Can Mazda's New MX-5 ND Continue The Phrase 'The Answer Is Always Miata'?

Mazda has revealed pricing of its new MX-5, and as expected, it’ll set buyers back between £18,495 and £23,295. According to early driving reports, the new car is the true spiritual successor to the Mk1, and as an owner of one myself that’s very good news (yes, I’m chomping at the bit to get behind the wheel of an ND).

But does the new car really deserve the ‘the answer is always Miata’ witticism that’s been bestowed on it in recent years? After all, there are a lot of new cars that are super-exciting to drive and inexpensive to buy, the Fiesta ST being no exception. To find out, here’s a selection of cars in the same price range that might make the oft-used Miata phrase obsolete.

1. Fiesta ST

Let’s get the most obvious car out of the way, shall we? Despite its wrong-wheel drive layout, the ST is magnificent, intoxicating, fun and playful. The chassis is brilliant, the 179bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged four-pot not only sounds good, it’s got serious punch, and to top it off, the car looks awesome. Prices for the ST start from £17,395, so it’s over £1000 cheaper than the Mazda and will be quicker on any track you put it on with the Japanese car.

But again, the rear wheels do nothing but tag along for the ride, and you can’t fold the roof down unless you’ve got an angle grinder.

The answer? Miata.

2. Subaru BRZ

For £22,495, you’re looking at Subaru BRZ money. You’re also upgraded to 2.0i Sport MX-5 territory which means you’re now packing 159bhp, not 129bhp as you get in the less expensive 1.5-litre car. The BRZ has rear-wheel drive, more power (197bhp) and is an absolute blast to drive even on relatively skinny Prius tyres. Sure, it doesn’t have a folding roof, but for the money, it’s arguably the better car.

The answer? Not Miata, unless a soft top is a must.

3. Volkswagen Polo GTi

It’s not quite a match for the Fiesta ST, but it’s not break-the-bank expensive either. Prices for the Polo GTi kick off from £18,850 which gets you 189bhp and a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds. Compare that to the MX-5, and you’re looking at the 1.5 with 129bhp again. For all-out performance, then, the Polo wins it hands down, but petrolheads with a penchant for fun RWD and drop-top driving know that the answer is always Miata.

The answer? Miata.

4. Caterham 270

If we were to go wildly into the opposite end of the Fiesta ST/Polo GTi spectrum, we’d arrive at the Caterham 270. This back-to-basics road racer costs £22,995, features a 1.6-litre 135bhp n/a engine and a 0-62mph time of just 5.0 seconds (weight reduction, bro).

For all-out driving purity and excitement, the 2.0-litre MX-5 deosn’t even get a look in. If this were to be your one and only daily driver, however, then the Caterham’s many compromises (it’s as sparse as a prison cell) will make you think again.

The answer? Miata.

5. Mini Cooper JCW

Again, wrong-wheel drive, so for true petrolheads (yes, I’m generalising) the answer is already Miata. That said, the £23k Mini Cooper JCW packs serious shove, churning out 228bhp from its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine. It’ll power its way to 62mph in just 6.3 seconds with the manual (6.1 seconds with the more expensive Steptronic auto) and won’t stop going until it hits 153mph.

Thanks to its electronic differential lock control, the JCW should manage its torque steer well, the system acting much like a mechanical locking diff.

The answer? Miata.

The verdict

While this selection of cars can’t be directly compared with the new MX-5 (it’s pretty unique in the new car market), the only car that does come close to (and in some ways exceeds) the attraction of the Mazda is the BRZ. Most cars in the same price bracket are front-wheel drive, which turns a lot of us petrolheads off immediately, while the rear-driven Caterham is just too compromised.

The verdict, then, is that yes, ‘the answer is always Miata’ (unless you’re happy with a coupe).