Is the Best-Selling 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata a Good Car?
Hannah DeWitt
· 4 min read
CNET
referred to the 2021 Miata as "simply the best." However, they don’t shy away from reviewing the car’s flaws as well as its benefits. Depending on who’s driving, the Miata may be a mixed bag.
2021 Mazda Miata MX-5 specs and features
At its core, the Miata is built for
speed
. The rear-wheel-drive sports car offers a choice between a six-speed automatic or manual transmission, accounting for enthusiasts and everyday drivers. The Miata doesn’t make sacrifices on practicality either, getting an average of 29 mpg overall and a peak of 34 mpg.The 2021 model features a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine that produces 181 horsepower and reaches 7,000 rpm. The 151 lb-ft of torque is accompanied by a limited-slip differential with the Club trim, making the ride agile and speedy.
CNET recommends the Club trim package which gives the Miata an even better feel. In addition to the limited-slip differential, the trim also comes with Bilstein suspension, a front strut bar, Brembo brakes, and 205/45-series Bridgestone Potenza summer tires.
What makes the Miata a good car?
The speed of the Miata isn’t necessarily its best feature—it’s the way the car handles speed that has drawn drivers to it again and again.
Its momentum-style build gives it a smooth handle at high speeds. There’s an excellent clutch paired with a tight gearbox, which makes for swift shifting. This helps keep the speed up and minimizes the need to reaccelerate.
The new 2021 Miata has made several improvements to past models, allowing you to drive on freeways with no fuss. The car’s soft convertible top is more efficient at keeping out distracting road noise, though not perfectly. The Miata is relatively affordable even with its glowing reputation. The MX-5 Sport base model starts at $26,830, and the Club trim costs $30,290.
What might push potential buyers away?
There are logistical problems with the small size of the car that could make buyers hesitate. The height of the car itself could be an issue for taller drivers.
The compact size also doesn’t leave much room for
storage
. The Miata has no glove box, 4.5 cubic feet of trunk space, and only a small vertical storage compartment in the center console.The acceleration leaves something to be desired as well. Its design as a momentum car means it’s less powerful than other modern sports cars. While the Miata can take turns at incredibly high speeds, it needs almost double the time of other cars to hit 60 mph—around six seconds.
The main issue CNET found with the 2021 Miata was the
infotainment system
. The display screen is seven inches wide with a touchscreen option. However, you can only use this when the car is stopped. If you’re moving, you’re forced to use the inconveniently placed rotary selection knob on the center console The Miata has limited driver assistance features, only offering blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Overall, this car is best suited for those who want a fun drive. The smooth handling allows the Miata to fly down the road and shift like a dream. However, if the storage, cabin room, or infotainment system is important to you, there might be better options elsewhere.
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