RE: Mazda MX-5: Review

Wednesday 24th June 2015

Mazda MX-5: Review

New MX-5 won't actually save the world shocker (it is fun to drive though)



Don't get the whole MX-5 thing? This new fourth-gen version isn't the car to overturn your prejudices. It's a bit cramped inside, not especially fast, rides a wave of cutesy Jinba Ittai 'horse and rider as one' propaganda and is liable to provoke evangelical preaching from the converted.

This is fun until you have to overtake someone
This is fun until you have to overtake someone
Working on the idea that if you don't get the whole MX-5 thing you probably wouldn't have clicked the link in the first place, let's assume none of the above is especially problematic...

It's an interesting car this new MX-5. In spirit and fundamental design and engineering it's perhaps the closest to the template set down a quarter of a century ago by the original pop-up headlight NA version. And yet it's also making a deliberate attempt to break out of the (ready the MX-5 bingo card) hairdresser image. At one stroke it's a more aggressive looking car. Yet at another it rejects the industry-wide move to turbocharging, sticking with weedy-sounding normally aspirated motors. This will please the purists but arguably confirm the worst fears of those who've always considered it overhyped and underpowered.

Considering numbers aren't where the MX-5 traditionally impresses let's get them out of the way first. As you probably know by now there are two engines from Mazda's Skyactiv-G (for gasoline) range. These reject the fashion for forced induction and diesel-like torque delivery and instead run unusually high 13:1 compression ratios and insist on nearly 5,000rpm before giving you peak torque. There's a 1.5 derived from that used in the Mazda 2 and 3 with a beefier crank and raised rev limit to deliver 131hp and a 2.0 with 160hp. The 1.5 gives you 111lb ft of torque at 4,800rpm and the 2.0 147lb ft at 4,600rpm. So 1hp and 8lb ft more than the most powerful version of the previous NC MX-5. And this is progress?

Coloured door cappings help sense of Jinba-whatnot
Coloured door cappings help sense of Jinba-whatnot
Weight of expectation
Yes! Because it's 173kg lighter than the NC Roadster Coupe, fabric roofs on the outgoing car confined to 1.8s for the last cars. Power to weight is therefore more revealing. Ready? An original NA 1.6 Eunos is around 127hp/tonne, the outgoing 2.0 NC 136hp/tonne. That's only a fraction better than the new 1.5 while the 2.0 is now 160hp/tonne.

That's a significant stat but you're probably reaching number blindness by now. So as far as dimensions go let's just say it's slightly longer in wheelbase but quite a bit shorter overall, a little wider and a little lower too. New car smaller and lighter than predecessor? Yup!

Let's take a breather from the stats and go for a bit of a drive... Location for this first UK taste of the new MX-5 is a speed restricted Goodwood circuit and the surrounding back roads busy with pre-Festival of Speed traffic. First impression? It's definitely cosy. There's a great story about the Japanese presenting an early model of the original MX-5 to Australian dealers and there being a degree of teeth sucking about how powerfully built Antipodeans were going to fit in it. The response was typically polite and Japanese, paraphrased as 'so sorry, if you're a big man it's not for you'. And so it is with the new one.

It's a much more stylish cabin with a nice mix of traditional - round vents, simple and unadorned wheel, stubby gearlever and the rest - and more modern trappings like the screen emerging from the dash. Quality is night and day better.

The view out is great too; expansive and bordered with those previously discussed peaks in the wings. They look odd proportionally but from the inside draw your eye to an imaginary line drawn upwards from the axis of the steering kingpin, supposedly giving a mental connection between where you look and where you go. Sounds cheesy. Actually kind of works. Likewise the body coloured door cappings that when you drop the manual roof (twist latch, flick back, job done) make a visual link between cabin and exterior.

Less wind in hair, more water down neck
Less wind in hair, more water down neck
We've been here before
Immediately the signals are pure original MX-5. The gearshift has the same 40mm throw (it says in the press pack), the controls are nicely weighted and it feels light, nimble and immediately eager to please. If not very fast.

Maybe the engine is just a little too smooth and refined. Maybe we're just too used to rushes of turbocharged torque from 1,500rpm. But your first impression of the MX-5 isn't likely to blow your socks off in performance terms.

Given that you'd automatically assume the 2.0 is a no-brainer, right? Well it definitely pulls a bit harder. But the 1.5 is revvier, delivering peak power 1,000rpm beyond the 6,000rpm of the 2.0. As a whole it's 25kg lighter too and runs on 16-inch wheels for maximum anti-fashion cred. That the car wears them well without looking like it's on space savers is credit to the work of the styling department.

No turbos means it needs lots of revs
No turbos means it needs lots of revs
Safe to say the skin of your rice pudding (still have that bingo card?) has little to fear from the 1.5 but there is something appealingly old-school about its purity and flicking the little shifter to and fro is a reminder of the innocent pleasures the MX-5 does so well. Just a little more exhaust noise might convince you it's worthwhile doing so though - in the absence of meaningful forward motion the sense of it would go a long way to helping.

Walk the walk
Especially when the price walk from a mid-spec 1.5 SE-L into the 2.0 equivalent is just £850. For which you get the bigger engine, the extra power, 17-inch wheels with 205-section tyres, a limited-slip diff out back and a strut brace up front. You'd find the money, right? Word to the wise though - don't bother with the extra £2,600 for the Sport version. Sure, you get leather seats. But the bulk of the additional kit is made up of arguably pointless gizmos and uprated 'sport' suspension with Bilstein dampers which, while not harsh, is stiff enough to send shudders through the body on bumpy B-roads.

1.5 on 16s - the purist spec option?
1.5 on 16s - the purist spec option?
On the greasy Goodwood track the 2.0 feels a bit on tip-toes too. Like all 'stock' MX-5s it seems to ride too high, a crossover-like gap between top of tyre and wheelarch not doing the looks any favours at all. Just have a gander at the Mazda Global Cup racer if you were in any doubt about what a few millimetres out of the ride height can do.

Like early NC/Mk3s it actually ends up feeling a bit precarious and a little too pointy on turn-in and very eager to snap into oversteer, which is quickly contained by the stability control but nothing like the sweet, throttle adjustable balance you get in well-sorted versions of the older cars. It's not a problem in the dry, where that sense of 50/50 weight balance and classic rear-driven stance is more subtle and enjoyable. But it seems weird for Mazda to crow about this car having the lowest centre of gravity of any MX-5 and then jack it up on oversprung stilts.

Rubber up
With some more sidewall on the 195/50R16 tyres the 1.5 squelches around a bit on the track but feels fundamentally just as balanced and a little more relaxed. On the road it's even better; poised, direct and agile with none of the shudders of the Sport chassis'd 2.0. Both cars are in their element carrying speed rather than building it of course and the harmonious control weights, spot-on driving position and general effervescence all add up to a back-road experience that sums up all that's lovely about an MX-5. Until you have to overtake something. And then you're a bit knackered.

Aftermarket already working on suitable mods
Aftermarket already working on suitable mods
That aside it remains as refreshing an antidote to the power struggles elsewhere in the business as it always was. It's entirely faithful to the original but forward looking and not tied to the past - a tricky thing to pull off. Mazda also deserves a hearty round of applause for bucking prevailing industry trends, sticking by its guns and hitting the safety, quality and emissions expectations of 2015 without compromising on the purity that made the MX-5 such a hit back in 1989. And a volume sales success since.

The pick of the bunch? A 1.5 SE-L has enough toys to keep you sane and a nav-equipped option for another £600 if you can't face using a map or a Tom Tom. Either way it's just below the psychologically important £20K barrier. For just £95 over that you can have the 2.0-litre SE-L though and, with a little help from the aftermarket when it comes, a little more noise and a bit more poise.


MAZDA MX-5 SKYACTIV-G 1.5
Engine:
1,496cc, 4-cyl
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 131@ 7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 111@4,800rpm
0-62mph: 8.3sec 
Top speed:127mph 
Weight: 1,050kg (with 75kg driver) 
MPG: 47.1mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 139g/km
Price: £18,495 (SE), £19,245 (SE-L), £19,845 (SE-L Nav), £21,845 (Sport), £22,445 (Sport Nav)


MAZDA MX-5 SKYACTIV-G 2.0
Engine:
1,998cc, 4-cyl
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 160@ 6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 148@4,600rpm
0-62mph: 7.3sec 
Top speed: 133mph 
Weight: 1,075kg (with 75kg driver) 
MPG: 40.9mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 161g/km
Price: £20,095 (SE-L), £20,695 (SE-L Nav), £22,695 (Sport), £23,295 (Sport Nav)









Author
Discussion

macdeb

Original Poster:

8,492 posts

254 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
Cute enough, but those headlights look awful. Sort of like someone squinting to read something when they should put their glasses on.

GTEYE

2,092 posts

209 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
Still not convinced by the looks of the new MX-5, might be better once seen in the metal.

Admirable for what they were trying to achieve, but in 2015, it might be a tough sell against say something like a Fiesta ST - that offers more performance, more practicality and less money.

Unless you really had to have a RWD roadster, in which case, MX-5 it is.

sunsurfer

305 posts

180 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
New car smaller and lighter than predecessor? Yup!

Amazing and incredible value for money. Makes a lot of other fast cars look like the corpulent corporate barges they are.

Charlie Michael

2,750 posts

183 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
GTEYE said:
Still not convinced by the looks of the new MX-5, might be better once seen in the metal.

Admirable for what they were trying to achieve, but in 2015, it might be a tough sell against say something like a Fiesta ST - that offers more performance, more practicality and less money.

Unless you really had to have a RWD roadster, in which case, MX-5 it is.
I get what you're saying but to my mind (and i'm biased here), if you're in the market for an MX-5 - you're not in the market for a Fiesta. One is a hatchback and the other is a roadster. Very different cars for different buyers.

Trying to find another new 2-seater for similar money is the tricky part.

SmilerFTM

829 posts

149 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
GTEYE said:
Still not convinced by the looks of the new MX-5, might be better once seen in the metal.

Admirable for what they were trying to achieve, but in 2015, it might be a tough sell against say something like a Fiesta ST - that offers more performance, more practicality and less money.

Unless you really had to have a RWD roadster, in which case, MX-5 it is.
I've never thought that it's a competitor for a hot hatch, the only competitor it's really ever had was the MG F. This will still sell as it has previously for that reason alone

Sampaio

377 posts

137 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
GTEYE said:
Still not convinced by the looks of the new MX-5, might be better once seen in the metal.

Admirable for what they were trying to achieve, but in 2015, it might be a tough sell against say something like a Fiesta ST - that offers more performance, more practicality and less money.

Unless you really had to have a RWD roadster, in which case, MX-5 it is.
You're comparing this to a Ford Fiesta ST? A econobox with a turbo versus a rear-wheel drive roadster?

This review is complaining about the MX-5 not having a turbo and generally not being a monster in over-takes. Excellent, because that's not what this car has ever been. If it means the rest of it is good then Mazda has hit the spot with this new generation.

tr7v8

7,186 posts

227 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
Very tempted by an MX5, not sure about buying a new one or whether I want a Mk1 & a trailer for weekend comp. Or a late Mk3 to completely replace the Boxster.

Jordan210

4,503 posts

182 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
Mazda are offering 0% from launch what might sway a few people !

GTEYE

2,092 posts

209 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
Charlie Michael said:
GTEYE said:
Still not convinced by the looks of the new MX-5, might be better once seen in the metal.

Admirable for what they were trying to achieve, but in 2015, it might be a tough sell against say something like a Fiesta ST - that offers more performance, more practicality and less money.

Unless you really had to have a RWD roadster, in which case, MX-5 it is.
I get what you're saying but to my mind (and i'm biased here), if you're in the market for an MX-5 - you're not in the market for a Fiesta. One is a hatchback and the other is a roadster. Very different cars for different buyers.

Trying to find another new 2-seater for similar money is the tricky part.
That's exactly the point, there are no direct rivals for the MX-5 any more. But for a performance car around or under £20k, the hot hatches are quite possibly the competition.

Presumably many manufacturers must think the same, as for all of the ridiculous niche vehicles available, all except Mazda have ditched this sector. Why is this?

GTEYE

2,092 posts

209 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
Sampaio said:
GTEYE said:
Still not convinced by the looks of the new MX-5, might be better once seen in the metal.

Admirable for what they were trying to achieve, but in 2015, it might be a tough sell against say something like a Fiesta ST - that offers more performance, more practicality and less money.

Unless you really had to have a RWD roadster, in which case, MX-5 it is.
You're comparing this to a Ford Fiesta ST? A econobox with a turbo versus a rear-wheel drive roadster?
Why not? Both sporty cars, both sub £20k. If you were looking at a Fiesta ST, but didn't need the space, why not look at the Mazda?

Pistom

4,916 posts

158 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
Wow, that looks like a £30K car. Love the new headlamp treatment.

I won't buy one as it isn't my kind of car but thumbs up to anyone who does.


marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
I've won a day with Mazda at the 'Moving Motorshow' on Thursday, so I get to try the new MX5 up the hill.

I've never actually driven one before (that I recall anyway), so it'll be interesting to see how it feels.

M.

Charlie Michael

2,750 posts

183 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
GTEYE said:
That's exactly the point, there are no direct rivals for the MX-5 any more. But for a performance car around or under £20k, the hot hatches are quite possibly the competition.

Presumably many manufacturers must think the same, as for all of the ridiculous niche vehicles available, all except Mazda have ditched this sector. Why is this?
This is where I believe that Honda could come back with a S2000 replacement to spice up the "starter-roadster" market!

Or another manufacturer could come in and design a new vehicle to rival this. It seems to me that in an industry with thousands of niches and sub-niches, the cheaper end of the roadster format is quite sparse.

I have a NC MX-5 and I can assure you that at the time of buying, I didn't consider any hot-hatches (having come from a Golf GTI).

SturdyHSV

10,083 posts

166 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
Charlie Michael said:
This is where I believe that Honda could come back with a S2000 replacement to spice up the "starter-roadster" market!

Or another manufacturer could come in and design a new vehicle to rival this. It seems to me that in an industry with thousands of niches and sub-niches, the cheaper end of the roadster format is quite sparse.
Or a new Alfa spider... cloud9

GTEYE

2,092 posts

209 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
Charlie Michael said:
GTEYE said:
That's exactly the point, there are no direct rivals for the MX-5 any more. But for a performance car around or under £20k, the hot hatches are quite possibly the competition.

Presumably many manufacturers must think the same, as for all of the ridiculous niche vehicles available, all except Mazda have ditched this sector. Why is this?
This is where I believe that Honda could come back with a S2000 replacement to spice up the "starter-roadster" market!

Or another manufacturer could come in and design a new vehicle to rival this. It seems to me that in an industry with thousands of niches and sub-niches, the cheaper end of the roadster format is quite sparse.

I have a NC MX-5 and I can assure you that at the time of buying, I didn't consider any hot-hatches (having come from a Golf GTI).
Funnily enough, I also had an NC MX-5 some years back, which also replaced a Golf GTI...

I guess the volumes are quite low these days, but would be great to see some rivals - although we do have the Fiat version of the MX-5 to look forward to

Charlie Michael

2,750 posts

183 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
SturdyHSV said:
Charlie Michael said:
This is where I believe that Honda could come back with a S2000 replacement to spice up the "starter-roadster" market!

Or another manufacturer could come in and design a new vehicle to rival this. It seems to me that in an industry with thousands of niches and sub-niches, the cheaper end of the roadster format is quite sparse.
Or a new Alfa spider... cloud9
Oh, now that would be something! bounce

GTEYE said:
Funnily enough, I also had an NC MX-5 some years back, which also replaced a Golf GTI...

I guess the volumes are quite low these days, but would be great to see some rivals - although we do have the Fiat version of the MX-5 to look forward to
Fingers crossed when I take my car in for its service later in the year, I can have an ND as a courtesy car. scratchchin

The Hypno-Toad

12,249 posts

204 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
Jordan210 said:
Mazda are offering 0% from launch what might sway a few people !
Only with a 50% deposit on HP but 0% is always helpful!

SteveSteveson

3,209 posts

162 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
GTEYE said:
That's exactly the point, there are no direct rivals for the MX-5 any more. But for a performance car around or under £20k, the hot hatches are quite possibly the competition.

Presumably many manufacturers must think the same, as for all of the ridiculous niche vehicles available, all except Mazda have ditched this sector. Why is this?
No idea why, but if the Mk3 didn't sell they would not be making the Mk4. It's not like they are taking a punt on a new sector. To be honest it seems every 2 seat roadster sits in its own niche. Very few people are torn between a Boxter and a Z4 or an SLK and an F-Type. They all have very clear buyers in the market.

I would guess that there will ever very few people choosing between a Fiesta ST and an MX5. One simple reason, RWD and a soft top is an emotional choice much more than a logical one. If you want a sports car like that a hot hatch, however capable, will never do. And a Fiesta ST may have more power but you will never have the joy of a drive with the roof down on a day like today.

I know two people who have orders MK4s. They didn't even look at anything else.

Edited by SteveSteveson on Tuesday 23 June 16:06

Mr_Sukebe

374 posts

207 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
To me, looks fabulous.

I owned an NB and was thoroughly unimpressed with the NC, which seemed to bring pretty much nothing new/positive to the table, but IMO looked worse from the outside and had a whole bunch of interior bits that felt like they were made from kelloggs grade plastics (e.g. the sunvisors).

Just hope that the ND sells by the bucketload. It clearly is in a class of it's own, being MUCH cheaper than the opposition. No wonder BMW has canned their proposed Z2.

As for old opposition, my view was always that it included:
- MR2
- MGF
- Barchetta

daytona365

1,773 posts

163 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
quotequote all
It's nice like a cup of tea is nice, though 160bhp to ton isn't half bad for something like this.