Over the past decade, I’ve been fortunate enough to drive hundreds of different press cars. Most of them were positive experiences. Several were exceptional in terms of their exterior styling, interior amenities, acceleration, athleticism, or a combination of those traits. A few were life-changing, such as the first Jeep I ever drove off-road. Only one made me into an evangelist: the Mazda MX-5 Miata. If you have yet to experience Mazda’s iconic open-top sports car, I’ll tell you what I’d tell my younger self: Drive one. And now’s a great time to do it because it’s been updated for 2024.
The current, fourth-generation version of the Miata came out as a 2016 model with less weight than the outgoing model (NC), a new design that gracefully balanced tension with curvature, and a more fuel-efficient Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter I4 engine. A retractable-fastback (RF) variant joined the lineup in 2017. The 2019 model year brought an increase of 26 horsepower and three lb-ft of torque. Mazda equipped the 2022 Miata with its roll-fighting Kinematic Posture Control suspension technology.
The 2024 model gets a comprehensive array of cosmetic and functional updates. New headlights, LED daytime running lights, and LED tallights distinguish it from earlier ND Miatas and new wheel designs as well as Aero Gray paint are available.
Inside, there’s a revised high-contrast gauge cluster and additional center console padding. Not only did Mazda increase the size of the infotainment display to 8.8 inches, but they also added Alexa, which can be used hands-free to control certain functions, such as the climate control system, radio, and others. The electric power-assisted steering system is equipped with a updated rack that has less internal friction and new software, which should provide a more defined on-center feeling and greater precision while cornering, according to Mazda.
Those improvements bring higher prices across the 2024 model range. The MSRP for the entry-level MX-5 Miata Sport with a soft top and a six-speed manual gearbox has gone up to $28,985. At the other end of the spectrum is the RF Grand Touring with a six-speed automatic and a starting price of $37,980. The Miata my colleague Luke and I received for this review was a soft-top Grand Touring with the six-speed stick, the $450 Snowflake White Pearl Mica paint, and $300 Tan Nappa leather interior; adding the $1,165 destination, delivery, and handling fee brought the total as-tested price to $36,200.
My ND indoctrination began when I drove a 2016 Miata. I fell in love with its looks and simplicity. I grew more zealous and vocal about the MX-5’s abilities and positive traits after wringing out a 2019 RF on the back roads outside of Austin, Texas. After spending a couple of days and nights behind the wheel of the 2024 model, my love for Mazda’s modern icon became more defined.
Yes, the 2024 Miata may provide modern comfort and convenience features, but it still has a certain rawness to it. For better or worse, your senses are engaged in this car. You can hear the wind roar and the hum of truck tires next to you through the manual soft top. There’s no loss in translation when the suspension communicates the surface of the road to the bottom of the driver’s seat. If the pavement happens to be rough, the steering will also let you know so be sure to have both hands on the wheel to keep it in line. When you pitch the Miata into a curve, the precise moment when the weight subtly shifts to the outside of the bend is quick but tangible.
That purity gives you more from less. You’re so low to the ground and so stimulated by your surroundings and the messages the car is sending you that you feel as if you’re going 10 mph faster than what the speedometer shows. You don’t have to drive the Miata at break-neck speeds to fully enjoy it, but you’ll find yourself wanting to rip into it, spin the engine to redline, and shift through the gears over and over again. When you do, you’ll feel the satisfaction of totally indulging in the Miata’s power and knowing you didn’t leave any of it on the table.
Out of all the cars I’ve driven, none of them have had the clarity and directness of the ND-series Miata. It changed my perspective on cars and vehicle dynamics. Whether you’re a muscle car enthusiast or a sport sedan aficionado, if you’ve never driven a Miata before, you owe it to yourself to take one for a spin.
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