2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata

header-image
$27,650 - $38,550
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on June 10, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Engaging driving dynamics

Restricted interior and cargo space

No new changes

One of the most fuel-efficient cars in its class

Cabin noise at high speeds even with the roof up

Premium interior quality

Mediocre infotainment system

A very potent 2.0-liter engine

Specs & Features

$27,650

price

181 hp @ 7000 rpm

horsepower

151 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

torque

6-speed Manual

transmission

2.0L 4cyl RWD 6M

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The best-selling lightweight roadster, the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata is back again for another stint with next to no changes for the year. It might not be the most powerful roadster or it won't make you go awestruck with its subtle looks but it has all the characteristics and charm of a convertible sports car. Priced at an expected MSRP of $ 28,000, the 2022 Miata will still be offered in a soft-top convertible model and also a hard-top RF model.

The recipe behind the success of the humble Mazda is its affordable price, lightweight nature, and splendid driving dynamics. These are also the qualities that made the Mazda Miata MX-5 an icon back then. The powertrain department of the MX-5 Miata is looked after by a paltry 181 hp 2.0L Inline-4 engine. Tipping the weighing scales at just over 2000 lbs, the MX-5 Miata has always been one of the most revered cars in the Japanese domestic market, for its fun driving dynamics. The 2022 MX-5 Miata rivals against the likes of the 2022 Ford Mustang Convertible, and the 2022 Chevy Camaro. 

Buying Advice

Albeit, the base trim Sport trim is a good package overall, our recommendation leans more towards the Club trim which is the most value for money trim here. There is a significant difference between both these trims and it will only cost you around an extra $3500 but what get for it is all that matters. The club trim with manual transmission also comes with a shock tower brace, Limited-slip differential, Sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, and Engine sound enhancer. 

Additionally, the manual club trim offers Brembo/BBS Recaro package which gives you access to some performance parts such as Brembo front brakes with red front and rear calipers, Gray BBS wheels, Aerodynamic body kit, and Heated Recaro sport seats. Moreover, it also comes with some other packages like Appearance Package, Interior Package, and Weather Package. The Appearance package offers Side Sill Extensions and Brilliant Black Rear Bumper Skirt, the interior package offers a soul red engine oil cap with an MX-5 logo, Alloy Pedals, and Stainless Steel Door Sill Trim Plates. The Weather package, on the other hand, offers Cargo Tray, All-Weather Floor Mats, and MX-5 badge.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The party trick of this car is a 2.0 liter inline 4 engine, along with a lightweight and well-balanced chassis. It is definitely a pocket rocket made with perfection and it’s a huge bang for your buck. Despite offering impressive performance, it also impresses you with its fuel economy. Also, it is the most engaging and frolic car to drive in its class. Moreover, Mazda has also got you covered with three exciting trims on offer to choose from. The best thing about the powertrain is, it also comes with manual transmission across all the trims. The Purists would madly fall in love with the 2022 Mazda Miata MX-5. Moreover, it rivals the likes of other cars like the Ford Mustang Convertible, Mini Cooper Convertible, and the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible.

What is the Price of the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

As there have been no official pricing structure release of the 2022 MX-5 Miata, we expect the roadster to start from an expected MSRP of $28,000

What is the Release date of the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

The official release date of the 2022 Mazda MX-5 has not been revealed yet by the automaker. Having said that, we can expect a Fall-2021 release for the same.

Buying Advice

Although being a base trim, the Sport trim is a good package overall. Nevertheless, our recommendation leans more towards the Club trim which is the most value for money trim here. There is a significant difference between both these trims and it will only cost you around an extra $3500 but what you get for it is all that matters. The Club trim with manual transmission also comes with a shock tower brace, Limited-slip differential, Sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, and Engine sound enhancer.

Features
9.0/10

The 2022 Mazda Miata MX-5 comes over in 3 exciting trim levels which are; Sport, Club, and Grand Touring. The base trim Sport should be priced at an expected MSRP of $28,000 for the manual version and $28,500 for the automatic version with a slightly better fuel economy. The Club sits in the middle and its price ranges from $30,000 to $31,500. Last but not least is the Grand Touring trim, which is the top rack trim which is priced at $32,000 for the manual trim to $33,200 for the automatic version.

Trim

Sport

Club

Grand Touring

MSRP

$28,000

$30,000

$32,000

Key Features

16-inch alloy wheels

17-inch black wheels

Dark gray wheels

 

LED headlights

Black front lip and rear spoilers

Leather upholstery

 

7-inch touchscreen

Heated seats

Heated mirrors

 

Side-impact bars

Power windows

Automatic headlights and wipers

 

Seat-mounted driver and passenger side-impact airbags

Driver and passenger-side visor mirrors

Navigation system

 

Electronic stability

Nine-speaker Bose audio system

Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay

All the trims on offer will come standard with a subtle 2.0L Inline-4 engine. The base trims come with the usual feature list, and the premiumness of the features goes on increasing as you move up the trim ladder. As standard, the base trim offers features like 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a 7-inch touchscreen, Electronic stability control, and some more features. Further, there are also certain optional packages on offer too.

Fuel Economy
7.1/10

The 2022 Mazda MX-5 Convertible is a sports car with a major focus on fuel economy as well but it still manages to stay on par with most of its rivals in this category. With a city mileage of 26 MPG and highway mileage of 34 MPG, the 2022 Mazda Miata MX-5 gives a combined fuel economy of 29 MPG and it is a sports car with relatively good fuel efficiency. Having a tank capacity of 11.9 gallons, it also gives a good range. It allows the car to traverse a distance of 309 miles in the city, 405 miles on the highway, and 345 miles when combined which seems to be pretty decent for a 2 seater sports car.

Models

2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata

2021 Ford Mustang Convertible

2021 Mini Cooper Convertible

2021 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

MPG (City)

26

20

26

19

MPG (Highway)

34

27

37

29

MPG (Combined)

29

23

30

22

Fuel Capacity (gallons)

11.9

15.5

11.6

19

Range (City/ Highway/ Combined, in miles)

309/ 405/ 345

320.0/448.0/368.0

325/ 418/ 360

380/ 570/ 437

Overall, the Mini Convertible Cooper delivers a better fuel economy of a combined 31 MPG which makes it the most fuel-efficient car in the segment followed by the Mazda Miata MX-5. Due to its massive power output, the Ford Mustang Convertible offers the least fuel economy, whereas the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, on the other hand, with a large tank of 19 gallons, manages to annihilate all its rivals in terms of driving range.

Interior
7.1/10

Thankfully, Mazda managed to keep the weight low while retaining an acceptable level of comfort - Carbuzz

The interior of the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a combination of clean modern design cues with utmost comfort. The seats have decent space in terms of shoulder room, and legroom but because of the low roofline, this headroom is a bit restricted. However, the design used for the dashboard looks minimalistic yet elegant with clean and neat lines. The steering wheel, on the other hand, feels chunky and thick to hold. It comes with audio and other controls as well. Furthermore, the base trim comes with cloth upholstery that looks upscale.

Nevertheless, the top Grand Touring trim gets leather-wrapped seats that look amazing and tastefully done as well. You also have an option to go for Heated Recaro sport seats in the Club trim. Coming to the interior dimensions part, this compact sports car comes with seating for 2 people. The seats, however, lack both headroom which is best suited for short people only. On the flip side, it offers a respectable shoulder room and legroom of 52.2 inches and 43.1 inches respectively.

All trims come with a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with a 6 speaker audio system as standard. Mazda also offers a 9-speaker Bose audio system in the Club trim. There’s also a navigation system with decent graphics and the infotainment screen has a smooth response. Overall the system has a good high-quality resolution, clarity, and user-friendly interface. This infotainment system is integrated with Mazda Connect with clock and steering wheel controls.

Models

2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata

2021 Ford Mustang Convertible

2021 Mini Cooper Convertible

2021 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

Seating Capacity

2

4

4

4

Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)

37.4/ 52.2/ 43.1

37.6/56.3/44.5

39.8/ 51.0/ 41.4

38.4/ 55.0/ 43.9

Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)

NA

35.7/44.7/30.8

39.0/ 39.7/ 30.9

33.4/ 50.3/ 29.9

Cargo Capacity (cubic feet)

4.6

11.4

7.6

7.3

All the cars except the 2022 Mazda Miata MX-5 offer seating for 4 people. When it comes to cargo capacity, the Ford Mustang Convertible again comes with the largest cargo volume of 7.6 cubic feet. On coming to the 2022 MX-5 Miata, it is not as tremendous as its rivals and offers the smallest cargo volume of only 4.6 cubic feet. Some other optional and standout interior features are listed below:

  • Heated seats
  • Optional Heated Recaro sport seats
  • Telescoping Steering Column
  • Leather Gear Shifter Material
  • Metal-Look Interior Accents
  • Driver Foot Rest
  • Sport Leather/Metal-Look Steering Wheel
  • Leather upholstery
  • Vinyl Door Trim Insert

Exterior
7.1/10

The Mazda MX-5 Miata provides a joyously distilled sports car experience that's difficult to match at any price point - Motortrend

The 2022 Mazda MX-5 Convertible still retains the iconic Miata design formula. Although its design is a bit old, it still looks good with some makeover in recent times and looks sportier than most of its rivals. However, the Mazda has put style over practicality in the MX-5 Miata. It is small and compact and also affects the ergonomics of the passengers. Nevertheless, its compactness and lightweight nature are the major strengths of the 2022 Mazda Miata MX-5 Convertible. The headlights are subtle and look angry with stylish LED daytime running lights on the front bumper.

The crease lines and shape of the bonnet and the whole bodywork give it a European-styled convertible’s look and personality. The aesthetics of the taillights are simply superb. Moreover, with the roof down, it looks absolutely charming and adorable. It also offers 16-inch alloy wheels in the basic trim and comes with 17-inch alloys when moving up the trim ladder. The top-tier Grand Touring trim boasts dark gray wheels which add to the aesthetics of the car. Moreover, it is anticipated to have a new design for the wheels for the upcoming year.

Models

2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata

2021 Ford Mustang Convertible

2021 Mini Cooper Convertible

2021 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

Curb weight (lbs)

2341

4193

2948

3627

Length (inches)

154.1

188.3

151.9

188.3

Width (inches)

68.3

75.4

68.0

74.7

Height (inches)

48.6

54.9

55.7

52.9

Ground Clearance (inches)

4.9

5.7

4.5

5.0

Wheelbase (inches)

90.9

107.1

98.2

110.7

Moving forward to the dimensions part, the 2022 Mazda Miata MX-5 Convertible comes with a curb weight of 2341 lbs which is immensely lesser than all the other cars in the competition. It also happens to be the shortest car in the segment measuring 48.8 inches. Albeit being the shortest car, it sports a decent ground clearance of 5.3 inches. Among the competition, the Ford Mustang offers the highest ground clearance of 5.7 inches which makes it a better car for driving on rough roads and terrains.

Some other standout exterior features of the Mazda MX-5 convertible are listed below:

  • Gray BBS wheels (part of performance package)
  • Aerodynamic body kit (part of performance package)
  • 17-inch black wheels
  • Black front lip and rear spoilers
  • Upper door trim in exterior color
  • LED headlights
  • Light Tinted Glass
  • LED Brakelights
  • Variable Intermittent Wipers
  • Black Grille

Safety
3.0/10

The safety of the car is the most significant factor that could make or break the deal. However, both NHTSA and IIHS have not rated the 2022 Mazda Mx-5 as well as the previous year model. Nonetheless, the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Convertible is equipped with a plethora of modern and unblemished safety features. To provide proof that it is safe, it offers a long list of both advanced active and passive safety features as standard. Like every other modern car, it offers ABS and Driveline Traction Control as standard.

Some other standout active and passive safety features are as follows:

  • Forward collision warning
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
  • Back-Up Camera
  • Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) 
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
  • Lane Departure Warning System

Competition
3.0/10

2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata Vs 2021 Ford Mustang Convertible:

Both these cars come from different families but are made to serve the same purpose, to deliver a power-packed and fun-filled driving experience behind the wheel. Given the fact that the Ford Mustang convertible is more powerful, it offers better straight-line performance but the Mazda Miata is the king when it comes to corners.

Moreover, the Mustang offers better practicality and comfort with seating for 4 people. However, if you want a proper and efficient sports car, the MX-5 is the one you should go for.

2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata Vs 2021 Mini Cooper Convertible:

The 2021 Mini Cooper Convertible is the most celebrated car in this segment and it still lives up to its name. On the upside, despite being one of the smallest cars, it can accommodate up to 4 passengers. It also turns out to be more fuel-efficient than the 2022 Mazda Miata MX-5 convertible.

However, it loses out to the Mazda when it comes to performance and styling. Also, the Mini is more expensive than the Mazda.

 

Final Verdict

The 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata is brimmed with supreme driving potential and performance numbers. It is the most desirable and affordable convertible out there in the market. It also has the take your camera phone out appeal. It retains all the best things about an affordable modern-day sports car. However, there are negatives too, as it offers dismal cargo space and is very impractical to drive for tall people. Apart from that, it is very appealing to a lot of buyers because it absolutely has the essence of a nimble sports car.

Trims

    Sport
    $27,650 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl RWD 6M
    • Horsepower: 181 hp @ 7000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 151 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.9 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 29 mpg
    RF Club
    $38,550 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl RWD 6M
    • Horsepower: 181 hp @ 7000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 151 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 29 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$27,650- $38,550

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.83

Horsepower

181 hp @ 7000 rpm

Torque

151 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

Capacity

4

Read Review

$27,900- $39,400

Gasoline

8.06

134 hp @ 4500 rpm

162 lb.-ft. @ 1480 rpm

4

Read Review

2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    5.9 sec14.6 sec-
    8.2 sec15.6 sec132 mph

    2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      26 mpg34 mpg29 mpg11.9 gal.309.4/404.6 mi.
      29 mpg37 mpg31 mpg11.6 gal.313.2/429.2 mi.

      2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        154.1 in.68.3 in.48.6 in.4.9 in.90.9 in. -
        152.2 in.68 in.55.7 in.4.5 in.98.2 in. -

        2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          4.6 cu.ft.37.4 cu.ft.5.3 cu.ft.
          5.2 cu.ft.76.3 cu.ft.7.6 cu.ft.

          2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            5.3 cu.ft.4.6 cu.ft.5.3 cu.ft.
            100.7 cu.ft.5.2 cu.ft.7.6 cu.ft.

            2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              404 lbs.2341 lbs.
              712 lbs.2892 lbs.

              2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata Convertible Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              1

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              4

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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