In a world of massive, heavy SUVs, over-active driver help options, and growing electrification, the Mazda MX-5 is a refreshing reprieve.

It has loads of security gear, thoughts you, however in any other case that is as near an old-school sports activities automobile as you may get right now in need of ponying up for a Caterham or Morgan.

The RF takes the traditional MX-5 formulation and provides a power-retractable targa roof. For a automobile that’s at all times been about wind-in-your-hair thrills, the RF provides some additional comfort however removes the 360-degree views you get with the convertible.

Is it price the additional cash over the usual MX-5?

How a lot does the Mazda MX-5 RF value?

You pay a penalty for the power-folding roof, to the tune of $4310. The bottom MX-5 RF is priced at $42,770 earlier than on-road prices, or $47,108 drive-away primarily based on a New South Wales postcode.

An computerized transmission provides one other $2000, and whereas most paint finishes are no-cost choices there are a trio of metallic finishes – Zircon Sand, Soul Crimson Crystal, and Machine Gray – that entice a $595 surcharge.

Whereas they’re fixed-roof coupes, the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 are probably the most direct rivals for the MX-5. A base handbook GR86 is $43,240 earlier than on-roads, and a base handbook BRZ is $40,290 earlier than on-roads.

What’s the Mazda MX-5 RF like on the within?

For a automobile within the traditional roadster mould, the MX-5’s inside feels appropriately designed – however on this period of smartphones and better connectivity, it has fallen behind.

Cabin storage is abysmal, and that’s most noticeable once you simply need to plug in your telephone to make use of smartphone mirroring.

There’s nowhere to even hold a telephone safely – it juts out of the area of interest on the base of the centre stack and will get in the best way of the shifter, and can simply slide proper out.

The cup holders are additionally successfully behind you, leaving you to drape the cable throughout the cabin. I simply ended up getting my passenger to carry onto my telephone.

There’s no glove compartment, both, nor are there bottle holders within the doorways.

There’s a centre console bin however you’d be fortunate to suit a pockets in there, whereas the lockable storage compartment behind the seats can also be small and awkward to succeed in. There’s a small area of interest constructed into the passenger aspect of the centre console, however we will’t think about what you’d put in there.

It’s worthwhile to plug your telephone in to make use of Android Auto (solely Apple CarPlay is wi-fi), and whereas the dated MZD-Join system has extra contact performance than the newer Mazda Join system in autos like the three, it doesn’t have sufficient.

You possibly can solely use the contact performance whilst you’re parked, and whereas we love a rotary dial the MX-5’s is each awkwardly positioned and infuriating to make use of with smartphone mirroring. Typically it’s simpler to the touch a display screen to regulate one thing moderately than use a rotary dial, even in a driver-focused, handbook sports activities automobile.

The MZD-Join system can also be laggy. Flip off the automobile with Android Auto on and swap it again on together with your telephone unplugged and it’s a must to undergo via a protracted loading display screen. Whereas we’re moaning, the graphics are dated, too.

The MX-5’s cabin does a lot proper, nevertheless. Most switchgear falls neatly handy, and the analogue dials are clear and easy to learn.

The dashboard is completed fully in onerous plastic, however stitching particulars in addition to body-colour trim and leatherette upholstery on the doorways enhance the atmosphere. All the pieces feels stable and well-built, too.

You grip a steering wheel that’s each tactile, due to its leather-based wrapping, and well-sized.

The seats are additionally wonderful. They’re surprisingly snug and supportive, and regardless of being low the MX-5 is simple to get out and in of.

A few different minor complaints: there’s no seize deal with for the passenger, and the sound system is common at finest – it’s essential to get the GT to attain an upgraded nine-speaker Bose audio system.

Open the boot and also you’ll discover a pretty deep however small space for storing measuring simply 127 litres in quantity. You possibly can match an in a single day bag in right here, however don’t even take into consideration attempting to shove a suitcase in right here.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

With the bottom 1.5-litre engine being axed in 2022, all MX-5 fashions include the beforehand elective naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 135kW of energy at 7000rpm and 205Nm of torque at 4000rpm.

That’s down fairly a bit from the 174kW/250Nm outputs of the newest BRZ and GR86, although they weigh over 100kg extra.

The MX-5’s engine is mated to both a six-speed handbook or six-speed computerized transmission. All fashions are rear-wheel drive.

I constantly noticed gas economic system within the low sevens, and over the course of every week – which included loads of freeway driving but additionally some spirited jaunts within the mountains – I recorded total consumption of seven.2L/100km. The official declare is 6.9L/100km.

The MX-5 requires 95 RON premium unleaded gas.

How does the Mazda MX-5 RF drive?

The RF’s roof actually does take away from the traditional convertible really feel of the MX-5. The buttresses behind you mess with visibility, and you are feeling extra hemmed in.

And for what? The cabin nonetheless will get fairly boomy at freeway speeds and you’ll nonetheless hear wind noise across the mirrors, so it’s not prefer it turns into the image of quietude with a tough high.

The common MX-5 Roadster’s comfortable high could require handbook operation but it surely’s fairly simple to drag up or put down. The RF’s roof requires solely the contact of a button, however you’ll be able to solely function it at speeds of as much as 10km/h. At the least it takes solely 13 seconds.

Don’t make the error we did and attempt to shortly do it at a crimson mild – you’ll hit 10km/h shortly and chimes will blare at you such as you’re in a fighter jet that’s been struck by enemy hearth.

It’s an excellent factor the MX-5 has commonplace blind-spot monitoring, because it has blind spots you possibly can lose a truck in.

There are two colleges of thought with the MX-5: people who consider all you want is a comparatively low-output naturally-aspirated engine to have enjoyable, and those that clamour for extra energy.

The chassis genuinely feels prefer it might deal with extra energy, however I aspect extra with these within the first camp. You possibly can have a lot enjoyable wringing out the atmo engine and climbing via the gears.

The MX-5 isn’t what we’d name fast – we’d say it has “adequate” energy, very similar to a GR86 or BRZ.

You possibly can nonetheless provoke some good, managed oversteer when you push it, and the load distribution is great. It feels light-weight, balanced and tossable, similar to an MX-5 ought to.

The handbook has an important shift motion, feeling good and tight. The clutch pedal additionally has an excellent weighting to it.

I proceed to be flummoxed by individuals who purchase computerized MX-5s, the automotive equal of carrying sneakers to the seashore. When you’ve bought criminal knees, you get a go. In any other case, purchase the handbook!

The steering is properly weighted and communicative, with loads of street really feel, and the wheel feels simply the suitable dimension. The pedals really feel slightly offset and there’s a barely intrusion into the motive force’s footwell, however you get snug fairly shortly.

The suspension tuning additionally doesn’t masks what’s occurring beneath the automobile. That’s not a criticism, as certainly the MX-5 by no means feels harsh. However the automobile is small, sits fairly low and is kind of firmly suspended, so you’ll be able to actually really feel the topography of the street floor.

Round city, it proves usually snug. Even driving throughout tram tracks and floor adjustments, the MX-5 is kind of pliant. You received’t really feel a lot in the best way of jolts and crashes on this automobile.

The RF’s roof carries little weight penalty: it weighs simply 27kg greater than the equal comfortable high variant.

Whereas we don’t suppose the MX-5 wants extra energy (or a turbocharger) to supply thrills, the atmo engine might use some work within the sound division.

It revs as much as a 7500rpm redline, but it surely will get mighty raucous. Basically, this sounds similar to a Mazda 3, and due to this fact doesn’t sound significantly sporty or sonorous.

What do you get?

MX-5 RF highlights:

• Restricted-slip differential
• Kinematic Posture Management
• 17-inch black metallic alloy wheels
• 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired, wi-fi Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• 6-speaker sound system
• Automated LED headlights
• LED tail lights
• LED daytime working lights
• Rain-sensing window wipers
• Gloss black powered aspect mirrors
• Black material upholstery
• Local weather management air-conditioning
• Cruise management
• Leather-based-wrapped gear shift knob
• Leather-based-wrapped handbrake deal with
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• One-touch down energy home windows
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Push-button begin

The mid-range GT mannequin provides niceties like leather-based upholstery, heated entrance seats, computerized high-beam, keyless entry and a nine-speaker Bose sound system, whereas the flagship GT RS provides Bilstein dampers and four-piston Brembo entrance brakes.

Is the Mazda MX-5 RF secure?

The Mazda MX-5 has a five-star security ranking from ANCAP, primarily based on testing carried out in 2016. It scored 35.20 out of 37 towards older standards.

The next security options are commonplace:

• Entrance and aspect airbags
• AEB low velocity
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane departure warning
• Driver consideration monitoring
• Reversing digital camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Site visitors signal recognition
• Hill-start help
• Seatbelt warning
• Tyre strain monitoring

How a lot does the Mazda MX-5 RF value to run?

The MX-5 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

It requires servicing each 12 months or 15,000km, with Mazda having just lately prolonged intervals from 10,000km.

The primary 5 companies are capped at $337, $442, $418, $442 and $475.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Mazda MX-5 RF

The MX-5 stays simply as charming as ever, even arising on eight years after the launch of the present ND technology.

It’s completely partaking to drive, with communicative steering, a pointy shifter, and terrific dealing with.

Infotainment and cabin storage are weak factors, however these aren’t precisely disqualifying. Even when the MX-5 was half nearly as good as it’s, what different small, rear-wheel drive convertible are you going to purchase at this worth level? Spoiler alert: there aren’t any.

However for our cash, we’d follow the usual Roadster. The RF’s thick buttresses not solely impede visibility, they actually detract from the traditional roadster thrills of the MX-5.

Our recommendation? Pocket the financial savings and go for the traditional soft-top.

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