2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata: Pros and Cons

Let’s break down the pros and cons, key features, and what you can expect to pay for the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Pros: Where the Miata Shines

• Manual Transmission: Mazda’s six-speed manual gearbox is a masterpiece. Its short throws and satisfyingly mechanical feel are a joy to use and are often praised as one of the best in the industry. For those who still love to row their own gears, this is a major selling point.
• Affordable Fun: The Miata offers an incredible performance-to-price ratio. There are very few, if any, other rear-wheel-drive convertibles on the market that provide this level of driving engagement and quality at such a reasonable price point.
• Fuel Efficiency: For a sports car, the Miata is surprisingly generous at the pump. The EPA estimates for the manual transmission come in at 29 MPG combined, making it a great option for spirited daily driving without breaking the bank.

Cons: The Compromises of a Sports Car

• Impracticality: With only two seats and a tiny trunk (around 4.6 cubic feet), you have to pack light. There’s also limited storage inside the cabin, and tall drivers may find the interior to be a bit cramped.
• Cabin Noise: The Miata’s lightweight construction and focus on the driving experience mean that road and wind noise can be significant, especially at highway speeds. This is a common trade-off for a convertible sports car, but it’s something to consider if you plan on doing a lot of long-distance trips.
• The RF’s Compromises: The Retractable Fastback (RF) model, while stylish and offering a quieter cabin with the roof up, does have its own set of cons. It’s heavier than the soft-top, and the buttresses create a significant blind spot on the driver’s left side.

Key Features and Pricing

The 2025 Miata comes in a few different flavors, each with its own set of features. The base Sport trim starts around $30,765 MSRP and includes an 8.8-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a suite of standard safety features like Blind Spot Monitoring and Lane Departure Warning.

Stepping up to the Club trim (starting around $32,830 MSRP) adds a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein dampers, a limited-slip differential on manual models, and a fantastic Bose 9-speaker audio system.

Finally, the Grand Touring (starting around $34,630 MSRP) focuses on luxury with features like heated leather-trimmed seats and an adaptive front-lighting system. This is also the only trim where you can opt for the automatic transmission.