2009 Mazda MX-5
by Rebecca Antioco-03/2009

The Mazda Miata zoom-zoomed onto the automotive scene in 1990, and exploded in popularity. Now in its third generation and having reached iconic status, the Mazda Miata holds the Guinness World Record as the best-selling sports car of all time. 

When the third-generation Miata debuted, Mazda dropped the “Miata” moniker, renaming it MX-5 to align with the alphanumeric nomenclature used in the rest of the lineup. What didn’t change about the spunky little roadster was its purpose – driving enjoyment. And Mazda actually improved its fun quotient with the redesign.

Now in the fourth year of the newest generation, the MX-5 features few changes. It still sports an open-mouthed grin of a front end, but headlights and taillights change slightly.

It is available in four trim levels: SV, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. A power-retractable hardtop is available in the top three. The Special Edition model, available in 2008, has been dropped for this model year. All are powered by a 2.0-liter, 167-horsepower four-cylinder engine. SV and Sport trims are equipped with a five-speed manual shifter, while the Touring and Grand Touring get a six-speed manual. A six-speed automatic is optional on all but the SV and the hardtop Sport.

The SV is equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, power windows and mirrors, height adjustable driver’s seat, six speaker audio system with CD and a new for 2009 auxiliary input jack. The Sport adds air-conditioning and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Touring model gets 17-inch alloys, cruise control, power locks, keyless entry, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, six-disc CD-changer and a trip computer. Move up to the Grand Touring edition, and you’ll get automatic climate control, heated leather seats, seven-speaker Bose audio system and silver accents.

Inside, the cabin features about 50 cubic feet of passenger room. It is by no means roomy – not even close. At 5-foot-4, I had sufficient head and legroom, but anyone approaching the six-foot range will not be a happy camper. Tall drivers can just scratch the MX-5 from their shopping list of fun cars to own. 

The interior — let’s call it a cockpit — while small, is attractive and well laid out and feels just right for the car. The instrument clusters are straightforward with white numerals and red needles on black-faced gauges. The dash in our tester was a monochromatic finished in shiny piano black graphite with matte silver accents on gauge trim, door handles, the three spoke steering wheel, shift knob and console, air vents and the back of the seat headrest-roll bars.

All controls are simple and easy to use with twist knobs for the audio, heating/air-conditioning systems.  Redundant radio and cruise control buttons are located on the steering wheel. Power window switches are located on the console between the manually operated seats, there are cup holders built into the doors.  We liked the lockable console bin between the seats.

Our Grand Touring model featured the cloth drop top. Folding the roof down couldn’t be simpler. You just unhook the latch above the windshield and fold the top straight back into a folded position behind the headrests, where it automatically snaps into place. The forward section of the Z-fold design forms a hard cover, eliminating the need to stretch a cover in place. The folded top does not intrude into the precious little trunk space.

For an all-weather, all-50-state car, opt for the retractable hardtop, with a base price of $26,060. Compared with the base $22,420 MX-5, that has to be the automotive bargain of the year. 

Miatas are known for excellent gas mileage, precise handling, responsive steering and excellent balance from its perfect 50/50 front to rear weight ratio.  On fast curves the car handles with aplomb when pushed hard, cornering flat, confidently. The ride might be too firm for some drivers as a daily driver, and there is significant road noise, especially at highway speeds.

You still have to shift a lot but that’s the fun of driving a roadster. The six-speed manual is world class with shift throws merely a flick of the wrist.  We can’t imagine anyone opting for the $1100 six-speed automatic. 

Accelerating from zero to 60 takes just over seven seconds. Don’t confuse the MX-5 with a racer’s car. It isn’t. It’s just as happy cruising at 70 as it is darting in and out of city traffic; the MX5 is about top-down joy of driving. It handles like a go-cart and, on the downside, often feels like one driving on SUV and crossover-laden freeways.

Thankfully, side airbags are standard and have been incorporated into the seat backs. Front airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, yaw and traction control are also standard, but stability control is available as an option only on the Grand Touring model. There is no crash test data for the MX-5.

Miata has been the standard bearer for affordably-priced top down fun in a two-seat sports car, and is the superior vehicle in a segment that includes only Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Skye as its true competitors. The Miata, or MX-5, is better than ever with much to like and very few faults.