The Miata rewards drivers who understand the concept of smartly carrying speed through a perfectly carved corner. The 2016 edition actually has less power—a 12-hp reduction to 155 hp—from its new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. But because peak power comes at lower engine revs, and the gear ratios are perfectly spaced, the Miata feels quicker. Shifts come with a mere flick of a wrist, reminding you of the disappearing joys of driving a manual.
Although Mazda carved out more space inside the cabin, you still wear the Miata like a worn-in pair of skinny jeans. Taller drivers might not fit this particular cut. The net-structured seatbacks’ shape, and lack of lumbar support, must have been approved by Torquemada. And extracting oneself—especially those who wear miniskirts—is something best done in private. But the manual top is easy to drop and retrieve from the driver’s seat.
The lack of space inside results in some packaging challenges. It's too easy to bonk the console-mounted control knob for the complicated Mazda Connect infotainment system when shifting. And the removable cup holders are a contortionist’s dream, located behind your elbow.
For such a small car, the ride is tolerable. But with any routine commute longer than a half-hour comes the realization that the wind noise and engine’s roar are deafening.
But these complaints void the whole Weltanschauung of the Miata. It is the last truly affordable sports car, a wind-in-hair experience that defies all the buzz-kill metrics.
So what if your ears are aching and you need to get out and stretch every hour or so? You just perfectly clipped the apex of that decreasing-radius hairpin and are deliciously carrying peak horsepower into the next straightaway. And you are laughing. Oh, are you laughing.
—Mark Rechtin
