In a world of large lumbering trucks, crossovers and SUVs, a small roadster, the Mazda MX-Miata Club, stands out. One reason is the Miata is a fun-driving car. It will brighten the normal commute with its top-down motoring on days without rain.
(WTOP/Mike Parris)
While no rocket ship, the little MX-5 Miata feels fast thanks to its low-to-the-ground seating position and smaller size. The MX-5 Miata shines on back roads with high handling limits, or relax and enjoy the roads at normal speeds.
The new Kinematic posture control keeps the MX-5 Miata flat in those faster corners and helps boost confidence. However, you might be intimidated when you take the Miata on the highway due to its small stature. My test vehicle came with a six-speed manual. It’s nearly perfect with short throws and the clutch is light and super easy to use.
The MX-5 Miata Club also has the special Brembo BBS Recaro package. It sports better Brembo front brakes to help the little roadster stop with authority.
The MX-5 Miata Club is a low-slung roadster with the roofline where bumpers of a large SUV are, making it hard to find in parking lots at times. The Miata Club I drove also comes with special BBS wheels that give this modern roadster a bit of an old school roadster styling cue. It’s not the first time a Miata has had BBS wheels and it’s great to see them back in 2022.
The Mazda looks very svelte since its redesign a few years back, with a short body seemingly stretched over the wheels. Its proportions seem to be closer to the original Miata than one from just a few years back.
Learning to sort of “fall into” the cockpit of the Miata can be very different then climbing up into a vehicle you might be used to. Once you get in the Mazda, you notice the interior is snug and taller drivers just might be out of luck completely. If you fit, the Mazda is a delight with great placement of the steering wheel shifter knob.
The Recaro seats are tremendous at providing comfort and better ability to keep you planted when the track calls. Nevertheless, you should try it before you buy, as all body types might not find the fit comfortable.
This is a small car and storage space in the cabin is at a premium. Luckily, there’s a small lockable storage cubby behind the seats. In addition, the manual operated cloth top is easy to use. One latch and one pull of a handle and one hand can push the top down. It’s the same in reverse. Pull a handle and the top pops up enough so you can lift and close in one motion. It’s all done in a few seconds.
Cost: $30,800; as tested $36,710
MPG: 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway; I managed 31.4 mpg in 146 miles of mixed driving.
Safety: Traffic jam assist; smart brake support; lane departure warning system; high beam control; blind spot monitoring system; adaptive front lighting system; rearview monitor; smart city brake support; Kinematic Posture Control
Options: $395 Polymetal Gray Metallic paint; $4,500 BBS Brembo Recaro package; $1,015 delivery, processing and handling fee
Things to know: The 2022 MX-5 Miata Club is pure fun in the sun and with improved handling. It’s a joy on the road and more composed on the track.
Pros:
- Great fuel economy from the 181hp four-cylinder engine
- Fun with top-down motoring
- Handling like it’s on rails
Cons:
- Small cabin. Not everyone will fit
- Noisy cabin at higher speeds, even with the top up
- Not much storage in the cabin
