2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review

Unlike most vehicles in today's new car market, the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata isn't built for practicality or utility. It doesn't offer the latest in tech or much comfort, and it only has two seats. Instead, the tiny convertible is built for one thing: driving pleasure. Its precise steering, athletic handling and rear-wheel-drive layout will have you cruising along curvy roads with a big smile on your face. The Miata's modest 181 horsepower won't win any drag races, but this sports car isn't about straight-line speed.

Engaging driving dynamics and open-top fun sound enticing, but the Miata isn't for everyone. Its very small interior will force tall people to shoehorn themselves in — or not fit at all. The trunk is so small a weekend trip for two might be out of the question unless you pack very lightly. The Mazda also doesn't offer as much tech or as many advanced driver aids as some of its rivals do. If those drawbacks have you reconsidering, the larger Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ are the Miata's closest rivals in terms of price, size and fun factor. But if you want something larger and more powerful, there's the Ford Mustang, which is offered as a coupe or convertible. If you don't mind front-wheel-drive fun, consider the more practical Volkswagen Golf GTI. Be sure to check out the Edmunds Expert Rating below for our test team's in-depth review of the Miata's performance, comfort, tech and more.

What's it like to live with?

We know exactly what it's like to live with a fourth-generation MX-5 Miata because it has been in our long-term test fleet not once, but twice. That already gives you an idea of how much we like the roadster. We drove a 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata, the first model year of the current generation, over 20,000 miles. Then we got our hands on the updated 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata to see if the upgrades, which include a more powerful engine, made this little fun machine any better. Our long-term reviews cover just about everything including maintenance costs, real-world fuel economy, comfort, performance and more.

The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a small two-seat convertible available in three trim levels: Sport, Club and Grand Touring. Each one is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (181 horsepower, 151 lb-ft of torque) driving the rear wheels through a standard six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic is optional with the Grand Touring trim. Note that there's also the Miata RF, which has a retractable hardtop. It's reviewed separately on Edmunds. Standard feature highlights for the 2023 Miata include: