Overall Average Rating: 86.2%
Position in the Top 100 cars: 33rd

It may well be the world’s most successful sports car, but it’s not without compromises. However, the MX-5’s poor scores for practicality and comfort can be accounted for by its very nature – this is a roadster with a tiny boot, after all.

Where it counts, the Mazda is a triumph. Top 10 ratings for brakes and handling are superb, while 13th for reliability is an enviable result.

Manufacturer Verdict (Position: 10th)

it’s fallen one place, yet Mazda is still in the top 10. The blot in its copybook is 23rd position for running costs, although it’s offset by a fifth-placed rank in both the handling and braking categories.

Overall Average:
4.271
85.42%
40th in Driver Power 2010
Owners who would buy a Mazda MX-5 again
4.45
89%
7th in Driver Power 2010
Owners who would buy another Mazda MX-5 again
4.4
88%
64th in Driver Power 2010
Comfort:
4.038
80.76%
63rd in Driver Power 2010
Practicality:
3.375
67.5%
77th in Driver Power 2010
Ride quality:
4.038
80.76%
36th in Driver Power 2010
Ease of driving:
4.375
87.5%
51st in Driver Power 2010
58-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

It is exciting and a pleasure to drive. Obviously it is impractical but I was surprised how much it can actually carry in the boot and its quoted overall fuel consumption of 37 MPG is totally on the button. My first annual inspection (12500 miles) is now due and I was pleased to discover that it is only going to cost £160

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
03-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

Fun Fun Fun more so when theres Sun Sun Sun. Find a road with a few bends and no pot holes and it puts a smile on my face every time, looks fab too. P.S the battery died, that was it, took 30 mins to change myself with a new gel type one :0)

Comfort:
5/5
 Practicality:
4/5
 Ride Quality:
2/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
T-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

Brilliant car for the money, great fun to drive, more practical than expected, very reliable, only dissapointment is wind and road noise especially on motorways and engine noise is also louder than expected. & roof seal occasionally leaks!

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
4/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
Other-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

Its been a dream to own for 14 years, and apart from wear and tear, vandalism and idiots crashing into it when parked, nothing has ever gone wrong with it. It's a joy to drive and a wonderful piece of engineering.

Comfort:
5/5
 Practicality:
3/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
56-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Excellent once suspension was sorted. Manufacturer's optional lower springs and a geometry check sorted skittish ride. Improvement in all ways on previous model apart from handling.

Comfort:
5/5
 Practicality:
4/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
V-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

The very best sports car for the price avaliable today, love it to bits, from the sporty ride, to the British Racing Green, cream leather, wooden steering wheel styling.

Comfort:
5/5
 Practicality:
5/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
04-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

I wanted modern Triumph Spitfire.

Had a '93 Honda CRX - definitely 90's model.

Moved on to '04 MX5. Welcome to the 21st Century! Love it :)

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
55-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Great car,fun,practical,can drive it every day,does exactly what I expected it to do,puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
4/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
W-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

In ten years the only failure has been a coil pack. Still on the original clutch and cat. I fully intend to keep it until I die!

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
03-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

It's a car which I just love to look at, and it's a joy to drive, too. It may not be totally practical, but I really don't care!

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
3/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
57-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Great little roadster made even better by the fact that it`s a hard top convertible so more practical than the soft top.

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
4/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
56-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

when the sun shines its absolutely brilliant!. However when you have to be at work at 6am and its icey not so good!

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
3/5
56-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

It is my first sports car and I love it. Driving it, whether withthe hood up or down makes me feel special.

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
3/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
05-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

A lovely car for those who don't NEED a car as a practical workhorse.
Makes me laugh out loud.

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
1/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
08-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

An absolute joy to own and drive yet not pretencious. Practicality is good for ttype of car.

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
3/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
56-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

For it's genre I think that it is the best but the Mazda dealer network let the car down

Comfort:
3/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
57-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

The MX5 is brilliant! Great to drive, great styling, great controls, it's all great.

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
3/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
Other-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Back to basics no frills motoring that leaves you grinning like a cheshire cat.

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
Other-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Vlaue for money teh MX5 is hard to beat for fun to drive convertible experience

Comfort:
3/5
 Practicality:
5/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
06-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

sports car not really expected to be practical so considering, it's great

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
4/5
 Ride Quality:
5/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
09-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

I love it despite it being a bit impractical and a bit skittish at times

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
3/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
Y-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

Lovely - but difficult to get in and out of (that's my age!)

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
59-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

Easy driving when you want it, and fun driving all the time.

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
07-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Fun to drive in summer but a bit of a mare in ice and snow!

Comfort:
3/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
R-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

Great car but now I have a family not very practical!

Comfort:
2/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
58-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Excellent fun.
Quite practical for a 2 seater!

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
3/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
S-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

Mid life crisis, what crisis!!

Great fun

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
Other-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

it's not the most practical,but it's fun

Comfort:
3/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
R-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

good value for money

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
3/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
Other-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

Brilliant little car

Comfort:
3/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
07-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

perfect roadster

Comfort:
3/5
 Practicality:
3/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

It is brilliant

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
3/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
X-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Good fun car

Comfort:
3/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
Other-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

its awesome

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
5/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5
T-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

great fun!

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
3/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
54-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Great fun

Comfort:
3/5
 Practicality:
1/5
 Ride Quality:
2/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
09-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

very good

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
R-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

fantastic

Comfort:
3/5
 Practicality:
3/5
 Ride Quality:
5/5
 Ease of driving:
4/5
59-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

fun

Comfort:
4/5
 Practicality:
2/5
 Ride Quality:
4/5
 Ease of driving:
5/5