2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring

Last decadeI’ve had the privilege of driving hundreds of different media vehicles. Most of them have been positive experiences. Several have stood out in terms of exterior styling, interior amenities, acceleration, sportiness, or a combination of those traits. Some have changed my life, like the first Jeep I ever drove off-road. Only one has made me an evangelist: the Mazda MX-5 Miata. If you haven’t experienced Mazda’s iconic roadster, I’ll tell you what I would tell my younger self: drive one. And now’s a great time to do it, because it’s been updated for the 2024 model year.

The current fourth-generation Miata was introduced as a 2016 model, weighing less than the outgoing model (NC), with a new design that elegantly balances tension and curvature, and a more fuel-efficient Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter I4 engine. In 2017, the Retractable Fastback (RF) model joined the lineup. The 2019 model adds 26 horsepower and 3 pound-feet of torque. Mazda has equipped the 2022 Miata with anti-roll Sport Posture Control suspension technology.

The 2024 model year gets a comprehensive cosmetic and functional update. New headlights, LED daytime running lights, and an LED light strip differentiate it from earlier ND Miatas, and new wheel designs and Aero Gray paint are available.

The interior features a revised, high-contrast instrument panel and additional center console padding. Not only did Mazda increase the size of the infotainment display to 8.8 inches, it also added Alexa for hands-free control of certain functions, such as the climate control system, radio, and more. Mazda says the electric power steering system has an updated rack with less internal friction and new software, which should provide a more defined on-center feel and greater precision when turning.

These improvements have resulted in a price increase for the 2024 model year. The entry-level MX-5 Miata Sport with a soft top and a six-speed manual transmission has seen its MSRP rise to $28,985. At the other end of the spectrum is the RF Grand Touring with a six-speed automatic transmission, which starts at $37,980. The Miata my colleague Luke and I received for this review was a soft-top Grand Touring with a six-speed manual transmission, $450 Snowflake White Pearl Mica paint, and $300 tan Nappa leather interior; with a $1,165 destination, delivery, and handling fee, the total as-tested price came to $36,200.

My introduction to the ND began when I drove the 2016 Miata. I fell in love with its looks and simplicity. After testing the 2019 RF on the country roads outside of Austin, Texas, I became even more enthusiastic and vocal about the performance and merits of the MX-5. After a few days and nights behind the wheel of the 2024 model, my love for Mazda’s modern icon became even more clear.

Yes, the 2024 Miata may offer modern comfort and convenience features, but it still has a certain rawness. For better or worse, your senses are engaged with this car. You can hear the whistling of the wind through the manual soft top and the buzz of the truck tires next to you. There’s no loss in translation as the suspension relays road information to the bottom of the driver’s seat. The steering lets you know if the road is uneven, too, so be sure to keep both hands on the wheel to keep it on. When you throw the Miata into a curve, the precise moment when the weight subtly shifts to the outside of the bend is quick but noticeable.

This purity allows you to get more with less input. You are so close to the ground, and the information sent to you by the surroundings and the car is so stimulating that it feels like you are going 10 mph faster than the speedometer shows. You won’t have You have to drive the Miata at breakneck speed to fully enjoy it, but you’ll find yourself wanting to mash the throttle, rev the engine to full speed, and shift through gears again and again. When you do, you feel completely absorbed in the Miata’s power, and there’s a satisfying feeling in knowing you’re not giving up any of it.

Of all the cars I’ve ever driven, none is as crisp and direct as the ND Series Miata. It changed the way I think about cars and vehicle dynamics. Whether you’re a muscle car enthusiast or a sports sedan fan, if you’ve never driven a Miata before, you owe it to yourself to test drive one.