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2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata

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Rating7.4

Ranked #1 in 

Subcompact Convertible
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$23,470 - $31,675
Starting Price 

Year

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Quick folding soft and hard tops

Choppy sound system

Stability and traction control are now standard

Low maintenance

Poor cargo room

New Special Edition model

Very reasonably priced

Enjoyable ride quality with predictive handling

Specs & Features

$23,470

price

167 hp @ 7000 rpm

horsepower

140 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

torque

5-Speed Manual

transmission

2.0L 4cyl RWD 5M

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Competing in the subcompact convertible segment, the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Convertible is a direct competitor to the Fiat 500 Convertible and the Mini Cooper Convertible. The Mazda MX-5 Miata starts off at an MSRP of $23,470, going all up to $31,675, with 4 trims in the lineup. Each trim is offered with a 2.0L inline-4 engine and a standard 6-speed manual transmission (5-speed manual transmission on the base trim) or an optional 6-speed automatic transmission, producing 167 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. However, while mated with the optional automatic transmission, the power drops down to 158 horsepower. Through this powertrain, the MX-5 Miata manages a 0-60 of 6.9 seconds and a combined fuel economy of 24 MPG with the manual and 23 MPG with the automatic transmission. 

Buying Advice

New for this year, the Special Edition trim is what we recommend out of the 4 trims available. A limited-slip differential and a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein dampers are both standard with this trim, along with the features of the Premium package. Having said that, Mazda plans to only produce 450 units making it hold every ounce of exclusivity.

Trims

    Sport
    $23,470 onwards
    • 16-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Front manual air conditioning
    • Manual Convertible top
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    Touring
    $25,830 onwards
    • 17-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Remote keyless entry
    Grand Touring
    $27,100 onwards
    • Front automatic air conditioning
    • Front passengers heated-cushion
    • Leather Seat trim
    Special Edition
    $31,225 onwards
    • 17-inch black aluminum Wheels
    • Power Convertible top
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    • Sirius AM/FM/Satellite

Compare to similar cars

7.4
2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Price

$23,470- $31,675

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.38

Horsepower

167 hp @ 7000 rpm

Torque

140 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

Capacity

2

Read Review

9.3
2012 Mini Cooper

$21,300- $35,100

Gasoline

9.31

121 hp @ 6000 rpm

114 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm

4

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8.1
2012 Porsche 718 Boxster

$48,100- $65,200

Gasoline

8.07

255 hp @ 6400 rpm

214 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

2

Read Review

2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    		SourceCompare
    		7.2 sec15.6 sec-
    		5.2 sec--
    		8.9 sec-123 mph
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    2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      		SourceCompare
      		22 mpg28 mpg25 mpg12.7 gal.279.4/355.6 mi.
      		27 mpg35 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/462 mi.
      		20 mpg27 mpg22 mpg16.9 gal.321.1/456.3 mi.

      2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        		SourceCompare
        		157.3 in.67.7 in.49 in.4.6 in.91.7 in.
        		172.1 in.70.9 in.50.9 in.5 in.95.1 in.
        		146.6 in.66.3 in.55.7 in.5.3 in.97.1 in.

        2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          		SourceCompare
          		5.3 cu.ft.90.9 cu.ft.5.3 cu.ft.
          		6 cu.ft.144.6 cu.ft.23.3 cu.ft.
          		5.3 cu.ft.88.5 cu.ft.9.9 cu.ft.

          2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            		SourceCompare
            		11.4 cu.ft.5.3 cu.ft.5.3 cu.ft.
            		70.8 cu.ft.6 cu.ft.23.3 cu.ft.
            		11.6 cu.ft.5.3 cu.ft.9.9 cu.ft.

            2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              		SourceCompare
              		536 lbs.2480 lbs.
              		816 lbs.2701 lbs.
              		661 lbs.2943 lbs.

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