- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 2 seats
- Engine
2.0i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
135kW, 205Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 6.8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2016)
2024 Mazda MX-5 Roadster GT RS: Australian first drive
Mazda’s ‘ND’ MX-5 has been around for nearly a decade, but do the latest updates keep it competitive against newer rivals?
- Rewarding driving dynamics
- Unlimited head room
- Improvements to manual variants
- Cramped cabin won't accommodate tall people
- Price is creeping up
- Automatic doesn't have the same party tricks as manual
2024 Mazda MX-5 Roadster GT RS
Mazda has been producing MX-5 convertibles consecutively for 35 years, making it as old as me!
And after four generations, the ND MX-5 looks to be the last that blends a pure combustion engine powertrain with the rear-drive, convertible formula.
But the MX-5 isn’t going to be electrified just yet, and Mazda has introduced refinements to its perennial convertible to keep customers keen.
With new looks and added equipment, Mazda just might have perfected its roadster formula, but don’t go rushing out to buy one just yet, because there are still a few shortcomings that might be a deal-breaker to some.
How much is a Mazda MX-5?
As with all updates, prices for the 2024 Mazda MX-5 have gone up, but what was once one of the most affordable rear-drive sports cars… Is still one of the most affordable rear-drive sports cars.
Now kicking off at $41,520 before on-road costs, the manual Roadster is $2460 pricier than the 2023 version after prices went up with the reveal of the new car in October, and again earlier this year. And expect to see a similar price rise across the other variants.
The Roadster GT manual and automatic are now $48,640 and $50,140 respectively, up $2950 and $2450 each when compared to last year’s model.
But this manual-only Roadster GT RS I have with me here is $51,640 – nearly $3000 more expensive than before.
And while that might seem like a lot to pay for a two-seater convertible, consider this, flagship versions of the Toyota GR86 ($45,390 for the automatic GTS) and Subaru BRZ ($49,690 for the automatic tS) are only about $5000 cheaper, and only the MX-5 offers unlimited head room.
Stepping up to the retractable fastback, or RF, pricing kicks off at $46,250 for the manual, $2880 more expensive than before, while manual and automatic versions of the RF GT are now positioned at $52,140 and $54,640 – making them respectively about $3500 and $3000 pricier than before.
The automatic RF GT can also be had with a black roof and tan leather interior combo, priced at $55,660 (+$2870), while the top-spec manual MX-5 RF GT RS is priced at $56,140 (+$3370).
New in this update is a larger 8.8-inch infotainment system, increasing from 7.0 inches, that has functions for Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, satellite navigation, and digital radio.
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However, carryover standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, push-button start, powered side mirrors, automatic wipers, and a cloth interior.
Stepping up to the GT adds new design 17-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, heated side mirrors, black leather interior, heated front seats, keyless entry, and a Bose nine-speaker sound system.
The top-spec GT RS meanwhile, is fitted with BBS-branded 17-inch alloys, Bilstein dampers, Brembo front brakes, a front strut bar, and powered side mirrors, as well as a new-in-this-update electronic stability control (ESC) Track driving mode.
To further differentiate the manual versions from the automatic, an asymmetrical limited-slip differential is also included to smooth out acceleration and deceleration.
And the changes to the new MX-5 also apply to exterior styling, though this update is a subtle one.
There are new head- and tail-light signatures, fresh 17-inch wheels, and a new exterior colour option (Aero Grey Metallic).
Otherwise, it’s the same old fourth-generation MX-5 style we’ve all become used to over the last eight years.
What was once considered a bit of a performance car bargain – the ND MX-5 did launch locally in 2015 starting at $31,990 albeit for the base manual car with a now-discontinued 1.5-litre engine – is less of a value proposition in 2024, but then again, most car prices have been going up.
It might seem like a lot to spend on a weekend, ‘fun’ or second car, but it has the pedigree and excitement to justify its price tag.
Key details | 2024 Mazda MX-5 Roadster GT RS |
Price | $51,460 plus on-road costs |
Colour of test car | Soul Red Crystal Metallic |
Options | Premium paint – $595 |
Price as tested | $52,055 plus on-road costs |
Drive-away price | $57,324 (VIC) |
Rivals | Toyota GR86 | Subaru BRZ | Hyundai i30 Sedan N |
How big is a Mazda MX-5?
With such diminutive dimensions, and a folding roof to stow, don’t go expecting a capacious boot.
With 130 litres of total volume on offer in the Roadster version, and 127L in the RF, the MX-5 isn’t exactly suitable for that trip to Bunnings, but you will fit groceries and overnight bags without a problem.
Of course, you could always use the cabin for storage, made easier with this folding roof.
Gone are the days of convoluted and complicated convertibles, because the MX-5’s folding fabric top can be operated one-handed – just unlock it from the windscreen, fold it back, lock it in place, and the sky is literally the limit.
Opting for an RF gives you an electronically operated folding hardtop that is as easy as pressing a button to open/close the top, requiring 13 seconds to complete and operable at speeds up to 10km/h.
And while top-down head room might be unmatched in the MX-5, the lack of useable storage is very evident.
There’s a centre console box big enough for your keys, a storage cubby behind the seats good for your wallet, a tray for your smartphone, and that’s about it.
If you’ve got a coffee or water bottle, though, there are at least clip-on cupholders, but I wouldn’t trust them on a spirited drive – especially with a hot beverage.
But then again, the MX-5 has never been about practicality, has it?
The concessions you make in the cabin, and the boot, mean Mazda has managed to keep the weight of the MX-5 low, promising a more dynamic driving experience.
The seats are positioned low down so your butt practically kisses the tarmac, the steering wheel is perfectly placed, and the manual shifter just falls so easily in hand.
Mazda has seen fit to even update the instrumentation display, which is still analogue, with a less fussy design for easier readability at a glance.
The seats are also fitted with a new grippier material to help keep you in place in the corners.
Everything about the interior of the MX-5 is about the driver. The caveat here is that the driver has to obviously fit. I’m about six-feet tall (183cm) and the driver’s seat is kissing the rear bulkhead, so any taller and the MX-5 might not be as accommodating.
2024 Mazda MX-5 Roadster GT RS | |
Seats | Two |
Boot volume | 130L |
Length | 3915mm |
Width | 1735mm |
Height | 1230mm |
Wheelbase | 2310mm |
Does the Mazda MX-5 have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
All new 2024 MX-5s are now fitted with an 8.8-inch infotainment system, and while the old system had functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto previously, the smartphone mirroring software now works wirelessly.
The new display looks suitably modern and cutting-edge too, with a widescreen format and reduced bezels that make it look more like a piece of technology from this decade.
And the software performs well too, with touchscreen functionality as well as controls through a central rotary dial that lets you hop between satellite navigation and Bluetooth music streaming with ease.
Also new in this MX-5 update is the inclusion of Mazda Connected Services – a first for the Japanese car brand – across each variant, which allows for remote vehicle monitoring from your smartphone.
However, be aware that functionality is limited, so while you can lock the doors, check fuel levels, and view servicing information, you cannot unlock the doors or preset the climate controls.
The system also connects to emergency services in the event of a serious collision, and Mazda Australia bundles three years of connected services with each new MX-5 sold. The cost thereafter is currently unknown.
Is the Mazda MX-5 a safe car?
Mazda’s MX-5 is currently unrated by ANCAP and does not carry an official crash-test rating.
However, when the fourth-generation MX-5 first launched in Australia in 2015, ANCAP awarded it a maximum five-star rating based on testing criteria at the time.
This rating expired at the end of last year in line with ANCAP’s new rating expiration policy. Because ANCAP evolves its testing criteria over time, an older five-star score may not be directly comparable with a current five-star result.
Regardless, the 2024 MX-5 features many similarities with the 2023 model, including the same platform, engine, and safety equipment.
2024 Mazda MX-5 | |
ANCAP rating | Unrated (Expired December, 2023) |
What safety technology does the Mazda MX-5 have?
Each new Mazda MX-5 comes fitted with a wide assortment of safety equipment, starting with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, a reverse-view camera with rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert.
There are also other active safety systems like a driver attention alert, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition.
Rounding out its safety credentials is cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring, and front and side airbags for the two passengers.
At this price point, buyers might be expecting adaptive cruise control, and maybe even a front-facing camera, but the MX-5 is a niche sports car after all.
The Mazda 3 has adaptive cruise control available to manual variants (before the switch to an auto-only range for that model), so the technology is on the table, but even the automatic MX-5s miss out on the peak-hour-commute-friendly system.
Does the MX-5 need adaptive cruise control, though? I’d argue not, but it is missing a piece of equipment on offer to other models like the Subaru BRZ.
As for the front-facing camera, though, the MX-5 absolutely does not need it as its small size and great driver visibility negate the need for an extra set of eyes up front.
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) | Yes | Includes pedestrian detection |
Adaptive Cruise Control | No | |
Blind Spot Alert | Yes | Alert only |
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | Yes | Alert and assist functions |
Lane Assistance | Yes | Lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist |
Road Sign Recognition | Yes | Includes speed limit assist |
Driver Attention Warning | Yes | Includes fatigue monitor |
Cameras & Sensors | Yes | Reverse-view camera and rear sensors |
How much does the Mazda MX-5 cost to run?
Like all new Mazdas, the 2024 MX-5 comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, meeting the industry standard and matching the likes of Toyota, Subaru, Ford, and Hyundai.
However, the warranty does not cover track useage like Hyundai’s assurance period does for untimed, non-competitive events.
Scheduled service intervals in the MX-5 are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.
For the first five years of maintenance buyers will be expected to shell out a total of $2721, which is more expensive than the manual Toyota GR86 ($1500) and Subaru BRZ ($2528).
To insure, the 2024 MX-5 Roadster GT RS manual will set you back about $1638 based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
As a comparison, the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ will cost $1705 and $1645 respectively based on the same insurance conditions.
At a glance | 2024 Mazda MX-5 Roadster GT RS |
Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
Servicing costs | $1532 (3 years) $2721 (5 years) |
Is the Mazda MX-5 fuel-efficient?
Being diligent with the right foot could net you a fuel economy average of just 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres too, according to the official rating for the manual Roadster GT RS.
In fact, all manual Roadsters feature the same fuel economy rating, while automatic versions are slightly thirstier at 7.0L/100km.
The heavier RF also drinks more petrol, needing 6.9L/100km and 7.2L/100km for the manual and automatic respectively.
It was hard for me to ascertain a real-world figure at this launch, though, with car changes and an on-track component, but be sure to check back at Drive.com.au soon when the MX-5 comes through the garage.
Fuel efficiency | 2024 Mazda MX-5 Roadster GT RS |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 6.8L/100km |
Fuel type | 95-octane premium unleaded |
Fuel tank size | 45L |
What is the Mazda MX-5 like to drive?
If there’s one thing a sports car needs to nail above anything else, it’s driving feel, and the MX-5 will certainly get you feeling something.
Every input from the MX-5 feels so pure.
From starting up the revvy 2.0-litre petrol engine, to the notchiness of the gear shifter, to the immediacy of the steering, the MX-5 just gets what it's meant to do to be fun.
And after 35 years honing this front-engine, rear-drive convertible formula, the latest 2024 MX-5 is one the best Mazda has delivered.
You can argue that the engine is underpowered, and in a world of 2.0-litre turbos putting out 300kW, a 135kW/205Nm output might seem paltry, but I’d argue it makes this car more accessible to more people.
You don’t have to be intimidated by big kilowatt numbers that will get you into speeding territory after first gear, the MX-5 offers enough oomph to feel fast without ever breaking the law.
The throttle pedal in manual versions has been made more responsive in this update, and pairs with a new asymmetrical limited-slip differential that offers improved deceleration.
Can I tell they’ve been tweaked? Yes, you actually can.
After sampling the automatic version, as well as the 2023 MX-5, and then getting into a manual 2024 model, the difference is there, but isn’t enough to trade up if you’ve got an old model.
When the occasion arises to open up the taps, the 2.0-litre engine is such a delight to rev out all the way to redline, offering a sonorous soundtrack to accompany the RPM climb.
Mazda has also tweaked the airbox for more induction sound, but again, it’s not that big of a change where you’ll need to trade in an older car.
And without a turbo, there are no big spikes in power delivery that will catch you off guard either, so everything feels linear, controlled, and predictable.
And those same characteristics apply to the MX-5’s handling too.
As it's rear-wheel drive, you can just feel exactly what the rear end is doing from this perfect driving position, so you can swing the tail out with ease.
And if you opt for a top-spec GT RS grade, there is also a new Track mode for the dynamic stability-control system that lets you feel like an absolute hero as you can get big slides without spinning out.
Backing all that up is direct and communicative steering, which has been updated for the 2024 model, offering a smoother, more natural feel despite being electronic.
The MX-5 is one of the few sports cars that demands more of a driver at the limit, but it is also approachable regardless of your skill level. Not only is the MX-5 a wonderful car to pilot, it demands you be a better driver to get the most out of it.
Key details | 2024 Mazda MX-5 Roadster GT RS |
Engine | 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol |
Power | 135kW @ 7000rpm |
Torque | 205Nm @ 4000rpm |
Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
Transmission | 6-speed manual |
Power-to-weight ratio | 127kW/t |
Weight (kerb) | 1063kg |
Spare tyre type | Tyre repair kit |
Payload | 173kg |
Turning circle | 9.4m |
Can a Mazda MX-5 tow?
The 2024 Mazda MX-5 is not rated to tow, therefore does not have a braked or unbraked towing capacity.
As a rear-drive sports car with a small-displacement petrol engine, the MX-5 would not be suitable to haul loads anyway.
With only two seats, the payload capacity of 173kg should be enough for two adults, as well as some gear.
Should I buy a Mazda MX-5?
Like a bottle of fine wine or a happy marriage, the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 just gets better with age.
Don’t be put off by the fact this MX-5 has been around for nearly a decade, because the level of driver engagement, balance, and mechanical feel on offer here are unlike any other sports car on the market.
Yes, it is expensive for what you get, yes, there are more powerful models out there, yes, it is easier to live with a car with back seats, but what the MX-5 does well, it does so well that I can overlook these shortcomings.
If you fancy yourself a petrolhead, you owe it to yourself to at least experience the ND MX-5 on a twisty road, because a driving experience this pure may not be around for much longer.
How do I buy a Mazda MX-5? The next steps.
While the MX-5 is sublime to drive, even at lower speeds on public roads, I am aware that a two-seat convertible might not fit within everyone's life.
The next step if you are thinking about purchasing is to head to a local showroom, which can be found here, to see if you actually fit under the roof and if the compromised practicality is something you can live with.
To see which Mazdas are for sale, you can head to the Drive Marketplace here, and to stay on top of all Mazda news, check out this link here.