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 a bit short on low-down grunt and rather boomy. The cheapest versions miss out on some basic kit.
Speed, agility and bullet-proof build quality – everything you could ask from a roadster
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, thanks to light-footed, assured handling, yet the MX-5 copes admirably with the daily grind of normal driving.
There's plenty of space in the cabin, comfortable seats and even a reasonable boot for when you want to get away from it all on holiday.
Performance and economy are both good thanks to the light weight, which keeps emissions on the friendly side for company car drivers lucky enough to find the Mazda on their lists. We reckon the 1.8 gives you all the power you need, although it's easy to see the appeal of the 2.0's extra grunt.
You can keep costs down by choosing the basic models, but you miss out on basics like air conditioning and side airbags. Sport models have stiffer suspension for sharper handling, but the ride is rather firm.
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