WASHINGTON — The venerable Miata was overhauled nearly two years ago and it recaptured what made the little roadster such a special car almost 30 years ago.
The emphasis was on designing an even more lightweight, fun-to-drive machine that is able to keep up with the wants and needs of today’s buyers.
I drove the latest version of the new MX-5 called the RF, which loses the easy, manual and fabric top, replacing it with an electric folding roof. While purists might only want the soft top, the new metal roof doesn’t make this less of a Miata. The hard top seems to quiet down the cabin on the highway and some people I gave a ride to said they felt safer with a hard top above their head.
The RF is more targa top than full-on convertible. Part of the roof and rear side pillars do not move. Instead, the roof over your head and rear window disappear when the top is opened. It’s a very good look with the top up or down, and sportier than the rag top version.
The front end of the new generation Miata looks angry; gone is the smile from Miatas of the past. The side views of the RF version are where the looks differ from the rag top version. The rear body structure for the roof above the rear fender gives the hard top Miata an aggressive sculpted body that stretches to the edges above the rear wheel arches.
The styling out back is more exotic-looking also, with large round taillights flanked by narrow light clusters that house turn signals. I wish it had the exhaust pipes on both ends of the bumper because it would have looked better than the single opening on the right-hand side of the car.
The RF version is still a hoot to drive … and so what if it doesn’t have a soft top. The hard top keeps the noise down to acceptable levels and with the top down and rear window open, it’s louder but totally fine at highway speeds.
You sit low, so get used to looking at tires and bumpers of just about everything else on the road. But the steering is direct and light. It’s a fun car at legal speeds that feels alive in your hands.The manual transmission is a dream, with short smooth throws between the six gears. The clutch is light with nice feeling. There is an automatic transmission, if you must.
You feel the road in the MX-5 RF but a bit less so than the hard-core track version I driven before. It’s a nice compromise for those who plan to drive long distances with little-to-no track time.
Handling is still spot on and if you really push it, the tail will playfully slide, which is easily corrected. Power is adequate with 155 horsepower. It’s enough to get this small car going. If you want a bit more horsepower, it’s coming soon.
Fuel economy for my week of mixed driving was 28.9 mpg which is about what the sticker says.
The interior of the Grand Touring version of the Miata RF is nicely appointed, with heated leather seats. The steering wheel, shift knob and handbrake are also covered in leather. Space is tight for taller drivers but I think it’s a roomier Miata, so those who couldn’t fit in an old Miata should try again.
The materials used in the cabin seem upscale and feel nicer than in any Miata I can remember. Storage space is scarce. The rear center console storage area isn’t the easiest to access and there’s odd placement of the cup holders. A large 7-inch touch screen display and the control knob on the center console help to easily use the NAV or the HD radio. The Bose 9 speaker sound system does a nice job of allowing you to clearly hear the radio with top and windows open.
I’ve been a soft top-only Miata fan — until now. The MX-5 RF has won me over. With all the fun of Miata with a more year-round friendly hard top, I had a great week, even in cold weather. This little coupe transforms to fun roadster that’s ready to play when you are. The Grand Touring model gives you the touch of luxury to keep you comfortable and makes this Miata hard top easy to live with year round.
Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
