2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Gets Performance and Tech Upgrades, Price Upcharge
Like a fun grandfather, the Mazda MX-5 Miata manages to be both an old soul and fun-loving. Channeling the spirit of a generation of roadsters manufactured on the other side of the world and extinct for decades before it arrived, the compact two-seat droptop has no natural competitors (unless you count the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ, which have a pesky roof permanently between the occupants and the sky). With this generation entering its ninth model year since a redesign, Mazda has made a few livability upgrades but mostly focused on refining the Miata’s unique driving experience.
What’s New?
Whereas model-year updates for most vehicles today focus on infotainment upgrades (the Miata gets those, too), Mazda is more eager to tell buyers about the Miata’s new optional asymmetric limited-slip differential that is better able to manage lockup through the braking and acceleration phases of a corner. Mazda also fitted a new steering rack to the Miata and retuned the power assist for more relaxed cruising and greater precision. Combine those updates with a new Track Mode for the stability control that raises the intervention threshold — only available on the mid-grade Club trim level — and it’s clear that Mazda remains focused on making the Miata more Miata.
However much it may not seem to exist in the modern world, the Miata does also see some more familiar updates for 2024. The infotainment screen grows from 7 to 8.8 inches and now features Android Auto, Apple CarPlay (wireless on the Club and Grand Touring trims), and Amazon Alexa offering voice control of the climate and audio systems. Mazda also fits new LED daytime running lights and taillights for 2024, as well as new wheel designs.
Powertrain Specs and MPG
The Miata’s powertrain is unchanged for 2024. The only available engine is a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder sending 181 horsepower and 151 pounds-feet of torque to the rear wheels. A six-speed manual transmission is standard; a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters is only available on the line-topping Grand Touring trim. The EPA hasn’t yet rated the 2024 Miata, but its fuel economy is unlikely to change from the 2023 model, which was rated at 26/35/30 mpg city/highway/combined with the automatic and 26/34/29 mpg with the manual.
Availability and Pricing
The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata will go on before spring, so buyers can greet the season appropriately. The base Sport trim is only available with a cloth top. The RF folding hardtop (short for “retractable fastback,” a debatable description) is available on the Club and Grand Touring trim levels; it costs $2,775 on the Grand Touring and $7,725 on the Club, where it’s bundled with a $4,800 package that includes Brembo front brakes, BBS wheels and heated Recaro sport seats. Full line pricing (including $1,165 destination fee) is as follows:
- Sport: $30,150
- Club: $33,650
- Grand Touring (manual): $35,450
- Grand Touring (automatic): $36,370
Trim Levels and Safety Equipment
Advanced driver-assist systems that are standard across the 2024 MX-5 Miata lineup include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitors, lane departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Sport trim level rides on metallic-black 16-inch wheels and features LED exterior lighting and keyless entry and start. Inside, it has cloth seats, a leather shifter and parking-brake boots, plus a six-speaker audio system.
The Miata Club rides on sport-tuned Bilstein dampers and boasts a front shock-tower brace, as well as the new asymmetric limited-slip differential and Track Mode stability control. It gets metallic-black 17-inch wheels, suede accents on the seats and synthetic leather interior trim, as well as a nine-speaker Bose sound system with speakers in the head restraints. The RF’s power-operated hard top can open or close in about 13 seconds, and regardless of color, Club RFs get a black top.
Spring for the Miata Grand Touring and you’ll get a few safety upgrades, including adaptive auto headlights, traffic-sign recognition and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Inside, the Grand Touring features heated leather seats, navigation and automatic climate controls. Grand Touring RFs get a body-colored roof.
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