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We like the Mazda MX-5 Miata so much that we've crowned it the Best Japanese Sports Car of 2021.
Mazda has sold a whopping 1.1 million Miatas since the cute roadster first appeared on the market in 1989. According to Guinness Book of World Records, no other roadster comes close to those sales numbers. The current model is the fourth generation and has been around since 2015, however, Mazda has been continuously updating and tweaking it to perfection since then.
Mazda's 'Jinba Ittai' ethos, meaning horse and rider as one, combined with the carmaker perfecting the formula over the years, has made the Miata a force to be reckoned with. In fact, it's so good, it seems no other manufacturers dare take it on, leaving the Miata virtually without competition among those looking for a small, fun, naturally aspirated roadster that's easy to own and maintain. Not many cars manage to dominate their segment the way the MX-5 Miata does, so for that reason, plus the fact that we really love the Miata, we've crowned it the HotCars Best Japanese Sports Car Of 2021.
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The Mazda MX-5 Miata didn't become the world's best-selling roadster through dumb luck. It's all down to the formula that Mazda has stuck with ever since they first released the model. A lightweight, open-top car with a manual gearbox, rear-wheel-drive, a naturally aspirated engine, near perfect weight distribution, and ownership costs that can be measured in peanuts. Those are the not-so-secret ingredients that gives it a much broader appeal than more exotic machinery. On the right road, where it can smoothly transition between corners and maintain its momentum, the Miata offers tons of fun while driving within the speed limit.
Mazda has done well not to mess too much with this formula. Sure, the latest model could certainly handle a stiffer suspension and a more powerful, turbocharged engine, but that's not what this car is about. The Miata is a car that just wants to put a smile on the owner's face while traveling at sensible speeds, it's not trying to make them scream while hot-lapping the local racetrack. It’s immensely fun to drive without trying to be the benchmark for handling precision and acceleration times.
This simplicity also means owners don't need to spend time going through a vast selection of driving modes and driver aids. The stability control can be turned on or off through the simple push of a button, and that's really all that's needed. Those who choose to turn it off won't be in for any nasty surprises either, thanks to the Miata being so well-balanced, and it doesn't really have the power to get completely out of control... unless the driver is particularly ham-fisted.
Related: These Are The Coolest Mods For Your Mazda Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata stays true to its roots, so buyers won't find any turbocharged options here, only naturally aspirated 1.5 and 2.0-liter gasoline engines. However, these Mazda ‘Skyactiv’ engines do pack some clever tech.
Since the current-gen Miata's release in 2015, Mazda has tweaked and optimized the engines. In the States, only the range-topping 2.0-liter version with 180 hp is available. That's plenty of power in a car that only weighs 2,332 lbs, and means it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in roughly 6 seconds while revving all the way to 7,500rpm.
All the power is sent to the rear wheels via either a sweet six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters, but true driving enthusiasts should definitely opt for the manual version. It's an absolute pleasure to rev this car all the way to the limit before upshifting, especially since the driver is rewarded with a raspy exhaust note all the way to the redline.
Related: These European Sports Cars Look Fast, But They Can't Even Keep Up With A Miata
Like everything else on the Miata, the interior is simple and pleasurable. Even those who've never sat in one will only spend a couple of minutes to figure out where everything is and how it works. In true sports car fashion, the pedals are perfectly placed, the seating position is low, and in front of the driver there's a large tachometer — more proof that this car really was built for driving enthusiasts.
The one drawback of the Miata is the fact that it's not necessarily a comfortable place to spend time for those who are taller than six feet. Taller people definitely need to go for a test drive to see if they'll be able to spend a substantial amount of time in there, and make sure their forehead won't become a wind buffer when driving around with the roof down.
It's actually surprisingly spacious and practical (provided you're not a giant). The trunk is more than capable of holding the holiday luggage for two people — just use soft bags, not hard suitcases. There are reinforced cup holders, a storage space between the seats that could probably fit a chihuahua, and smartphones can easily be linked up to the infotainment system that features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
Most buyers will opt for the manually-folding soft-top, but there's also an RF model available that features a power-folding Targa hard-top. Obviously, this comes at added cost and offers superior protection from the elements compared to the cheaper and simpler roadster.
The Targa roof is also more complex to operate, as the car can't be going faster than 6 mph, and it takes a whole 13 seconds to open or close. On the roadster, the roof is manual and only requires a swift arm movement to open, which takes no more than a couple of seconds.
In today's parking lots filled with crossovers, SUVs, and full-size trucks, the Miata both looks and feels tiny, perhaps more so than previous generations, but this is all down to other vehicles having grown. Another thing that separates it from its predecessors is the styling, which is now properly aggressive, not cute and innocent. While the inspiration for the MX-5 Miata has always been classic British roadsters from the '60s, no one would claim previous Miatas looked particularly masculine. This latest version, however, looks angry, with lines most would expect to see on European sports cars, like a Jaguar or BMW.
The Miata requires premium 91 octane fuel or higher for optimal performance, but regular 87 octane gas also works. According to Mazda, the manual transmission version of the Miata has a fuel economy of 26 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. Fitted with the automatic transmission, it has an estimated fuel economy of 26 city MPG and 35 MPG on the highway. However, those who have light feet and drive sensibly should have no problems seeing even better real-world fuel consumption than the official figures.
Prices start at $26,830 for the basic Sport trim-level. The $30,290 Club trim probably offers the best balance between cost, performance, and equipment, seeing as it features a limited-slip diff, 17" rims, a nine-speaker Bose sound system, and heated seats. Those with more money to spend might choose to go with the top trim-level RF model that comes in at $35,520.
Andre has built magazine-featured cars and gone on several ridiculous road trips in highly unsuitable vehicles, so what could possibly be a more fitting career move than automotive writing?! He started out as a freelance writer for various car and motorcycle sites and is now an editor and content manager here at HotCars.