History/Overview
Mazda's MX-5 has had the small roadster market nearly to itself since 1989 and while four generations later the open-top car is still the go-to choice for drivers wanting a reasonably affordable sports car, the brand understands that not everyone wants a soft-roof convertible. Enter in the latest generation the MX-5 RF, for Retractable Fastback, that has a hard top instead of soft, opening in an attention-getting mechanical symphony that should never lose the charm of seeing it in action.
What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year
Just a few years after an engine refresh that added more RPM and more power, the MX-5 RF sees no significant changes this year. GT models pick up wireless Apple CarPlay, likely appreciated given the small cabin.
Available Trims
For 2021, the Mazda MX-5 RF is offered in GS-P, GT, and 100th Anniversary Edition trims. A 2.0L 181 hp four is standard as is a six-speed manual with a six-speed automatic at no extra charge.
Standard Features
GS offers 17-inch alloys and a glass rear window along with LED lights front and rear. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included on a 7.0-inch colour touchscreen with a six-speaker stereo including driver headrest speakers. Cloth manual-adjust seats are standard. Driver assistance features include blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, smart city brake support, lane departure warning, and high beam control. Keyless entry and start are also included.
GS-P offers 17-inch alloys and LED lights front and rear. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on a 7.0-inch colour screen. Bose nine-speaker audio with driver and passenger headrest speakers as well as heated seats and mirrors and grey stitching for the black cloth seats are included. Manual transmission cars get a sport suspension with Bilstein shocks, a strut tower bar, and limited-slip rear differential. The GS-P has proximity key and push-button start, while driver assistance features include blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, smart city brake support, lane departure warning, and high beam control.
GT buyers add wireless Apple CarPlay and satellite radio with SiriusXM Traffic Plus and Travel Link five-year subscriptions. Navigation is included as is automatic climate control, leather-trimmed seats, auto-dimming mirrors, adaptive front lights and traffic sign recognition. They don't get the Bilsteins, bar, or limited-slip differential of GS-P.
100th Anniversary Edition cars come exclusively in Snowflake White with Garnet Red Nappa leather seats. They also get 100th anniversary badges inside and out.
Key Options
A Sport Package on GS-P manual cars adds Brembo front brakes, 17-inch BBS forged wheels, and Recaro sport seats with Nappa leather and Alcantara trimming. Grand Sport on GT cars adds a piano-black roof, red Nappa leather seating, Brembo front brakes and 17-inch BBS alloys.
Fuel Economy
The Mazda MX-5 RF has an estimated fuel economy rating of 9.0/6.6/7.9 L/100 km city, highway, combined when paired with the automatic transmission and 9.0/7.0/8.1 with the manual. It requires premium gasoline.
Competition
With the hard roof, there aren't many competitors similar in size and mission to the MX-5. The closes would be the larger and more powerful Nissan 370Z and Toyota GR Supra, though entry-level versions of the Audi TT are likely also worth consideration.
