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The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a lightweight two-seater sports car that rewrote the affordable sports car handbook way back in 1989. Small sporty roadsters back then were seen as relics from the past.
Mazda has a habit of doing things that other manufacturers steer clear of. Mazda designers drew inspiration from small British sports cars such as the Lotus Elan, which saw the small two-seater Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster go on to become the world's best-selling sports car ever.
The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a fourth-generation model that has thankfully stuck to its original reason for existence: to be a driver's machine. The MX-5 continues to feature the same two-seater, front-midship engine, and rear-wheel drive layout that was first introduced in the original NA-generation models.
Thankfully for lovers of the simplicity of the MX-5 Miata, Mazda has stuck to its guns and resisted the urge to cram more and more features into this model that would distract from the purity of the driving experience that the MX-5 is renowned for.
Want to learn more about this iconic little roadster? Read on as we take a detailed look at what's on offer for buyers of the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
What's New for 2023?
The Mazda MX-5 is a carry over from the 2022 model year and a single change is seen which is the addition of the Zircon Sand exterior paint finish as a new color option along.
Three trim levels are on offer, available with either a soft top or the RF-named retractable hardtop.
Sporty Exterior
The latest 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata features a sleek exterior design that embodies Mazda's KODO design philosophy. The use of lightweight materials, including a lightweight monocoque unibody construction with a backbone frame, gives this sports car exceptional handling. These engineering choices perfectly complement its sporty appearance.
The 2023 MX-5 is loaded with modern features such as slim horizontal leaflike LED headlights, daytime running lights, and LED tail lights flanking the gaping front grille.
Standout key exterior trim appointments include:
- Black power side mirrors
- Body-colored front bumper and rear bumper
- Body color door handles
- Solar-controlled/tinted windshield.
The 2023 MX-5 Miata lineup features a standard lightweight aluminum hood and aluminum trunk lid to keep weight down and also aiding in keeping the Mazda's center of gravity low with lighter materials sitting on the higher areas of the vehicle.
Customers purchasing a convertible trim will have their cars fitted out with a black cloth soft top.
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Dimensions
The compact roaster measures 154.1 inches long and 68.3 inches wide without the exterior mirrors folded out. The low-slung MX-5 is 48.6 inches high and hugs the road with a ground clearance of just 4.9 inches.
The MX-5 has a wheelbase of 90.9 inches and a curb weight of only 2,745 pounds.
MX-5 lineup makes use of a single engine fitment, the Mazda SKYACTIV-G 2.0 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder VVT engine that produces 181 horsepower @ 7000 rpm and torque of 151 pound-feet @ 4,000 rpm.
The MX-5 uses a front midship engine layout powering the rear wheels through a SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual transmission that is operated with a short-throw shifter.
Fuel Economy and MPG
The MX-5's 2.0-liter engine offers EPA fuel-economy ratings of 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway when fitted with a manual transmission and 26 mpg city and 35 mpg highway when fitted with the automatic transmission.
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata 0-60 Time
No official Mazda 0-60 mph acceleration figures are available; however, numerous test figures from reputable publications such as Car and Driver give the Mazda MX-5 fitted with a soft top a 0 to 60 mph time of just 5.7 seconds, with the RF trims fitted with the slightly heavier retractable hardtop, getting to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds.
Technology Features
The 2023 Miata is standard with cruise control, push-button start, a tilt and telescoping steering column plus Mazda's advanced keyless entry. Driver instrumentation consists of classic-looking black gauges with white lettering that includes a tachometer, a coolant temperature gauge, and a fuel gauge.
Infotainment comprises a seven-inch full-color touchscreen with an AM/FM audio system and six speakers. Hands free phone and audio streaming capability is on offer with Bluetooth.
Steering-wheel-mounted audio, phone, and cruise controls plus Apple CarPlay