Mazda MX-5 Review

Mazda MX-5 Review

The third generation Mazda MX-5 went on sale in the UK on the 1st November 2005, sixteen years after the original MX-5 was unveiled at the Chicago Motor Show. Mazda has consistently refined the classic two-seater, rear-wheel drive roadster which entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful open two-seater sports car of all time and Mazda has produced nearly 725,000 of them to date.

Acutely aware of the MX-5's iconic status, Mazda understood the need for the new MX-5 to be instantly recognisable and that it should appeal to customers in Europe, the USA and Japan. The new Mazda MX-5 is larger (20 mm longer, 40 mm wider and 20 mm taller) more athletic and a more complete car than its predecessor. Gone is the 'cola bottle waist' of the previous models offering more hip, shoulder and elbow room.

The new Mazda MX-5 is available with a choice of three petrol engines (1.8i or 2.0i with 5-speed gearbox, 2.0i with 6-speed gearbox). There are four trim levels Standard, Option Pack, Sport and the Special Launch Edition (Mazda has sold out of all 300 of the special launch editions).

Prices start at £15,600 for the Mazda MX-5 1.8i and rise to £18,900 for the Mazda MX-5 2.0i Sport with 6-speed gearbox.

The 1.8i MZR engine delivers the power in a precise manner allowing you to perfectly match each gear change within the correct power band. A 5-speed manual gearbox is standard and with a 0-62 mph time of 9.4 seconds and a top speed of 122 mph - the 1.8i engine has to worked quite hard to explore its potential.

The 2.0 MZR engine is a quicker car with a 0-62 mph time of 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph. Available with a choice of standard 5-speed or optional 6-speed manual gearbox.

Mazda MX-5