Used Mazda MX-5 2015-present review

Category: Sports car

The Mazda MX-5 is a fantastic two-seat convertible that's great to drive and doesn’t cost the Earth to buy or run

Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Nav+
  • Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Nav+
  • Mazda MX-5 rear
  • Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)
  • Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)
  • Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)
  • Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)
  • Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)
  • Mazda MX-5 vs Toyota GT86
  • Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)
  • Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)
  • Mazda MX-5 vs Toyota GT86
  • Mazda MX-5 vs Toyota GT86
  • Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Nav+
  • Mazda MX-5 rear
  • Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)
  • Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)
  • Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)
  • Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)
  • Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)
  • Mazda MX-5 vs Toyota GT86
  • Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)
  • Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)
  • Mazda MX-5 vs Toyota GT86
  • Mazda MX-5 vs Toyota GT86
Used Mazda MX-5 2015-present review
Star rating

What's the used Mazda MX-5 sports like?

Fun. That would be the best way to describe the Mazda MX-5. It exists as an enthusiast’s car, but an enthusiast’s car with concessions to the real world, where fuel prices are high, parking spaces are tight and road space is limited.

None of these challenges hold the MX-5 back; it’s an entertaining sports car for all situations and with used prices for early ones similar to those of a base-spec new small car, it makes for a great secondhand buy too.

Overview

The Mazda MX-5 is a fantastic two-seat convertible that's great to drive and doesn’t cost the Earth to buy or run

  • Outstanding ride and handling balance
  • Performance suited to UK roads
  • Low running costs
  • Wind noise at speed
  • Limited storage
  • Driving position lacks adjustment

Engines: A 1.5-litre engine opens the range, with a modest 129bhp, but even this is enough for acceleration that feels enjoyably brisk. There is also a 2.0-litre engine with 158bhp, and this was upgraded to produce 181bhp from mid-2018 onwards, helping the MX-5 to feel slightly swifter than the heavier Toyota GT86. If you want a bit more performance, the BMW Z4 – especially earlier cars with a six-cylinder engine – is a strong alternative.

Trims and equipment: There are countless special editions of the MX-5, but we're focusing on the main models here. The entry-level SE has 16in alloys, LED headlights, air-con, a basic audio system with an Aux connection, and a single detachable cup holder. Move up to SE L Nav and you'll get a 2nd cupholder for your passenger (or a thirsty driver) along with heated seats, cruise and climate control, plus a 7.0in infotainment screen that has a DAB radio and Bluetooth for your phone. If you go for a 2.0-litre engine, a limited-slip rear differential that helps with traction when cornering is included, along with larger 17in alloys.

Sport Nav gets you firmer sports suspension with Bilstein dampers, auto lights and wipers, leather seats, Bose premium audio, rear parking sensors and lane-departure warning. A safety pack was an option on this trim level; it included Blindspot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Alternatively, go for the GT Sport Nav+, which included that pack and also gave you keyless entry and a reversing camera.

Ride and handling: Weight – or a lack of it – is key to the MX-5 being as good as it is to drive. You see, being relatively light, the car doesn’t need stiff dampers, springs and anti-roll bars to control body movement in corners. This means you can have a nimble car – especially important on winding country B-roads – without compromising its ride quality. It might be a little firmer than the original MX-5, but this latest generation is still very supple, especially on the smallest 16in alloy wheels available with the 1.5-litre engine.

Interior and practicality: Inside the MX-5, you get two snug seats, a stubby gearlever (there’s an auto, too, if you want it) and a hood that can be neatly folded away in a single arm movement. It’s not the most spacious two-seat convertible, though, and some owners have criticised the lack of storage space. With only a small cubby in the centre console and a shallow tray in front of the gearlever, you can understand their point.

The good news is that boot space is unaffected by the roof being up or down. Bad news is that, while you can fit a couple of overnight bags in there, the opening is rather narrow. How narrow? Well, a set of golf clubs will not fit. If you need more practicality, the Mini Convertible, with two extra seats, might be worth considering.

If you're interested in finding a used MX-5, or any of the other sports cars and convertibles mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Mazda MX-5 rear

Ownership cost

What used Mazda MX-5 sports will I get for my budget?

Prices for a Mazda MX-5 start at around £10,000, which is a good price considering the popularity of the car. Spend between £10,000 and £14,000 on a 2016 car, £12,000 to £16,000 on a 2017 or 2018 car. If you want the more powerful 181bhp 2.0-litre available from mid-2018 onwards, expect to pay around £15,000 to £17,000. Spend around £20,000 on 2021 and 2022 cars.

For a 2023 car, have between £20,000 and £28,000 to spend, and a little more for a 2024 one. Keep up to date with used prices, use our free valuation tool to make sure you are getting the best deal.

Check the value of a used Mazda MX-5 with What Car? Valuations

Find a used Mazda MX-5 for sale here

Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)

How much does it cost to run a Mazda MX-5 sports?

MPG

Since even the more powerful 2.0-litre petrol has a combined fuel economy of 40.9mpg, fuel costs are very reasonable, although that figure drops to 39.2mpg if you go for the automatic gearbox. The 1.5-litre unit is even more economical at 47.1mpg.

CO2 emissions

Not all the engine options for the MX-5 were available before the 1 April 2017 tax change, so we’re only concentrating on the ones that were here.

The one that produces the most CO2 is the 2.0-litre auto at 167g/km, while the manual is a little bit cleaner at 161g/km. Neither can match the smaller 1.5 at 139g/km.

Road tax (VED)

Road tax for pre-April 2017 cars will be based on the amount of CO2 produced (see above paragraph). For cars registered after April 2017, a flat rate of £180 per year applies to all petrol and diesel vehicles.

Servicing

Servicing isn't quite as cheap as it is for mainstream rivals, but won’t be the worst out there. And if you do find a cheaper like-for-like service at an independent garage, Mazda will aim to match it on price.

Mazda MX-5 vs Toyota GT86

Our recommendations

Which used Mazda MX-5 sports should I buy?

Engine

The engine choice is quite simple: there are only two to choose from. If you spend most of your time in town, or you need something with cheaper insurance costs, then the 1.5-litre petrol is a fine choice. It’s freer-revving and has more charisma than the larger-engined car and it’ll cost you less to buy and to run, too. The 2.0-litre offers more performance and is also a great car, but for most people, we suspect the 1.5 will be the better bet.

All MX-5s are reasonably well equipped, but we'd seek out a Sport Nav car (Sport on later versions) that'll give you a healthy dollop of extra kit for not a great deal more money on the used forecourts.

Specification

All MX-5s are reasonably well equipped, but we'd seek out a Sport Nav car (Sport on later versions) that'll give you a healthy dollop of extra kit for not a great deal more money on the used forecourts.

Our favourite Mazda MX-5 1.5 Sport Nav

Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Mazda MX-5 sports?

The MX-5 has few immediate rivals that fulfil the same niche.

The Mini Convertible is similarly cheap to run and benefits from a wider range of engines. It also has a pathetically narrow boot opening, but at least you can fold the rear seats down to load longer items. It is front-wheel drive, meaning you don’t get the balanced handling of the MX-5, but it is still a fun drive. You will have to pay a bit more for it, but the Mini does have a superior interior to make up for that.

For sporting thrills for similar money, the BMW Z4 is a two-seater with a more refined folding metal roof and a more luxuriously appointed interior. Earlier cars came with a fantastic six-cylinder engine, which is certainly a step up from the engines in the MX-5.

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If you're interested in finding a used MX-5, or any of the other sports cars and convertibles mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Used Mazda MX-5 Open (15-present)