2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Drive Review: All Hail the ND2
I Want One, Badly
I previously penned that the Miata is the best sports car money can buy. Now, with this new engine, it’s even better.
Despite being a small displacement four-cylinder, the mechanical tuning for extra top end power hasn’t notably dampened the Miata’s ability to jolt off the line quickly, or pull hard out of any corner at low RPM. Though, when you only have to motivate about 2,500 pounds (driver included), it doesn’t take much to make a quick, little car. This is the fastest production Miata we have seen in the United States, doing the 0-60 sprint in a hair under six seconds.
Of course, a Miata isn’t about straight line acceleration, it, instead, shines on a winding road. Being only half a lane wide means you can let the Miata wiggle and move around in a canyon road safely. Grip levels are not particularly high, and, while body motions in the ND2 are, seemingly, better controlled than the ND1, it’s still a softly sprung car with some roll. That’s a good thing, as it lets you feel what the car is doing. The Miata is exciting, communicative and inspires much confidence in drivers of any talent level.
That its engine is now even more eager to rev, and has more punch to it, is just icing on the cake. Likewise, the 6-speed manual transmission is as joyous a thing to operate as ever. It offers ample feedback through the shifter, while also being slick and quick-shifting.
Anything Else?
Of course there’s more to the Miata. Few people are lucky enough to commute through rural, winding roads every day. Fortunately, the Miata delivers big smiles, even around town. It’s a happy car, that makes you happy as you drive it along. Rowing through the gears, even at pedestrian speeds is a joyous occasion. The Miata is also small enough to dice through traffic handily, and actually shortened my commute times a few minutes each day through Los Angeles’ notorious near-constant gridlock. Mazda’s tagline is “Feel Alive” and I certainly feel alive when driving this car.
Though, throughout this lovefest for the Miata, I continually thought back to the 2018 model I drove last year. Amusingly, it featured the same Machine Gray Metallic as this one. That car, however, offered a slightly more authoritative exhaust note. At first, I thought I was nuts, but a cursory google search shows that when Mazda redesigned the exhaust manifold for the ND2, they also changed the rear muffler. This new unit is actually a few pounds heavier, likely for increased sound damping and specific acoustic tuning. A few more decibels from the exhaust would be appreciated. Though, being a Miata, the aftermarket has you covered.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is an inexpensive sports car that benefits from it’s lightness in a way no other modern car can match. It’s fuel efficient (I averaged 28 MPG driving like a lunatic), fun and easy to park in even the smallest of LA parking spots. Did you know that Miata is both a name and an acronym? It stands for “Miata Is Always The Answer.” It’s excellent. I want one, and will buy one, soon, hopefully.
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