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Mazda MX-5 2.0i 2009 road test report

2.0i 2009

It’s official – the MX-5 has been at the top of its game for two decades. It’s just over 20 years since the original small sports car was unveiled at the Chicago Motor Show in 1989 and since then it’s seen three major revamps, all of which have been successful and resulted in over 850,000 sales across the globe. The latest offering has been blessed with a mild facelift and a few tweaks elsewhere, but is it still the best drive for the price? Read on to find out.

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Performance

Pop the MX-5’s bonnet and it’s the same story as usual. Small engine, moderate power and twin overhead camshafts that help it rev to the sky. Punters still get the same choice of a modest 124bhp 1.8 or a more powerful 159bhp 2.0-litre option – the latter being our choice as it’s torquier with 139lb ft and comes with the sublime six-speed manual gearbox. The 2.0-litre unit has been fettled with by Mazda to free up an extra 500rpm at the top end, so it now revs to the dizzy heights of 7,500rpm. Engineers have also developed a new induction sound enhancer, which makes the pleasant thrum from the exhaust a little louder and even more pleasing to the ear. 0-62mph is disposed with in 7.6 seconds and the MX-5 will carry on until 132mph. These aren’t record-breaking figures, but it has enough pace to outdo your average motor. The real joy is that you don’t have to scream along at illegal speeds to have fun, as it’s such a pleasure to drive.

Ride & Handling

Put simply, nothing in the MX-5’s price range can touch it in terms of handling capabilities – unless, of course, you plump for a low-spec Caterham, but these are for the brave, the bold and minimalists only. The chassis is superb, communicating the weight distribution perfectly to the driver, and the double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension is firm and precise without being uncomfortable. Leave the electronic driving aids on and it’s difficult to upskittle the MX-5, though there is a touch of oversteer if you give it full beans on a slippery corner – it’s sufficiently reigned in by the dynamic stability control (DSC) though. Turn them off and you’ll get all the raw cornering and sideways ability of a short-wheelbase rear-wheel-drive sports car at your disposal. Terrific fun.

Build Quality & Reliability

The little Mazda might not be as sumptuous as rivals like the Audi TT cabriolet on the inside, but it costs a whole lot less and, in addition to that saving, you get a simple but effective dash, with a quality finish to the plastics. What’s more, the MX-5 has never been criticized for its reliability, as it has a virtually infallible record, which not only puts fellow sporting cars to shame, but also gives most mainstream models a run for their money.

Safety & Security

Small sports car it may be, but the MX-5 is far safer now than it has ever been and puts the early spartan models to shame. DSC is standard on 2.0-litre models, but it can be switched off if you want to be silly. The body and underpinnings are fabricated from high-strength steel, so the Mazda is much safer in a shunt than ever before. An alarm, immobiliser and central locking are all part of the package, too.

Space & Practicality

Don’t expect bags of room inside the MX-5. The model has grown with age though, so it’s much more spacious than its forbears and has moved the game along significantly. The 150-litre boot won’t worry a family hatch, but it’s enough for a couple of overnight bags and the essentials. The seats are snug but comfy and the cabin is roomy enough for two passengers and far from impractical with its surprisingly plentiful array of storage spaces.

Ownership & Value

There’s little the MX-5 hasn’t got going for it, save for a lack of rear seats. The latest model’s mild facelift only adds to the appeal, with its more macho looks – a bold, angular grille and shapely headlamps being the obvious changes. The only downside is the new option of a semi-automatic ‘Powershift’ gearbox, which has a soft and jerky change and isn’t nearly as pleasant as the well-established manual ‘box. Avoid that, and the MX-5 is just as much fun to drive as ever and almost untouchable by rivals in the same price bracket – you need to get to much pricier Lotus levels before the handling can be matched.

Submitted: 09/03/2009 10:08:14

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