2016 Mazda MX-5 – Test Drive, Specs, Review, Pricing

The All New Fourth Generation MX-5 Retains its Sex Drive

It’s incredibly easy to ruin a great design when handing over its drawings for an overhaul. Fortunately, the all new fourth generation Mazda Miata is not the case. Rather, its mechanical blueprint is refined, its cosmetic looks modernized and most importantly, the lust for that true bio-mechanical feel is retained.

Mazda certainly made all the right decisions in what stays and what goes. What’s changed is its powertrain is revamped with the latest and greatest SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY with direct-injection technology, engine placement is located closer to its center, various chassis elements reinforced with aluminum, and its soft-top lightened.

Perhaps a trademark feature to be missed is the only-available soft-top in favor for reduced weight. It’s not a lost cause though; as its retractable roof is relatively easy, and actually quicker to open and close compared to older robotized version.

It’s Good and Gets Better

As you would have guessed, the new Miata was put on a strict diet to achieve an overall curb weight of 2,332 lbs. That’s a significant weight reduction of a 150 lbs compared to its last generation.

That’s not the only line your car sales guy is going to draw with his highlighter. Combined with its new 2.0 liter SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY engine and a revamped 6-speed manual gearbox design, fuel efficiency is improved by a staggering 25 percent. More specifically, the all new Miata achieves a very honorable fuel economy of 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

Its outer shell is sculpted to near perfection with Mazda’s KODO “Soul in Motion” design language – and it’s good. Its front fascia is completely overhauled with an aggressive front fascia design sinned by its sharp-staring headlamps, depth-defying front grille, and unconventionally slanted LED fog lights. Its body side-plane is swerves up in the front hood dipping down in the mid driver’s section and back up in the drunk space. This ideal design achieves a double edged sword of form and function by enhancing front-wheel visibility with its bubbled front bonnet, increased visibility on its side view from its lowered side curves and increased trunk space. Out in the back continues to show off its sophisticated curves with its trunk lid corners descending outwards, deep rear headlamps sculpted inwards accompanied by a thin and slightly curved spoiler and traditional rear headlamps.

Putting Mechanics into Work

Spinning its rear wheels are worked by Mazda’s naturally aspirated direct-injected SKYACTIV 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower at 6000 RPM and 248 lb-ft of torque. Although a deficit of 16 horsepower compared to its last generation, the new one still feels equally if not even more capable than the last. Acceleration is swift and light. Seating arrangement also feels lowered with no compromise in visibility thanks to its re-designed chassis. And although its manual gearbox is completely redesigned, it still retains that raw and buttery smooth shifts through all 6 gears.

A new feature introduced is its double-pinion power assisted steering aimed to reduce steering kickback with reduced friction. Suspensions remain the same with its proven double wishbone in the front and multi-link in the rear.

Engine tone is revealing but not over-aggressive – an audible reminder that the Miata is both capable and controllable.

Pulling out of the Overstock Bin

From experience, we’ve seen in the past where automotive manufacturers chew more than what they can swallow, and flaws show as a result. But the Miata didn’t make the same mistake. Its SKYACTIV direct-injection engine technology baked into the new Miata was first unveiled as far back as 2008 at the Tokyo Auto Show and its first generation implemented in 2011. That’s 5 years of testing and refinement before finally integrating the technology into its best seller.

And it’s not just the engine technology pulled out of the overstock bin. The new Mazda Miata receives safety treatment with added i-ACTIVESENSE safety suite including including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive front lighting, lane departure warning, high beam control and rain-sensing wipers that has been used as in its guinea pigs.

With such a respected trademark spanning over 26 years and over 950,000 units sold globally, it easily proves that the MX-5 is Mazda’s bread and butter. And Mazda made all the right moves to retain the gold status of the convertible roadster. So the next time you hop into that new Miata, hav

e faith, but most importantly, have fun!