going on outside.
There's a symmetry to the cockpit that centers around the large centrally mounted tachometer. Two gauge clusters nestle up to its sides and a pair of eyeball vents sit just outside the steering wheel. The steering wheel is a smidge smaller than last year and the steering column has been repositioned to improve the driver's pedal workspace below.
The new top is easy to flop forward because of its newfound lightness, and a removable windblock panel sits between the standard twin roll hoops.
All of the cabin materials have been upgraded, and the newly redesigned seats offer seamless comfort owing to the lighter net-style suspension system that replaces steel springs. Mazda's recently upgraded palette of buttons and knobs is here, and we're particularly fond of the master control array used to manipulate the well-conceived entertainment and navigation system. Unfortunately, the controller's placement just behind the shifter is not optimal. Drivers will need to rest their arm just off center to avoid unintentional button and dial taps.
What Kind of Mileage Does It Deliver?
The EPA estimates fuel economy 30 mpg combined (27 city/34 highway) for the manual transmission. The automatic increases highway mileage to 36 mpg. We easily exceeded these estimates by attaining a 35.1-mpg result on our highway-heavy evaluation loop and 28.5 mpg over the few days we spent with it.
What Are Its Closest Competitors?
The closest offering comes from the Mini stable in the form of the Mini Cooper convertible or the Mini Cooper Roadster convertible. Right away you can see a problem. The Mini is cool, handles well and has heritage on its side, but it's a front-drive roof-cut-off vehicle that strikes a more upright pose. It costs a bit more, too, but the option of a backseat is on the table.
At one point the BMW Z3, Mercedes-Benz SLK and Porsche Boxster seemed like competitors. All were launched, one could argue, in response to the runaway success of the Miata. But today all three have marched decidedly upmarket to the point where it's a matter of calculating how many MX-5s you can get for one of them.
The Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky were conceived to go head-to-head with the Miata, too, but both of them are now long gone — along with the very brands that sold them.
Why Should You Consider It?
Anyone who wants a simple and engaging rear-drive roadster should look no further. There's a lot of fun-to-drive on hand for less than half the cost of what the German competition is peddling. And the Miata is the far more accessible car, in that you'll never feel the need to attend a racing school to enjoy it.
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
Is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata a good car?
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2016 MX-5 Miata featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
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We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
How do people like the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2016 MX-5 Miata 4.7 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2016 MX-5 Miata.
Vehicle
Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
Review
Don't think this little roadster won't be exciting to drive with only 155 horses under the hood. I've been driving the Grand Touring version since August and I really hate pulling it into the garage for the night. The short throw, six speed manual shift is so sweet. My daily commute is 12 miles of country roads ( speed limits 35 to 55 ) which puts the tach between 1500 & 2200. I'm getting 38 to 42 mpg, not 28 to 34 as suggested on the sticker! My only freeway run was the hour and a half drive coming home from the dealership at 80 mph. Only got 36 mpg on that trip. I'll take it back to the dealer for it's first free oil change but I definitely won't use the freeway, (no fun in that!) Coffee drinkers will be dissappointed with either of the cup holder positions as you and a passenger will be banging your knees on them (if holders are installed on either side of the front center console) and if the holders are at the rear of center console, reaching for your cup will be a little awkward. Trust me, you won't feel the need for caffeine when your slide behind the wheel! The glove compartment is between the seat backs (right above the cup holders) so don't be reaching for any items while driving. There aren't any door pockets for storage either. The trunk can hold 4 or 5 bags of groceries (but not your golf clubs). If the lack of storage positions bothers you, ... take your spouse's car but don't be surprised if they won't give your's back! Final analysis ... I've deleted my "Bucket List" ... Don't need it! I'm having too much fun driving my Miata! Updated 11/12/2016: It's been an unusually warm autumn for 2016 which has happily extended my top down driving fun! My Miata was purchased to be driven only on rare special occasions in nice weather (so I could gift it to my 4 year old grandson upon my demise which hopefully won't be for 20+ years). Unfortunately, this car has become my "preferred" choice of transportation, so I no longer see myself limiting my driving to 1,000 miles a year. My grandson will probably be inheriting a Miata with 100,000+ miles on it at the rate I've been using it! Sorry about that kiddo!
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
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What options are available on the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
Available Mazda MX-5 Miata 2016 Submodel Types: Convertible
Available Trims: Grand Touring, Club, Sport, Touring, LS, Base, Cloth, Special Edition, 3rd Generation Limited, M-Edition, Limited, SE, Shinsen
Exterior Colors: Jet Black Mica, Soul Red Metallic, Ceramic Metallic, Crystal White Pearl Mica, Liquid Silver Metallic, True Red, Meteor Gray Mica, Copper Red Mica, Stormy Blue Mica, Sunlight Silver Metallic, Brilliant Black, Marble White, Brilliant Black Clearcoat, Blue Reflex Mica, Classic Red, Galaxy Gray Metallic, Arctic White, Galaxy Gray Mica, Garnet Red Mica, Jet Black, Midnight Blue Mica, Black Cherry Mica, Zeal Red, Crystal Blue Metallic, Dolphin Gray Mica , Highland Green, Highlight Silver Metallic, Mariner Blue, Meteor Gray, Nordic Green, Strato Blue, Velocity Red Mica, White, Winning Blue Metallic
Interior Colors: Black leather, Black cloth, Black w/Red Stitch cloth, Sport Tan leather, Tan leather, Black, Tan, Spicy Mocha leather, Dune Beige leather, Parchment, Blue, Gray
Popular Features: Soft Top, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Tire Pressure Warning, Aux Audio Inputs, Trip Computer, Stability Control, Upgraded Headlights, Bluetooth, Leather Seats, USB Inputs, Heated seats, Keyless Entry/Start, Alarm, Blind Spot Monitoring, Auto Climate Control, Hardtop, Lane Departure Warning, Navigation
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: MANUAL, AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: premium unleaded (recommended), premium unleaded (required), regular unleaded
Drivetrains: rear wheel drive
