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.

Mazda MX-5 Open

What Car? says

5 out of 5 stars

Speed, agility and bullet-proof build quality – everything you could ask from a roadster

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There are 7 Mazda MX-5 versions available

Mazda MX-5 Open 1.8i Superlight 2dr TBA TBA
Mazda MX-5 Open 1.8i SE 2dr £16,795
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Mazda MX-5 Open 1.8i 20th Anniversary 2dr £16,850
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Mazda MX-5 Open 1.8i SE (AC) 2dr £17,345
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Mazda MX-5 Open 2.0i SE 5spd 2dr £17,795
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Mazda MX-5 Open 2.0i SE (AC) 5spd 2dr £18,345
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Mazda MX-5 Open 2.0i Sport Tech 6spd 2dr £20,145
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
MX-5 Our pick

Mazda MX-5 Open 1.8i SE (AC) 2dr

This is no-frills open-top motoring at its best. The MX-5 is guaranteed to put a big smile on your face and this version is cheap to buy and run.

What Car? says:5 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, 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.

Reader test team says:

Mazda MX-5 Open 2.0i 2dr

I have owned my mx5 for 4 years. I dont drive many…

justin wallace

4 out of 5 stars

Mazda MX-5 Open 1.8i (Option Pack) 2dr

I must say the car drives very well, looks good…

matthew brown

3 out of 5 stars

Mazda MX-5 Open 2.0i 2dr

A follow up of my review from last year - after…

gavin smith

out of 5 stars

Mazda MX-5 Open 2.0i 2dr

I have had this car for about 6 months now and I…

James Bolt

5 out of 5 stars
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