Delivering a true and exhilarating drive, the 2019 Mazda MX-5 soft top convertible is the best-selling two seat roadster of all time. The 2019 model has come a long way from its Miata roots and now offers all the latest technology and convenience features in the same small package as before. Following in Mazda’s KODO design principles, the 2019 MX-5 truly showcases the curves and lines of the in-motion philosophy while flowing out as an extension of the driver.
BOLD EXTERIOR
The bold appearance of the exterior of the 2019 Mazda MX-5 can be attributed to the overall shape consisting of rounded curves and sharp accent lines that come together into a uniquely sleek yet bold design. Black coloured accents on the side mirrors, rims, grille, fog light well and automatic convertible soft top (which converts in seconds at the touch of a button) all help to highlight the impressive modern exterior.
While the overall shape is still the classic Miata of the past, the 2019 MX-5 showcases modern design cues such as the sleek and narrow headlights, large front grille and round tail lights that are in line with the rest of the Mazda lineup.
EFFICIENT INTERIOR
Based on the exterior, you should be able to guess that the interior of the 2019 Mazda MX-5 is quite small. For anyone over 6 feet this would not be an ideal vehicle as interior space is quite cramped with minimal room for seat adjustments. The small interior space also translates into a lack of storage spaces for cups, phones and other items. There is a lockable compartment in the middle as well as the glove compartment and the center console’s armrest retracts to reveal two cup holders.
Despite the lack of space, the 2019 MX-5 does a great job of providing the essentials. The interior design and quality has come a long way as well, showcasing some red leather stitching and a touchscreen display coming out of the dash. All the typical interior features can be found and the overall design is pleasing to the eye, while decent quality materials adorn the dash and center console.
PERFORMANCE & DRIVE
The 2019 Mazda MX-5 is all about the driving experience, delivering superb performance, handling and precision. All trims are equipped with a 2.0L four cylinder engine outputting 181hp and paired with either a six speed manual or automatic transmission. While this may not seem like a lot, you need to keep in mind the MX-5 is a small and lightweight two passenger sports car.
Driving the MX-5 is what this car is all about. The peppy engine accelerates you at stimulating levels and the manual transmission provides a very responsive ride. The low center of gravity allows the MX-5 to stick to the ground in turns and handle very well. The near perfect balance of 50/50 weight distribution also creates some great handling and responsiveness through turns and other maneuvers.
The 2019 MX-5 is also equipped with all the latest top of the line safety features including blindspot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, high beam control and smart city brake support. There are also some great new additions to the safety feature department including adaptive front lighting that helps to light around corners when turning, traffic sign recognition which displays for the driver’s reference and also a wide angle rear view camera to see much more when reversing.
On top of the acceleration, the loud and rumbling sounds that the engine outputs is pleasing to the ear. However, this small engine REVs at 3,000 RPM at 100km/hr making for loud interior noise on long highway drives. The 2019 Mazda MX-5 sounds like a true sports car and combined with a zippy acceleration and the open top, one can’t help but smile while driving this car.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The 2019 Mazda MX-5 is definitely a car for drivers and most likely will not work as a daily driver because of its two seat capacity, minimal interior room and lack of trunk space. On the other hand if you’re thinking of the 2019 MX-5 for a thrilling ride, then it’s a great option that delivers on all fronts fo the performance category and has a price tag starting at only $32,900 for the soft top and $39,900 for the hard top version.
