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10 Best Sedans Under $25,000

2010 Mazda Miata MX-5

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2012 Mazda Miata MX-5

Overview

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2010 Mazda Miata MX-5 Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

The 2010 MX-5 Miata roadster continues to capture the hearts of driving enthusiasts and open-air aficionados everywhere. The lightweight roadster may not be big on horsepower, but its 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution, dynamic suspension and lightning-quick steering make it a blast to drive, while its excellent fuel economy makes it the perfect commuter car. Despite its small proportions, the 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata is easy to live with. The top, for example, can be operated from inside the car with just one arm and, when retracted, collapses into a small well behind the seats, as does the new available power-operated hardtop. As a result, the MX-5 Miata's small trunk is unaffected by the top's position, a claim few other drop-tops can make.

You'll Like This Car If...

If brutal winters make owning a soft-top car a nightmare, the 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata's available retractable hardtop is a dream come true. The MX-5's excellent fuel economy makes it a viable commuter car for those looking to leave their gas-thirsty SUVs at home. Driving enthusiasts and sports car club members love its wonderful handling and overall nimble performance.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're long of leg or over six feet in height, the MX-5 Miata can still present you with a cramped driving position. The MX-5 has a small trunk and does not offer much in the way of interior storage space. If this is going to be your only mode of transport, you're not going to win many friends when it's your turn to drive the co-workers to lunch.

What's New for 2010

No major changes for 2010.

Driving the Miata MX-5

Driving Impressions Unlike the first-generation Miatas, the newest MX-5 demonstrates a noticeable reduction in engine roughness and vibration. Past Miatas would buzz and shudder at idle, but the new MX-5 Miata hums...

as serenely as a happy humming bird. The 2.0-liter pulls strongly and keeps right on giving well past the 55-mph mark. Once in motion, the MX-5 rolls comfortably over smooth pavement and takes dips and bumps with few theatrics. The MX-5's 50/50 front/rear weight balance allows the car to perform remarkably nimble maneuvers that would be more difficult if the car had more of its weight biased to either end. At speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour, the MX-5's windshield creates an air curtain above the driver's and passenger's heads, effectively directing at least moderate levels of rain to the rear of the car.

Favorite Features

Bose Audio
It's tough to get a good sound system in an affordable convertible, but Bose finally pulled it off. With crisp highs and a thumping bass, the Bose system can easily defeat the most deafening wind noise.

Retractable Hardtop Design
The MX-5's hardtop roof adds a mere 77 pounds to the car's weight and can be raised and lowered in just 12 seconds.

2010 Mazda Miata MX-5 Details

Interior

The MX-5 Miata's interior is wider than the first two generation Miatas, offering much-needed improvements in hip and shoulder room. The driver's-side foot well has been widened by running the exhaust down the right side of the transmission tunnel. While good news for the driver, the passenger now has to deal with limited foot and knee space. Fit and finish are excellent, with easy-to-read instruments, steering wheel-mounted controls for audio and cruise control and a perfectly situated shift lever. Bose has created an optional sound system that adjusts equalization settings depending upon whether the top is up or down.

Exterior

The 2010 MX-5 Miata received a mild exterior freshening last year that brought larger headlamps, a new five-point grille and oversized triangular fog lamp bezels. Despite the changes, the familiar Miata DNA is still evident. Unlike the original Miata, however, differences are present. Where the previous generation Miata's doors bow out, the MX-5's are slab sided. Restrained wheel arches have given way to the same pronounced flair that first appeared on the RX-8. The convertible top is easier to use than ever, capable of being operated from the driver's seat with just one arm, while the clever retractable hardtop permits year-round driving without adding significant weight or cost. 16-inch aluminum wheels are standard on the base car, with 17-inch rims offered on the performance models.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport Convertible comes with a five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), 16-inch alloy wheels, glass rear window with defroster, vinyl top, dual power mirrors, power windows, three-spoke tilt steering wheel, cloth bucket seats, mesh windblocker, AM/FM stereo with CD, an auxiliary audio input jack and side-impact airbags. The Touring model adds more standard features such as larger wheels, cruise control and power door locks. The Touring and Grand Touring add a six-speed manual transmission, while the Grand Touring trim adds a cloth (rather than vinyl) top, tan or black leather seats, automatic climate control, heated seats and a Bose audio system.

Optional Equipment

A six-speed automatic with manual shift mode is optional on the Touring, Sport and Grand Touring trims. The Convenience Package offered on the Sport trim adds cruise control, fog lights, keyless entry, power door locks, steering wheel audio controls and a trip computer. The Suspension Package offered on the Touring and Grand Touring adds Bilstein shocks, a limited-slip differential and a sport suspension. Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control, the limited-slip differential, Smart Key, Bluetooth and xenon headlamps can be had by ordering the Premium Package, which is available only on the Grand Touring trim level.

Under the Hood

The MX-5's 2.0-liter engine has plenty of pep and a newfound reserve of low-end torque that allows for quick off-the-line sprints. Both the five- and six-speed manuals provide precise shifts that make quick work of gear changes. The six-speed automatic delivers crisp gear changes designed to maximize every bit of the engine's power. When switched to manual mode, the six-speed automatic performs admirably, though we think you lose some of the gas-and-clutch driver interaction that makes the MX-5 so much fun to drive.

2.0-liter in-line 4
167 horsepower @ 7200 rpm (manual); 158 horsepower @ 6700 rpm (automatic)
140 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/28 (five-speed manual), 21/28 (six-speed manual), 21/28 (automatic)

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2010 Mazda Miata MX-5 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.4

Out of 10

Based on 157 Ratings for the 2006 - 2012 Mazda Miata MX-5 models.

Review this car

Value

9.5/10

Quality

9.5/10
Reliability

9.6/10

Performance

9.5/10
Comfort

8.9/10

Styling

9.5/10

Most fun for the buck, great handling

By Rocketred (CA) on Thursday, May 31, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 25,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Sure nimble handling"

Cons: "Unexciting exhaust note"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"This is my 2nd Miata, replacing my 1990 version after 18 years. Ratained it's essential Miata-ness which is great. Slightly cramped passenger side, great driving position (I'm 5'4") and still one of the most comfortable seats ever for longer trips. The exhaust note is not nearly as good as the 1990 Miata, but that is a small quibble for a great reliable fun to drive car that will put a smile on your face every time you climb into it."

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My second MX-5

By Puremazda (WA) on Monday, March 26, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 55,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "great fun to drive, best bang for your buck"

Cons: "no variable delay wipers, credit card key"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"This is my 2nd MX-5 and I love driving them. The team at Mazda continues to make them better and better. The '06 is the last year for the removable hard top and storing it is a bit of a drag but definatly worth the hassle to have it, especially during the winter months and when commuting longer distances. the only downfalls this model has the lack of a variable delay for the windshield wipers and the credit card remote key. The windshield wipers only have 3 settings; delay, slow and fast. Living in Washington the lack of a variable delay is quite frustrating as we variable moisture in the air. Its difficult to explain. As for the Remote Key. I like the concept of being able to keep your keys in your pocket and still open doors/trunk just by pressing a button on the door/trunk as well as starting the car without having to put a key into the ignition. It works by short range proximity. The downfall to this is they refer to it as a credit card style key and it has the same shape as a triple thick credit card so I bought a wallet that had a slot for a removable credit card/I.D. holder. The key fits perfectly in the slot. Over time the internals of the key have broken due to me sitting on it. To replace this key is over $200. The newer Mazdas do not use this type of key but a fob for your keychain. same concept better execution. All in all I loved driving my 93 MX-5 and I love the redesign, improvements and overall driving experience with the 2006 MX-5."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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