2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata review

1. Thrilling performance and agile handling

Perhaps the biggest selling point of the Mazda MX-5 Miata down the years has been the unbeatable formula of a small, lightweight, two-seater sports car. Unsurprisingly, the 2022 model continues the tradition in style. New for this model year is Kinematic Posture Control, a brake-based torque vectoring system to assist the car on corner entry — improving handling even further. If the standard MX-5 Miata isn't quite exciting enough for you, Club trims upward add performance-based features such as a shock tower brace, a limited-slip differential, and sports-tuned suspension with Bilstein^™ shock absorbers. When it comes to thrills per mile, there are few better than the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata.

2. Standard engine is powerful yet frugal

If you've ever found yourself pining for a full-blown sports car, you've probably thought it might be impractical for your daily lifestyle. Not so with the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Every model comes with a 1.8L four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower, and thanks to that compact body, that's more than enough power to really get the adrenaline pumping when you put your foot down. Better still, you can have all this performance while also achieving an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined and 34 mpg on the highway, which increases to 30 mpg combined and 35 mpg on the highway when paired with the optional six-speed automatic transmission.

3. Convertible roof for effortless open-air driving

There are few more joyous experiences in life than driving a convertible car with the roof down. Enjoying the sunshine and feeling the wind whipping through your hair as you drive along is an amazing experience. The 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata provides that in abundance. It has a manual soft top roof, which can be raised and lowered quickly and easily without requiring a lengthy automatic process. When the sun comes out, you can drop the top and have some fun, but if the weather suddenly turns sour, you won't be caught out.

4. Well-equipped across all trim levels

You might think that a compact sports car might be pretty bare-bones when it comes to features and equipment. But that's absolutely not the case with the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Even on the base Sport model, you still get features like cruise control and an infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen display and Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto^™ integration. Meanwhile, the premium Grand Touring trim offers creature comforts like automatic climate control, leather upholstery, and a navigation system.

5. Driver convenience features included as standard

With such a versatile engine and extensive feature list, the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the kind of sports car you can live with and drive every day. To make daily driving even easier, numerous driver convenience technologies are standard to provide maximum peace of mind even in tight spaces and on busy highways. These include lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.