By: Uday Mohan
May 20, 2025
Launched in 1989 alongside legendary cars such as the Toyota MR2, Fiat 124, Mercedes SL, and the Triumph Spitfire, one would have wondered if the newly launched Mazda MX-5 would have a chance of making its mark. Fast forward 35 years, and not only is the MX-5 the only car from the list still in production, but it is also the best-selling model when compared to its rivals. This speaks volumes about what the MX-5 is all about.
The MX-5 has been built on a fundamental Japanese philosophy of ‘Jinba Ittai,’ which translates to ‘horse and rider as one.’ This philosophy is a cornerstone of everything the MX-5 stands for and how the driver engages with the car. From the moment you sit inside, you’re reminded that this is a driver’s car. The near-perfect seating position and the way your hand rests on the centre console provide access to the gear selector and other controls. The upper part of the door carrying over the exterior paint scheme and the raised door sills create a sensation of getting into an enclosed bucket—a rarity in cars today.
With a base price starting at $35,100 for the GS model and reaching $45,200 for the RF-GT (without any add-ons), our tester, the top-range MX-5 RF-GT, dressed in Soul Red Metallic Paint (arguably the best red paint in the industry), with the added Grand Sports package, comes in at an as-tested price of $52,590. This price is worth every single dollar spent.
The Grand Sports package includes well-appointed upgrades that enhance the driving experience rather than just being there for aesthetics. Highlights include Brembo front brakes with opposed pistons, Recaro sports seats (adequately bolstered without feeling overly snug), GT-exclusive Terracotta Nappa leather upholstery with grey stitching, and stunning 17-inch BBS rims wrapped in 205/45R17 tyres. Additionally, the car comes with Mazda’s engine sound synchronization system, which delivers engine noise into the vehicle without raising the acoustic pressure unnecessarily. The sound of the transmission whine adds to the experience, something typically only heard in race-prepared cars. However, we feel that adding a package with a cold-air intake and a sportier exhaust could complete the Grand Sports package—perhaps a MazdaSpeed variant?
Weighing in at just under 2,400 lbs, the MX-5, with its naturally aspirated 2.0L Skyactiv-G engine producing 181 horsepower, offers a power-to-weight ratio of 152 hp/ton. Pair this with rear-wheel drive and one of the best six-speed direct-linkage gearboxes, and you’re in for a whole lot of fun. The MX-5 does one thing, and it does it exceptionally well: it puts a smile on your face every time you turn it on. This car has been refined over the last 35 years and continues to improve. Our tester came equipped with DSC-Track, Mazda’s Dynamic Stability Control system, designed for consumers who occasionally take their car on the track. The DSC-Track allows a certain level of slippage and only engages if it detects a hazardous spin that the driver cannot control.
Despite its small footprint, the MX-5 is equipped with all the safety features you’d expect in a modern car. Standard features include Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill Launch Assist (useful in the 6-speed manual), advanced blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning. Additionally, the rear camera, mounted on the bumper (rather than the trunk lid like most cars), provides excellent visibility.
The MX-5 does not overwhelm you with driving modes, suspension adjustments, or shift engagement. Instead, it offers the best mode selectors in the business: your left and right feet. With just those two inputs, you can drive the MX-5 as calmly or spiritedly as you wish. It’s possible to have some lateral fun too, if you catch our ‘drift.’ Despite being a roadster, the MX-5 isn’t barebones—it comes with an upgraded 8.8-inch infotainment system (upgraded from last year), which is simple and easy to navigate using the control knob in the centre console. The system also features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, turning the 8.8-inch display into a touchscreen when connected.
Despite all the fun it encourages, the MX-5 remains a modest consumer of fuel. It provided us with a very respectable 8.0L/100 km fuel efficiency. With a 45-litre fuel tank, you won’t break the bank when you go for a top-up—something that may happen more often as you drive this roadster for every errand. Overall, at this price point, the MX-5 stands as one of the best roadsters available, and with Mazda continually evolving and improving this platform, we’re confident that the MX-5 will be around for another 35 years.
Vehicle Specs
Segment: Roadster
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-Cylinder SkyActiv-G
Horsepower: 181 Horsepower
Torque: 151 pound feet
Fuel Efficiency (City/Highway/Combined): 9.0l/100, 6.0l/100, 8.0l/100
Observed Fuel Economy: 8.L/100km (mixed driving)
Base Price: $45,200
As-Tested Price: $52,590
