The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata is considered to be a dream car by many. From far away, it easily resembles an Aston Martin, with elegant curves and a design that’s ready to face the open road at any time. But how many people know that the MX-5 Miata is actually an inexpensive roadster that’s really fun to drive?
About the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Compared to its predecessors, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata is 200 pounds lighter, and while that doesn’t seem much or too interesting, it’s something that you will notice when you’re ready to test higher speeds. One would argue that light isn’t always better, but the Miata manages to offer modernized equipment despite its “loss”.
It comes with a four-cylinder engine that can get a little too loud at times but the efficiency can’t be questioned. This two-seater sports car is definitely not what you want if specious vehicles are your thing. Taking the MX-5 on a long vacation with that very limited trunk space is also something to reconsider.
Even so, this convertible is a gem for drivers that love a stylish sports car that doesn’t cost nearly as much as some of the other flexing models. Some experts would argue that the only true competitor of the Miata is the Mini Cooper.
Available Models
The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata is available in three trim levels:
- The Sport trim is what you would call your standard Miata. It comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, push-button ignition, cruise control, a six-speaker sound system, air conditioning, LED headlights and taillights, and plenty of other details that make this model perfect as a road companion.
- The Club trim will offer a diversified selection of features depending on the transmission of choice. Drivers that go with the manual option will enjoy features that include a limited-slip differential, a shock-tower brace, and sport-tuned suspension. However, choosing the automatic option means you’re letting all these features go. Regardless of your choice of transmission, you will still get a car with 17-inch wheels and dreamy features for people who are excited to hit the open road in the Miata: voice control, red interior stitching, a Bose audio system, a sport front fascia, a touchscreen interface, and many other features.
- The last trim is Grand Touring, which is considered by many to be an upgraded version of the Club. It includes automatic wipers, leather upholstery, a navigation system, heated car seats, auto-dimming mirrors, adaptive headlights, and more.
The Interior of the MX-5 Miata
There is no doubt about the fact that the Miata is a small vehicle. If you’re looking for family vans, this is not the right choice for you. While the car does provide limited leg space, seating inside the Miata isn’t by any means uncomfortable. If you opt for the Club or Grand Touring trims, you will notice trim panels on the doors, which is an upgrade compared to what Mazda offers in past models.
Driving the Miata is a comfortable experience in itself. As a driver, you will find that all the controls are intelligently scattered around you and easy to reach at all times. Every trim in the series comes with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. Standard trim aside, the other two options come with a touchscreen interface that’s very useful in a variety of situations: from navigating through your favorite road playlists to making sure that you’re always on the right track with the GPS system.
Driving the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Now let’s move on to the most important part of the review: what it feels like to drive the MX-5 Miata. Even if this is a two-seater sports vehicle, the Miata is actually suitable for a wide variety of drivers. The quality suspensions make the driving experience approachable even to those who were strangers to roadsters up until now.
The balanced rear-wheel-drive layout works hand-in-hand with the precise steering and they provide drivers with a streamlined behind-the-wheel experience. Some drivers argue that the Miata is too aggressive when it comes to body roll, the level of driver engagement is arguably one of the best ones considering the type of car we’re discussing.
If there’s one thing you’ll notice when you take the Miata for a test drive is that the 2.0-liter four-cylinder is good for quick acceleration. It is one of the best cars for in-town driving. However, we wouldn’t recommend pushing the convertible benefit to the maximum when it comes to hitting open roads, as this will leave your ears ringing more than it should.
2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Safety
There is always a little bit of skepticism when thinking about the safety a driver feels when driving a small and powerful sports car. However, the MX-5 Miata is no stranger to safety features, as it includes lane departure warning, rear-cross traffic alert, and even a blind-spot monitor. That doesn’t mean that drivers can lay back completely, and the car will safely drive itself, as all safety features in all car models require an understanding of how the mechanism works. Only by knowing the limitations of each feature is one able to control the vehicle safely.
With that being said, the safety of a car also depends on the reliability of the braking system. Several expert tests have revealed that the Miata Club is perfectly capable of stopping from 60 mph in 111 feet. This is a decent result, but mostly longer compared to the expectations experience drivers have from a sports car with summer tires.
Conclusion
The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a best-value vehicle when you look at the combination between the elegance of the design, the robust sport vehicle features, and the packages available with each of the three trim options. Even when you’re not “putting the pedal to the metal”, the Miata is pleasant to drive even at lower speeds. The manual transmission is a pleasure to use, creating an engaging driving experience for people who have always dreamt of having their own sports car.