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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie Car2023 Mazda Miata: Fun Sized
What do our experts think of the 2023 Mazda Miata? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s new for the 2023 Mazda Miata?
As part of the fourth generation of the Miata, the 2023 model comes with three trim levels and a single engine to rule them all.
The 2023 Mazda Miata is one of the most engaging cars on the market. Buyers can choose from a manual or automatic gearbox and between a hard or a soft top. Every Miata comes with a 7-inch infotainment system, forward collision mitigation, and lane-departure warning.
Mazda offers the 2023 version of the Miata with exactly the same content as the 2022 version save for one new option, Zircon Sand paint.
2023 Mazda Miata – news.mazdausa.com | Shop 2023 Mazda Miata on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Outstanding driving dynamics
Pretty fuel efficient
Fun dialed to 10
Not much cargo space
Cramped interior
We’d love a turbocharged engine
Another excellent Miata
2023 Miata Specs
- 181 horsepower from base engine
- 151 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 4.6 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- Intuitive infotainment controls
- Automatic emergency braking
- 3-year limited warranty
2023 Mazda Miata Powertrain
Some cars are defined in large part due to their engine and that’s the case here. No, it’s not that the Miata packs some wild Hellcat-trumping V8 or a twin-turbo V6 but all the same, its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is memorable. It develops just 181 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque but it revs to 7,000 RPM and sends all of that power to the rear wheels only.
Those power figures might be meager, the Miata only has to carry around a curb weight of 2,341 pounds which is roughly 500 pounds lighter than its nearest competitor.
Due to that combination of a rev-happy engine and a light curb weight, one that the MX-5 is famous for, it’s delightfully engaging from behind the wheel. Steering and pedal feedback is way above the average for cars these days and the handling is quick and accurate. A six-speed manual transmission is standard but an automatic is available on the top trim. In our eyes, Mazda needs more Miata DNA in the rest of its lineup.
2023 Mazda Miata Fuel Economy & MPG
According to the EPA, the Miata gets up to 26 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway. That’s with an automatic transmission though going for the six-speed only drops highway economy by one. By comparison, neither the GR86 nor the BRZ can come anywhere close to those figures.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Of all the brand-new cars available on the market, none at this price point feels quite like the Miata in terms of cabin feel. It’s pretty tight but in most of the right ways. Taller folks will absolutely feel a little kinked but for those that find a suitable driving position, the payoff is worth it.
The materials are simple but elegant and the layout is clean and focused. We especially like the close positioning of the steering wheel and gear lever along with the prominent tachometer in the gauge cluster.
Where the Miata starts to lag behind its competitors is in terms of practicality. Unlike the Toyota GR86 and the Subaru BRZ, there’s no back seat, and cargo space isn’t exactly plentiful either. Thankfully, for a pair that packs light, there’s just enough room in the trunk for a weekend’s worth of stuff. Interestingly, the hard-top and soft-top versions of the Miata share the same trunk space.
Entertainment & Technology
For years, Mazda resisted putting a touchscreen infotainment system in its cars. Now, those days are gone but the brand has still benefited from that attitude. Every Miata comes with a 7-inch widescreen touchscreen infotainment system but it’s complemented by a simple but powerful array of physical controls in the center console.
Comprised of a control knob and five buttons, the interface makes controlling the infotainment system a breeze without the need to constantly hope that your finger managed to hit just the right spot on the touchscreen. The sound system is very powerful for such a tiny car and boasts clear tone and pitch.
Safety Features
Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA has released any safety data surrounding the MX-5 Miata. That being said, we do know that it comes with a very basic package of safety equipment. That includes automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning.
Considering how far safety equipment has come, we’d love to see Mazda offer more advanced features like lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist in the future.
2023 Mazda Miata Trims & Pricing
The MX-5 Miata comes in three trim levels but only the top two are available with a retractable hard top. Mazda calls them RF models and they command a $2,700 premium on the Grand Touring model and a $7,400 price bump on the Club model.
Sport – $29,215
The soft-top-only MX-5 trim starts out with 16-inch wheels, LED headlights, LED tail lights, keyless entry, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 7-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, six speakers, two USB ports, forward collision mitigation, blind-spot warning, and lane-departure warning.
Club – $33,310
MX-5 Club models get 17-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shocks, a shock tower brace, a limited-slip differential, black lip spoilers, gray contrast-color seat stitching, heated seats, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, satellite radio, and nine speakers. Buyers who opt for the Brembo/BBS Recaro package also get an aerodynamic body kit, Brembo front brakes, dark 17-inch BBS wheels, and heated Recaro sport seats. On the RF version, the Brembo/BBS Recaro package comes standard.
Grand Touring – $34,215
The Grand Touring model loses the hardcore performance parts of the aforementioned package but instead gets automatic adaptive headlights, heated side mirrors, automatic climate control, leather upholstery, integrated navigation, and road-side assistance.
Warranties
Mazda offers the Miata with a three-year or 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. That matches the Subaru BRZ and the Toyota GR86. Notably, Toyota customers get two years or 24,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.
What we think
2023 Mazda Miata – news.mazdausa.com | Shop 2023 Mazda Miata on Carsforsale.com
The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata proves that keeping weight low can be a recipe for success. No, it’s not a wildly practical car but it’s incredibly engaging and fun to drive. For those specifically looking for a drop-top sports car, we highly recommend checking out the Miata and our article on new car incentives. There are other options out there but all of them either cost more or require you to put up with a heavier car that won’t react quite as nicely as the MX-5.
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