The biggest cockpit improvement deals with the top. While I had become fairly adept at raising or lowering my NC’s top, even while tootling along at idle speed, without so much as taking my eyes off the road, the new top is even easier to open or close. The new top seems to slide forward more than rise up, creating less drag in the wind while moving, and less resistance on the operator’s shoulder. It really couldn’t be simpler, and will hopefully negate the need for a weighty and complex power hard top like the up level NC models had last year.
Competitors: Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S Mustang EcoBoost Convertible Pre-owned BMW Z4 Pre-owned Porsche Boxster Classic British Roadster |
Mazda has added performance, content and of course lightness, yet reduced the cost of the comparably trimmed MX-5 for 2016. This car is not only uniformly better than last year’s model (except for the tiny reduction in trunk size), it is absolutely one of the preeminent and most exciting new cars available today.
The NC generation MX-5 remains the best car I’ve ever owned, but it instantly feels dated and sluggish compared to this new car. And while I get that not everyone can live with a tiny, two-seat roadster for their own daily driver, I can say that if you think you don’t like the new MX-5, it’s simply because you haven’t driven it yet.
2015 MX-5 GS 6-spd PRHT | 2016 MX-5 GS 6-spd | |
Engine | 2.0L DOHC I-4 | 2.0L DOHC I-4 Skyactiv |
Horsepower | 167 @ 7,000 rpm | 155 @ 6,000 rpm |
Torque | 140 @ 5,000 rpm | 148 @ 4,600 rpm |
Length (mm) | 4,032 | 3,914 |
Width (mm) | 1,720 | 1,734.80 |
Height (mm) | 1,255 | 1,240 |
Weight (kg) | 1,182 | 1,058 |
Wheels | 7 x 17″ | 7 x 17″ |
Tires | P205/45WR17 | P205/45WR17 |
Fuel Cons. City | 11.1 | 8.8 |
Fuel Cons. Hwy | 8.4 | 6.9 |
Fuel Cons. Comb. | 9.9 | 7.9 |
Cargo (L) | 150 | 130 |
MSRP $CAD | $36,045 | $35,300 |