Introduction

Perhaps it’s just us, but we can’t help but be excited when a new Mazda MX-5 is announced. So important is this sports car for the people – it is a sales record-breaker after all – it’s rather like welcoming a new friend to the fold. But, on the flip-side, it also puts huge pressure on Mazda to make sure it lives up to the reputation of its forebears.

So, what’s new? Well, everything from the tyres up, with the biggest change being its size and weight. Fans were worried the MX-5 was getting fat, so this fourth-gen version is the smallest and lightest since the original, with the entry-level version weighing less than a tonne. So, does this equal more fun? Let’s find out…

Long considered the height of affordable top-down driving, the MX-5 has become an institution for open-top sports car lovers with a limited budget.

The majority of alternatives, including the BMW Z4 and Mercedes SLK, fall into a notably higher price bracket. These days, its most like-for-like competitor may well be the MINI Roadster, due to a similar price point.

The soft-top iteration costs £18,495, but we tested the pricier Roadster Coupe – the hard-top version of this popular model – which costs a chunk more at £19,995.

Performance

There are only two petrol engines to choose from in the range: a 1.8-litre 124bhp unit or a 2.0-litre 158bhp unit. We tested the latter and most powerful, which hits 62mph in 7.9 seconds with a top speed of 131mph.

That’s a fairly middling speed given the lightweight nature of the car. It’s perfectly capable of holding its own, but feels far from pokey at getaway, with the most torque available higher up the rev range.

Still, given its slenderness, there’s an early sense of injustice that the throttle doesn’t respond more readily when moving off. But the more you drive this car, the more you realise it’s about fun driving, rather than being the fastest roadster on the block.

The roughly equivalent MINI Roadster Cooper S achieves the same sprint in seven seconds, maxing out at 141mph.

Ride and Handling

The steering is heavier than the majority of today’s cars, but is refreshingly sensitive and communicative.

What the MX-5 Roadster Coupe lacks in pace, it makes up for in agility. Its lightweight nature alongside rear-wheel-drive makes this a great car to chuck around bends, where it demonstrates excellent grip. The steering is heavier than the majority of today’s cars, but is refreshingly sensitive and communicative, making the handling even sharper. Refinement with the roof down is decent, with the restricted seats cutting out the majority of draught. But with the roof up, there’s a noticeable amount of wind noise and the engine is intrusively grunty. In many ways, the car’s driving dynamics suggest that the ride would be uncomfortable, but we were pleasantly surprised on this front. While it is firm, it’s also spongy, meaning it soaks up speed bumps far more leisurely than predicted.

Interior and Equipment

Although the Mazda MX-5 has been around since 1989, it is only currently in its third-generation, with its new fourth-generation arriving in 2015.

The MX-5’s age really shows in the interior, with cheap plastics and an antiquated infotainment system. It’s a touchscreen, but is temperamental to react. To give it its dues, once it does, the sat-nav is more efficient in its directions than many newer systems. Standard kit on every model includes a CD player, electric windows and side airbags. Our top spec Sport Tech Nav includes Bluetooth, cruise control, heated seats and plenty of other heating to enjoy the open air as much as possible. When the sun shines, the automatic roof retracts in an impressive 12 seconds, by holding down a button on the dash. It’s a two-seater roadster coupe, so buyers should never expect much practicality. There’s a decent amount of room for the two occupants and plenty of cubby holes in the cabin for knick-knacks, but boot space is limited. At 150 litres, it loses out to the MINI Roadster which has 240 litres. Still, there’s more space than you might expect – enough for a couple of weekend bags or shopping – but its top-loading nature and awkward shape is the biggest barrier for ease of use.

Cost

The soft-top MX-5 will remain the iteration of choice for most, thanks to its lower price point.

The 2.0-litre petrol powertrain of an ageing MX-5 was never going to be particularly wallet-friendly, with CO2 emissions of 181g/km and claimed fuel economy of 36.2mpg. That’s compared to 154g/km and 42.8mpg for the newer MINI. Our top-of-the-range model is also more expensive than the MINI Roadster, although the price of the latter will inevitably stack up with some options already found on the MX-5. The soft-top MX-5 will remain the iteration of choice for most, thanks to its lower price point.

Our Verdict

The Mazda MX-5 remains the fun-loving relevant car it has always been, maintaining its appeal against newer rivals, despite its agedness. It definitely lives up to its exciting and affordable reputation and will serve those well who want a car to take around winding country roads for the weekend. The arrival of the new MX-5 in 2015 should address interior quality and running costs, and is set to further cement the model in automotive history.