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2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
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Since 1989, the compact Mazda MX-5 Miata RF has retained its simple approach to driving enjoyment. It sticks to its roots with its two-seater, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, providing drivers with a spirited driving experience.
The 2024 Mazda Miata MX-5 is offered with either a soft top or the RF-named retractable hardtop roof, which is the subject of our article.
Stay with us as we share all the 2024 Mazda Miata RF offers.
What's New for 2024?
For buyers of the 2024 MX-5 Miata RF, an updated power steering system improves stability, and the two upper trim levels, when fitted with a manual transmission, now feature an asymmetrical limited-slip differential.
New lighting elements, a refreshed front grille, and new multi-spoke wheel designs are seen on the exterior.
The cabin of the MX-5 Miata RF receives a new 8.8-inch infotainment display.
There are three trim levels in the 2024 range: the Sport, Club, and the Grand Touring.
Buyers looking for a 'Targa' roof-styled RF Mazda MX-5 Miata will need to look at the two upper trim levels, the Club and Grand Touring, to enjoy this option.
Sporty Exterior
Mazda's Kodo design philosophy is easily seen in the compact and sleek design of the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF. As Mazda's design team intended, the MX-5's body communicates a sense of fluid motion even when parked, and with its retractable roof in place, it stands out with its sporty fastback coupe silhouette.
The compact two-door classic roadster layout, combined with its relatively light curb weight, gives the MX-5 nimble handling and a thrilling driving experience.
For 2024, the MX-5 Miata RF models will get upgraded exterior trim items such as new LED headlights with daytime running light (DRL) elements plus new LED taillights. A body-colored front bumper, rear bumper, and door handles are standard across all trims.
Shaving off weight on the 2024 Miata is aided by using an aluminum hood and aluminum trunk lid. The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF's retractable hardtop design can retract in around 13 seconds.
Further exterior highlights include:
- LED taillights
- Rain-sensing variable-intermittent windshield wipers
- Solar-control/tinted windshield
- Rear-mounted mast and trunk-mounted "shark fin" antennas
- Trunk light
The color palette for 2024 includes Snowflake White Pearl and Zircon Sand Metallic, plus a new shade of Aero Gray. Machine Gray Metallic or Soul Red Crystal Metallic are available at an extra charge.
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Dimensions
The compact Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is just 154.1 inches long and has a wheelbase of 90.9 inches, which helps it handle corners like a go-kart on rails.
The 2024 Miata is 68.3 inches wide and up to 48.8 inches tall on the two RF models.
Ground clearance is just 5.32 inches, which is just right for a true road-hugging sports car.
Cargo loading and sports cars are polar opposites, and bearing this in mind, owners can expect to cram up to 4.59 cubic feet of cargo into their MX-5's trunk.
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Compact Interior
Being compact doesn't mean that buyers get shortchanged with interior features. The strictly two-seater Mazda MX-5 Miata RF pampers occupants in the two bucket seats along with plentiful standard features.
For the updated 2024 model year, the Miata's cabin is treated to additional padding on the center console along with the aforementioned larger 8.8-inch infotainment display screen.
Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto touch functionality are standard, and a new Amazon Alexa voice-activated assistant offers both convenient and safe operation with hands-free commands for the HVAC system, radio, and any other connected remote smart home devices.
Traditional and sporty-looking full instrumentation includes a now-revised instrument gauge cluster with simpler high-contrast graphics, allowing easy readability. The instrument gauges are black with white lettering, and driving enthusiasts will appreciate the tachometer, a coolant temperature gauge, and a fuel gauge.
Additional convenience equipment includes a trip computer that provides distance to empty, average fuel economy, current fuel economy, and average vehicle speed.
Further comfort and convenience features in the cabin include:
- Air conditioning
- Power windows with driver's and passenger's one-touch-down features
- Power door locks with a speed sensor
- Side window demisters
- Dual vanity mirrors
- Overhead courtesy light with dimming function
- 12-volt power outlets
- Mesh aero board wind blocker
Travel essentials are accommodated in a locking rear center console, and the two removable cup holders are perfect for holding your coffee while out on those special trips and enjoying the fresh air on some winding country back roads.
The trunk area is easily accessed with the remote trunk lid release, and a standard trunk light helps you out in the dark.
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Performance
The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is fitted with Mazda's SKYACTIV-G 2.0 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder VVT gasoline engine, producing 181 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm and 151 pound-feet of torque @ 4,000 rpm.
The fully aluminum alloy engine utilizes a high compression ratio of 13:1 with a heady 7,500 rpm redline, allowing the sporty Mazda MX-5 Miata RF to come alive when it's time for some on-road fun.
The 2024 Miata RF remains unchanged with its tried-and-trusted front midship engine layout and rear-wheel drive.
The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF uses either a Mazda SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual transmission with a short-throw shifter or an optional 6-speed Sport automatic transmission with a paddle shifter, available only on the range-topping Grand Touring trim.
Trims equipped with a manual transmission feature an asymmetrical limited-slip differential that effectively slows the inner rear wheel while in high-G cornering maneuvers, helping maintain stability and traction.
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF 0-60 Time
While Mazda USA does not provide any official 0-60 times, buyers will be pleased to know that the Miata RF is no slouch. The well-respected Car and Driver motoring team has pegged the RF's benchmark 0-60 mph time at a respectable 5.8 seconds.
Technology Features
Mazda's Kinematic Posture Control is standard, acting to suppress any unwanted body roll when cornering.
The system applies braking force to the inner rear drive wheel when sensing any overly high G-forces, helping pull the inner rear corner down, effectively suppressing body roll.
Safety Features in the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
Numerous key standard safety and driver assistance features, including disc brakes on all four corners, are equipped with four-channel Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.
Standard safety equipment, like a full suite of airbags plus side-impact door beams, is fitted.
Driver assistance features include:
- Lane Departure Warning System
- Rear View Monitor
- Engine immobilizer
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Automated emergency braking with forward-collision warning
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control.
Fuel Economy and MPG
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF models offer EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 26 / 34 mpg city/highway when fitted with a six-speed manual transmission and 26 / 35 mpg city/highway for models with an automatic transmission.
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2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Trim Levels and Pricing
As mentioned, the RF option is available at two trim levels.
Grand Touring
The GT trim starts at $38,175 MSRP and offers an optional 6-speed Sport automatic transmission with paddle shifters. However, the limited-slip diff is not available with the automatic transmission.
Exterior enhancements include auto on/off headlights with adaptive front lighting and high beam control. Rain-sensing variable-intermittent windshield wipers and body-colored heated power side mirrors are fitted.
The Grand Touring cabin adds black leather-trimmed seats or extra-cost terracotta Nappa leather. Doorsill trim plates are now finished in black with stainless steel inserts, plus an auto-dimming rearview mirror is added.
The climate control is now automatic, and a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink has been added.
The GT trim adds to the Mazda navigation system a standard SiriusXM 3-year Traffic and Travel Link subscription to enable access to current traffic information, weather, sports scores, fuel prices, and even nearby parking or parking spots by destination.
The Grand Touring trim is available in a range of six exterior colors, and the 17 x 7 aluminum alloy wheels are finished in dark silver.
Club with Brembo BBS Recaro Package
The Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Club RF trim starts at $41,795 MSRP with exclusive fitment of a manual transmission and sport-tuned suspension, complete with Bilstein dampers, a front shock tower brace to increase chassis stiffness, and the aforementioned torque-sensing limited-slip rear differential.
Buyers of the Club RF can add the BBS Recaro Package, which offers:
- Brembo® front brakes with red calipers and Mazda rear brakes with red calipers
- BBS® forged 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels in Dark Gunmetal finish
- Aero kit: Side sill extensions, rear bumper skirt in Brilliant Black
- Heated black RECARO® sports seats
The Club's exterior adds a black front air dam and a black rear lip spoiler.
Club trims feature a three-spoke steering wheel that is leather-wrapped, as well as the shift knob and parking brake handle, also recipients of the leather treatment.
Infotainment includes a Bose 9-speaker audio system with AudioPilot, driver's and passenger's headrest speakers, plus a subwoofer. Apple CarPlay is wireless, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio is standard with a 3-month subscription.
The Club rides on the standard fitment of 17 x 7 aluminum alloy wheels finished in metallic black wrapped in P 205/45 R17 high-performance tires.
Get Your Mazda MX-5 Miata RF at Central Mazda
Central Mazda's dedicated sales team is ready to show you more about the sporty 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF models.
Book a test drive of any of our brand-new inventory, certified pre-owned vehicles, or used vehicles to find your next Mazda.
