Mazda MX-5: two critics, one car

Dani and Dave examine the Mazda MX-5, a perfect roadster for sunny weekend drives.

The Mazda MX-5 is a modern classic. Few cars channel the spirit of retro sports cars like Mazda’s quintessential roadster.

Dave: This is a different sort of car. Every car has a job to do – get you to work, get the kids to school, get a load of topsoil for the garden or get the caravan up the coast. The MX-5’s job is to get you to forget about day-to-day troubles, relax, and enjoy the drive.

Dani: From the moment I sat behind the wheel of the MX-5, I felt a shift in my mindset, as if I took on a new persona. Suddenly, I wanted to unwind at a picturesque winery, or take a winding road to nowhere just to catch the sunset. It’s special.

Mazda’s MX-5 is a modern classic.

Dave: It sure is. I agree that this is a car to indulge in driving fantasies, whether that’s a decadent coastal route or an indulgent track session. Then again, it’s also car that makes every drive a little more special. You can feel the love that its engineers have poured into every control response – the light and tactile steering, those perfectly calibrated pedals, and that wonderful manual gear change. You don’t need to be in the perfect environment to enjoy an MX-5.

The MX-5’s cabin is a compact, driver-focused space.

Dani: Manual transmissions may be something of the past, but the gearbox in this roadster makes you want to savour every moment on the road. It really is a car that brings the joy of driving back into the spotlight.

The Mazda is lovely to drive, with a simple 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that makes 135kW and 205 Nm. Weighing a little more than one tonne, it grips corners with confidence.

The MX-5 is a cracker to drive.

Dave: That lack of weight is key to the MX-5’s appeal. It lends an immediacy to its controls that’s hard to find outside the world of motorcycles – as though the car grants your wishes, rather than responding to hands and feet. The engine is adequate rather than thrilling, though those in the know understand that more power might ruin the experience – a bit like pouring sticky barbecue sauce on finely balanced sashimi. The same goes for grip – step beyond the available traction (in controlled circumstances of course) and you’ll find a delightful dance partner that would be spoiled by fat tyres and hard suspension, More isn’t always better.

Dani: That approach flows through to its design – you couldn’t call it over-styled. The MX-5’s looks are undeniably appealing, with its sleek lines and classic silhouette. 

Inside, the reductive approach continues with a simple interior with tactile buttons instead of an overly complicated touchscreen. It’s what driving should be.

Few cars thrill like the MX-5.

Dave: It’s certainly what driving used to be about.

I love that buttons have become a “classic” touch, though you could also argue they are dated.

Painted interior elements are a stroke of genius that continue the convertible theme by bringing you closer to the outside world.

That said, there’s not much room for plus-sized, six-foot-tall punters and the boot is rather small. It’s not my idea of a daily driver.

Dani: I feel like there is plenty of space for a small to average size drivers but for shorter drivers like myself, the heated seats are a slight drawback – they’re so low that it can be hard to see out of the car.

And the manual soft top, while charmingly old-school, can be a bit of a chore — especially if you’re used to the convenience of a button. 

But even with these minor issues, the MX-5’s ability to make you feel so connected to the drive, and even to yourself, is something special.

As a weekend car or an affordable convertible, it’s a tough car to beat.

Originally published as Mazda MX-5: two critics, one car