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MAZDA MX-5 COUPÉ CABRIOLET REVIEW

For The MX-5 gives you all the fun and style you'd want from a roadster. It's well made and cheap to own, too

Against The engines are short on low-down grunt and rather boomy. The cheapest versions miss out on some basic kit

What Car? says

4 out of 5 stars

It's hard to think of a roadster at any price that's as much fun as the MX-5. At this kind of money, it's a bargain.

Reader review rating

4.285714

The Mazda MX-5 Coupé Cabriolet full review Read in full

Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Both engines require a heavy right foot
Ride & Handling
5 out of 5 stars
As much fun as you want it to be
Refinement
4 out of 5 stars
Boomy engines and some wind noise
Buying & Owning
5 out of 5 stars
Cheap to run and a solid investment
Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
It should run and run if regularly serviced
Safety & Security
3 out of 5 stars
Cheaper models miss out on safety kit
Behind The Wheel
5 out of 5 stars
Spot-on driving position and simple dash
Space & Practicality
3 out of 5 stars
Cosy two-seater, but decent boot space
Equipment
3 out of 5 stars
All have the basics; pricier models are plush

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There are 5 Mazda MX-5 versions available

Mazda MX-5 Coupé Cabriolet 1.8i SE 2dr	£19,990	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Mazda MX-5 Coupé Cabriolet 2.0i SE 5spd 2dr	£20,785	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Mazda MX-5 Coupé Cabriolet 2.0i Kendo 2dr	£22,335	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Mazda MX-5 Coupé Cabriolet 2.0i Sport Tech 6spd 2dr	£22,990	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Mazda MX-5 Coupé Cabriolet 2.0i Sport Black 2dr	£22,995	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5

Mazda MX-5 Coupé Cabriolet 1.8i SE 2dr

This is no-frills open-top motoring at its best, but with the back-up of a folding metal roof. This version is cheap to buy and run.

What Car? says:4 stars out of 5

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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

The Mazda MX-5 has become the blueprint for the small, affordable roadster and it delivers so much more than the sum of its parts.

All versions are great fun to drive, thanks to light-footed, assured handling, yet the MX-5 copes admirably with the daily grind of normal driving.

For a hefty premium over the rag-top, the Roadster Coupe version has a neat folding metal top that gives you extra refinement and security. This makes it a better everyday car, but it's not such great value. Otherwise, it's business as usual, so there's plenty of space in the cabin, comfortable seats and even a reasonable boot.

You can keep costs down by choosing the 1.8 model and it gives you all the power you need. It's not hard to see the appeal of the extra grunt of the 2.0, however, which also comes with side airbags, stability control and a limited slip differential as standard. Sport models have stiffer suspension for sharper handling, but the ride is rather firm.