2019 Mazda MX-5 Review: 7500rpm In A Miata Is My New Happy Place

A 700rpm redline increase from the updated 2.0-litre engine and improved ergonomics mean the ND MX-5 comes close to roadster perfection
2019 Mazda MX-5 Review: 7500rpm In A Miata Is My New Happy Place

Pros

Cons

Mazda is not like other car companies. It’s held back on making an electric car until execs feel the time is right. It’s still pushing diesel, and even sells one oil burner with a gasps 2.2-litre engine. It hasn’t bothered with downsized turbocharged petrol engines either, which seems to have worked out very well for the Japanese firm.

It’s generally the bread and butter products from Mazda that illustrate this best, but the updated ND MX-5 has a sprinkling of this left-field, comparatively old-school thinking too. It’s had a moderate increase in power not through forced induction, but by extensively redesigning the 2.0-litre N/A engine.

2019 Mazda MX-5 Review: 7500rpm In A Miata Is My New Happy Place

Inside the four-cylinder lump, you’ll find revised valve spring rates, lighter pistons, lighter connecting rods, and revised crankshaft counterweights. Outside of the block and head, the throttle body and exhaust valve have been enlarged, the muffler switched out for a redesigned part, and there’s a new low-inertia dual mass flywheel.

Unless you’re into your geeky engineering details, it’s likely you started to fall asleep during that last paragraph. But allow me to wake you back up by explaining what that means for the driving experience: power is up from 168 to 181bhp - a decent increase for a light car - and that power is now made at 7000rpm. Oh, and the engine revs to 7500rpm, 700 more than before. You’re listening now, aren’t you?

2019 Mazda MX-5 Review: 7500rpm In A Miata Is My New Happy Place

And what a joy it is to spin this revitalised engine to seven and a half grand. In the context of modern sports cars it’s a rare treat that brings with it a beautiful induction bark, audible even with the roof and windows down. You really need to be over 5000rpm to have any real forward momentum, but that’s the fun. Turbos make things too easy - what’s wrong with working an engine hard to get the best out of it?

It does feel quicker than the outgoing car, too. But crucially not too fast - the MX-5 remains a car you can sling down a road, go through a few gears and come out the other side without having hit anti-social speeds.

2019 Mazda MX-5 Review: 7500rpm In A Miata Is My New Happy Place

It’s just as responsive and eager as you’d like, making a cheeky blip of the throttle on each downshift a wonderous thing. It helps that the pedal spacing is also damn near perfect for heel-and-toe shenanigans.

The only real disappointment is the lack of a ‘hard’ rev limiter to bounce off, but with the peak power mark coming in 500rpm lower, you don’t often find yourself reaching the end of the car’s range anyway.

2019 Mazda MX-5 Review: 7500rpm In A Miata Is My New Happy Place

The chassis is unchanged, although that’s no bad thing. I still think it could be slightly lower and slightly stiffer - even the GT Sport Nav example we tried with its Bilstein dampers is quite soft, meaning it does start to feel a little uncomfortable when really pushed. But you learn to appreciate the roll when most other manufacturers are going too far the other way with mega-firm riding sports cars.

2019 Mazda MX-5 Review: 7500rpm In A Miata Is My New Happy Place

The steering isn’t as quick as you’d perhaps expect either, which - again - is quite refreshing. It’s a great match for the car - a setup that’s ridiculously darty off-centre just wouldn’t suit the car’s softer attitude.

Mazda has also been very careful with grip and traction levels - there’s just about enough to make the car plenty capable, but not so much that pushing the back out isn’t possible with the modest power on offer. The tyres - Bridgestone Potenza S001s - aren’t that wide, and aren’t that sticky.

The cheapest 2.0-litre MX-5 is £22,295, while this range-topping GT Sport Nav+ version is £25,795
The cheapest 2.0-litre MX-5 is £22,295, while this range-topping GT Sport…

So, the engine is better than ever, the chassis is as sweet as before, and as the final piece of the puzzle, Mazda has added steering reach adjustment, meaning people of all shapes and sizes can, at last, get comfortable behind the wheel.

All of this comes together to form what might just be the best stock MX-5 Mazda has ever made. Some view the Miata as a blank canvas upon which to lavish many mods, and I’m partial to a modified ND MX-5. But if I had one of these, I’m not sure I’d change a thing.

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Comments

Chewbacca_buddy (McLaren squad)(VW GTI Clubsport)(McLaren 60

I’m so glad that Mazda is the way it is. It’s a relief knowing that someone will still make a cheap, fun sports car in these times

10/07/2018 - 12:44 |
112 | 2

But how long with they stuck at it in these scary times?

10/08/2018 - 04:33 |
4 | 0
Extreme Daniel

Not sure if i agree with the best miata engine ever. That Electronic throtte body and that weird gas pedal are my only complaints about the nd, but it think reasonable ones

10/07/2018 - 12:55 |
4 | 4
Uzair Patel

What does ND mean??

10/07/2018 - 13:08 |
10 | 2

Just chassis code

10/07/2018 - 13:10 |
6 | 0

Its just the generation name I guess. I don’t know if its on the chassis code or not, this is the 4th gen MX5, starting with the NA, NB, NC and the ND.

10/07/2018 - 13:11 |
2 | 0

It’s the code for the 2016+ MX-5.
The previous ones go NA, NB and NC from 1989 to 2015

10/07/2018 - 18:11 |
2 | 0
RonTheCarGuy (CT Jedi Order)

700 rpm? Wow that’s a lot

10/07/2018 - 13:55 |
2 | 4

Oh wait nvm

10/07/2018 - 13:55 |
2 | 6
DL🏁

Great car, great review. I just hope there is more demand for this little thing. It’s light, it’s usable, it’s cheap and fun. It has a high revving naturally aspirated engine! It really is a perfect car in most ways.

Unpopular opinion: I kinda prefer it to the A110 from the previous article. Much cheaper, yet similar spirit.

10/07/2018 - 14:14 |
26 | 0

I see the new NDs everywhere here in my part of Germany. The older generations not so much.

10/07/2018 - 14:38 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

Drivers: Hey Mazda, we love the Miata, but could you add steering adjustment for the taller drivers?
Mazda: Sure, and here’s an extra 700 RPM and 20 horsepower.

##Drivers: Nice!

Drivers: Hey, guys, how about a bit more power in the-
Subaru and Toyota, simultaneously: F* you, more aero kits.

10/07/2018 - 14:54 |
76 | 0
The Real Fat Princess

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hahahahaha, that made me chuckle!

10/08/2018 - 09:09 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Slowly morphing into an S2000. Wonder if Honda is paying any attention…

10/07/2018 - 15:16 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

The question is though, this or an 86?

10/07/2018 - 16:13 |
0 | 0
Unknown

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Unless you need the extra shelf, I mean seats, the Miata is the way to go

10/08/2018 - 12:11 |
2 | 0
Matthew Henderson

It could be just me, but I find tan leather in a red car a horrible combination…

10/07/2018 - 20:15 |
0 | 0

Well… you’re wrong lol

10/08/2018 - 12:11 |
0 | 2
UnknownCat13

Great car and I really want one.
But I’m 6’4”. RIP

10/07/2018 - 20:48 |
0 | 0

My dad is 6’4” and he drives an na miata

10/08/2018 - 05:19 |
0 | 0