Having outlived its primary rivals, the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata continues its mission of bringing open-air fun to anyone who can afford the roughly $30,000 entry fee. The nimble MX-5 is a blast to toss around, with just enough power under the hood to make the journey worthwhile.
The MX-5 is an amazingly easy car to live with, provided you’re no taller than 6 feet and don’t need a back seat or a roomy trunk. For those willing to give up a little headroom, the MX-5 Miata RF swaps the easy-to-operate soft top for an even easier-to-operate retractable hardtop, providing more security and a quieter cabin.
The soft top has three trims: Sport, Club, and Grand Touring. The RF hardtop has only the Club (with the Brembo Package) and Grand Touring trims. Powering every model is an 181-horsepower 2.0-liter engine paired with a 6-speed manual or, on the Grand Touring trim and only the Grand Touring trim, an available 6-speed automatic.
In this price range, only the Mini Cooper Convertible comes close to being a viable alternative, although it does have a backseat, so not a true roadster. The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ are fun, affordable 2-seaters, but they’re not available as convertibles. Spend a lot more money, and you can plant yourself in a BMW Z4 or Porsche 718 Boxster.
Let’s take a quick look at what each trim offers and see which works best for you.
What’s New:
For 2024, Mazda makes some minor exterior changes, adding LED headlights and taillights, new wheels, and a few new colors. The cabin receives more padding on the center console, easier-to-read instrument cluster graphics, and a new 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen hosting the latest Mazda Connect technology and touchscreen operation for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Mechanical changes include a revised steering rack and a new “asymmetrical” limited-slip differential and track mode for the Club and Grand Touring trims.
Our Recommendation:
The Club is the model that best suits enthusiast drivers, especially when equipped with the Brembo BBS Recaro Package. The Grand Touring is the only option for those who don’t want to shift for themselves.
The RF’s hard top makes it a better year-round driver and gives the MX-5 a unique look, but it comes at the cost of headroom and trunk space.
These are the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) and include the $1,165 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge). Prices are current at the time of publishing.
MX-5 Sport
Starts at $30,150 | See listings
- 6-speed manual transmission
- Blind-spot monitor
- Side-impact airbags
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Convertible soft top with glass rear window
- Advanced Key keyless entry
- Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
- 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- See more
MX-5 Club
Starts at $33,650 | See listings
- 17-inch black alloy wheels
- Sport suspension
- Limited-slip differential
- Shock tower brace
- Bilstein shocks
- Track Mode
- Heated seats
- Bose audio
- See more
MX-5 Grand Touring
Starts at $35,450 | See listings
- Hardtop RF
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Heated side mirrors w/auto-dimming driver’s side
- Automatic climate control
- Leather seats
- Navigation
- Adaptive headlights
- Automatic high-beams
- Available automatic transmission
- See more
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport: $30,150
For the purists who need only an open sky, a manual shifter in hand, and few creature comforts, the Sport trim awaits. Offered only with the soft-top and 6-speed manual transmission, the Sport is the most affordable way to get behind the wheel of a 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Given its diminutive size and soft top, one might conclude the MX-5 is too small for advanced safety features, but that’s not the case. Standard systems include forward collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera.
Front- and side-impact airbags come standard, as does a tire pressure monitor.
The Sport rolls in on 16-inch black alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance tires. Exterior features include new LED headlights and taillights, a glass rear window with a defroster, variable intermittent wipers, power mirrors, and dual exhaust outlets.
Mazda’s Advanced Keyless Entry allows unlocking/locking the doors and starting the car without removing the key fob from your purse or pocket.
The MX-5 cabin sports manual cloth bucket seats with driver’s seat tilt adjustment, a leather-wrapped shift knob and parking brake lever, a mesh wind blocker, and a leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio, Bluetooth, and cruise control.
Amenities include power door locks, power windows with one-touch down, air conditioning, a push-button starter, remote trunk release, and a locking center console.
The MX-5’s Mazda Connect infotainment setup uses an 8.8-inch color touchscreen with a console-mounted rotary controller that operates most of the system’s features. You can also speak specific commands. The bundle includes a 6-speaker AM/FM/HD Radio tuner (includes driver’s side headrest speakers), touchscreen-activated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, two USB-C audio input ports, and one auxiliary input jack.
Mazda Connect also includes apps for Pandora, Stitcher, and emergency services.
There are no factory options for the Sport but numerous dealer accessories, including a plug-in SD card that adds instant GPS navigation.
On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport monthly payment comes to $569. See 2024 Mazda MX-5 Sport models for sale near you
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport includes:
6-speed manual transmission — The MX-5’s 6-speed manual is one of the best in the business, offering quick, precise shifts accomplished with little more than a flick of the wrist.
LED headlights — These provide bright white light for improved nighttime vision.
Emergency braking — Despite its manual transmission, the MX-5 still accommodates automatic emergency braking.
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club: $33,650, MX-5 Miata RF Club: $41,375
The Club adds a few more features we think most buyers will appreciate, although an automatic transmission option is not one of them.
On the performance front, the Sport gains a front shock tower brace, a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shocks, an induction sound enhancer, a new asymmetrical limited-slip differential, and 17-inch black alloy wheels.
New for 2024 is Track Mode added to the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) program. Designed for those who love taking their MX-5 to the track, this option raises the threshold for intervention by the stability and traction control programs.
Exterior enhancements include a black rear spoiler, a black front air dam, and a trunk-mounted shark-fin antenna.
The Club’s interior gains 3-setting heated front seats, piano black accents, and a 9-speaker Bose audio system.
Mazda has upgraded the infotainment system, adding features like SiriusXM satellite radio and wireless Apple CarPlay.
The Club RF includes the same equipment but adds a retractable targa top that stows beneath a flying buttress-style fastback roof.
The Brembo BBS Recaro Package (offered exclusively on the Club) adds Brembo front brakes with red-painted front and rear calipers, 17-inch BBS forged alloy wheels, side sill extensions, a rear bumper skirt, and heated Recaro sport seats. This package is optional on the Club convertible ($4,800) and standard on the Club RF.
On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club monthly payment comes to $635, while the RF Club comes to $781. See 2024 Mazda MX-5 Club models for sale near you
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club includes:
Bilstein shock absorbers — The Club’s sport-tuned suspension includes Bilstein dampers that stiffen the ride and improve high-speed cornering.
Heated seats — There’s nothing better than driving on a brisk day with the top down and the seat heater helping to keep you warm.
Bose audio — Top-down driving demands a powerful audio system to overcome wind noise. Music devotees will love the 9-speaker Bose sound system, which includes a powered subwoofer.
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring: $35,450, Grand Touring RF: $38,175
The Grand Touring is the most opulent MX-5 and the only one to offer a 6-speed automatic transmission ($920).
Like the Club, the Grand Touring comes as a soft-top convertible or retractable hardtop RF.
Adding to the Club’s equipment, the Grand Touring features 17-inch silver alloy wheels, heated side mirrors with driver’s side auto-dimming mirror, and door sill plates. It loses the black front air dam and rear lip spoiler.
The Grand Touring cockpit gains automatic climate control, leather seats, a cloth lining for the soft top, navigation, and a 3-year complimentary subscription to SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.
Additional safety systems include adaptive LED headlights, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition.
Optional on Grand Touring models wearing Snowflake White or Aero Gray ($450) is supple Nappa leather upholstery in Tan ($300).
On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring monthly payment comes to $669 while the Grand Touring RF comes to $720. See 2024 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring models for sale near you
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring includes:
Automatic high beams — The Grand Touring’s high beams automatically activate in low-light situations and dim themselves when sensing oncoming vehicles.
Leather seats — Rich to the touch, the Grand Touring’s leather seats look particularly handsome in available Terra Cotta.
Available 6-speed automatic — Why should manual drivers have all the fun? The Grand Touring’s available automatic transmission lets everyone come along for the ride.
