The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata returns to the spotlight as one of the most popular roadsters on the world stage. Its legacy began in the late 1980s when Mazda stunned the world by building a sports car that was fun to drive and affordable, a combination that eluded most other manufacturers. The Miata's affordability and simplicity haven't changed over the years, but that isn't to say the car hasn't evolved. Instead, the 2023 MX-5 Miata proves that the legend continues and improves with age.
Still one of the most affordable sports cars money can buy, the 2023 MX-5 Miata starts at $28,050.[a] Yes, for less than $30,000, you can get behind the wheel of the MX-5 Miata Sport, which comes with a manual convertible soft top and an impressive suite of standard features that defy its budget-friendly price tag. You'll find everything from active and passive safety features to connectivity technologies like Apple CarPlay. Of course, there's also no shortage of subtle luxuries and premium details, like the steering wheel-mounted buttons that control the audio, the leather shift knob and parking brake, and the plush seats that offer comfort as the MX-5 Miata hugs every corner with ease.
What else can you expect from the MX-5 Miata lineup in 2023? From the addition of Zircon Sand to the exterior paint palette to the return of the highly acclaimed Kinematic Posture Control technology, the 2023 MX-5 Miata has little trouble living up to its reputation as the world's most engaging roadster. Here's a closer look at the legend and everything it offers drivers looking to satiate their need for fun and speed in 2023.
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Barely weighing over 2,000 lbs, the original Miata turned heads in 1989 and established itself as a lightweight sports car with a penchant for speed. The 2023 MX-5 Miata does something remarkable by remaining true to its lightweight roots. It's a stellar accomplishment in an industry where cars continue to grow in size and weight.
The 2023 MX-5 Miata strikes the perfect balance, weighing only 2,341 lbs with the manual transmission or 2,403 lbs with the automatic transmission. Mazda's interest in keeping the Miata's signature driving style is evident in the roadster's nearly perfect weight distribution, making it feel like an extension of your body. The result is incredible, earning the MX-5 Miata a stellar reputation for its precise steering that enhances your control and reduces fatigue.
The MX-5 Miata's powertrain also has a lot to do with how it handles. This rear-wheel drive roadster comes with Mazda's 2.0L Skyactiv-G four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing and a Skyactiv six-speed manual transmission. The luxury-oriented Grand Touring trim gives drivers a choice between the manual and a quick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
Regardless of the transmission, the Skyactiv powertrain churns out 181 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. This output makes the Miata effortlessly responsive as it delivers immediate off-the-line acceleration. Power and responsiveness are more impressive on the Club and Grand Touring trims, which come with a torque-sensing limited-slip differential when equipped with the manual transmission. The combination enhances the Miata's sporty performance and creates confidence in any condition, whether navigating straightaways or back-to-back curves on winding roads.
As the MX-5 Miata's powertrain delivers exceptional enjoyment, Mazda's Kinematic Posture Control technology works behind the scenes. This suspension technology is exclusive to Mazda and relies on software to automatically improve the MX-5's ride quality and handling to optimize control and reduce driver fatigue. For example, the KPC technology modifies how the brakes are applied when cornering and improves the response of the steering wheel so that you always feel in control.
The MX-5 Miata continues its legacy as one of the most affordable sports cars in the industry. Mazda manages such a feat without compromising the roadster's value. In fact, the automaker does the opposite by adding value across the lineup. The MX-5 Miata Sport is a gateway into everything the roadster offers. As a base trim, it defies the standards of an entry-level roadster with its expansive suite of features and amenities that lays the foundation for the rest of the lineup.
For example, the Sport comes standard with a black soft top and sits on 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Its daytime running lights, LED headlights, and LED tail lights illuminate the road, while the rear glass window with its defogger optimizes your visibility. Inside, the Sport is just as impressive and comes with the standard array of airbags and several of Mazda's i-Activsense driver-assist features, like Lane Departure Warning, Smart City Brake Support, and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. It also has the Mazda Connect infotainment system and smartphone integration via a seven-inch color touchscreen display.
The MX-5 Miata Club differentiates itself as a road warrior with a penchant for speed. The sport-tuned Club rolls off the factory floor with Bilstein dampers, a limited-slip differential, and a front shock tower brace that enhances its handling. You can take this performance to the next level with the Brembo BBS Recaro package, which adds Brembo front brakes with red-painted calipers and exchanges the 17-inch black metallic wheels for BBS forged wheels. This package also replaces the Club's standard black cloth bucket seats with heated Recaro sports seats.
With wireless Apple CarPlay and a Bose nine-speaker premium audio system, the Miata Club sets the stage for the top-tier Grand Touring trim. The Grand Touring lives up to its name by effortlessly blending performance and luxury. For example, the Grand Touring adds Terracotta Nappa leather heated seats for maximum comfort. It also replaces the Club's gloss black accents with body-color features, like heated door mirrors with auto-dim capability for the driver, and adds automatic headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers. As expected, its technology is more advanced, including Traffic Sign Recognition, an Adaptive Front-Lighting System, the Mazda Navigation System, and a three-year trial to SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.
The MX-5 Miata has a reputation for simplicity that lends itself to affordability. However, don't discount Mazda's simple design features for lack of ingenuity. Instead, the MX-5 Miata offers everything expected of a modern roadster and much more.
The 2023 MX-5 Miata's technology includes the full spectrum of connectivity features and safety and driver-assist tools that engineer confidence behind the wheel. The heart of the MX-5's technology is its standard seven-inch color touchscreen display that features the Mazda Connect infotainment system. This expansive display gives you seamless access to your smartphone via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to stream your favorite playlists, respond to messages, make calls, and more. Top-tier trims like the Club and Grand Touring add wireless Apple CarPlay for quicker connectivity.
One of the biggest concerns when driving a roadster like the MX-5 Miata is keeping your focus on the road. Because touchscreen displays can be distracting to use, Mazda resolves the issue by positioning its Multifunction Commander Control knobs near the shifter. This tactile control center lets you navigate the display without losing focus.
Behind the scenes, Mazda's i-Activsense safety technology further enhances your awareness of your surroundings to minimize the potential for collisions. These tools engineer confidence as you navigate the road, delivering the exceptional driving experience expected of a sports car like the MX-5 Miata. The suite includes tools like an Adaptive Front-Lighting System that helps you see around corners by pivoting the lights as you turn the steering wheel. This feature complements High Beam Control, which automatically switches between high and low beams to accommodate traffic.
The Miata's Lane Departure Warning System helps keep the roadster safely in its lane at speeds above 44 mph, while Smart City Brake Support works at slower speeds, between two and 18 mph. This feature constantly looks for vehicles ahead of the Miata, alerting you to potential collisions. It also adjusts the brake pads to improve responsiveness and can apply the brakes automatically if you fail to respond to the alerts. The i-Activsense suite's other tools include Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Traffic Sign Recognition, which displays the speed limit and additional essential information via the Miata's 4.6-inch LCD display.
Have you always dreamt of driving the iconic MX-5 Miata? Rest assured that you aren't alone. The MX-5 Miata is an icon renowned for its lightweight design, nimble handling, and exceptional price tag. It's the perfect roadster for budget-savvy shoppers looking to satiate their need for speed.
You'll find the 2023 MX-5 Miata on our lot at Mazda of Columbia, where we share your passion for this pint-sized sports car. Our excitement for the Miata and the rest of the Mazda lineup is contagious. Moreover, our nontraditional approach to the car-buying experience means no pushy salespeople, gimmicks, or tricks, making it easy to get excited about your purchase without any added stress.
We redefine the customer experience at Mazda of Columbia, which has earned us a stellar reputation in the region. We're also known for our long-term commitment to every customer and the work we do to fulfill our promise to serve you long after the sale. Our state-of-the-art dealership is your Mazda destination and can handle all your automotive needs, from finding the perfect MX-5 Miata to overseeing its routine maintenance and repairs so that it runs its best year after year.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
