Drive Review: New Mazda MX-5 SkyActiv

It’s not what you’d call fast, neither is the newest Mazda MX-5 lavishly equipped. Spacious? Not beyond two people and a deep but small boot. The Mazda MX-5 is however sublime, a little peach of motoring passion that harks back to the very essence of a driver’s car. It’s a refreshing tonic to the rampant platform sharing and puzzling options lists.

Mazda MX-5 has been doing downsizing before it was cool. Its proportions are neatly wrapped up; shorter than a Mazda 2 and slouched much closer to the ground. The styling, roof up or down, continues Mazda’s artistry and keeps the brand’s current momentum going. Sharp and menacing at times with details tucked into pointed creases or smoothed over entirely – take the omission of a button for the boot latch as an example – yet it doesn’t over sell itself. Two small exhaust pipes and modestly sized wheels ensure that the car’s original character is still at heart.

There’s not much storage space; the lockable centre cubby is perhaps the most versatile but removing the key from the plastic housing is a nuisance. The centre bin is too small for most smart phones and there’s no glovebox but Mazda has included two cupholders which sit neatly out the way.  The leather seats are cossetting enough but any hard cornering and you might find yourself slipping their grasp. They also could sit a bit lower although given the steering wheel only has no adjustment for reach, we managed to get comfortable in less than time than most  other cars. The pedals too are offset to the right and don’t make for easy heel and toe.

I’m nitpicking here and they shouldn’t factor in your decision because the cabin is actually superbly finished given its retro look. Like all Mazdas the quality is excellent and isn’t just skin deep, absorbing vibration and noise very well or returning the same level of tactile return time and time again. There’s no compromise on the softness of the buttons or the resolution of the screen – the design has been cleverly distilled into a smaller package and can be as media rich as you’d like or stripped down two-seater.

The cloth roof adds a bit of nostalgia to the occasion. Latched manually, it takes less time than an electronic system would and although the handles feel beefy and a bit of a stretch is required to stow it in place, should easily be managed by the fairer sex.

Quicker than the Toyota 86, Mazda MX-5 toes the line between the perfect balance of power and at times, begging for more. The SkyActiv 2.0-litre engine is advanced by normally aspirated standards but does has a torque shortfall against the turbo engines – not that there’s one in MX-5’s niche. It’s a pretty good engine with strong delivery around 2500rpm but perhaps a little tight towards the top. Floor it in first or second and it will break traction…a little sideways if you provoke it enough but not enough to be scary. The noise is good too, loud on idle and fairly raspy when the cloth roof off.

The six-speed manual gearshift is firm nudges through the gates with some jerkiness sent back into the driveline. At times difficult to get smooth shifts but it’s a technique that is very much etched into the car’s naughty but nice nature.

Rarely do we come across cars with so few like for like competitors, so humble in their intentions and just simply fun to be around. It’s why the 2016 Mazda MX-5 should be in everyone’s garage – along with the previous model.