Mazda MX-5 1.8i

Fun in the sun – that’s the brief the MX-5 and TF both aim to fulfil. Yet their makers have followed very different approaches to achieve the same goal.

The TF and MX-5 both feature two seats, two doors and a convertible roof – although that’s where the similarities end.

On paper, the MG’s layout is much more exotic than its Japanese rival’s. With its engine in the middle driving the rear wheels, the TF has more in common with a Lotus Elise. However, when Mazda made the first MX-5 back in 1989, it looked to a different Lotus for inspiration: the Elan of the Sixties. That means you will find the engine mounted at the front, feeding power to the rear wheels.

As a result, the proportions of the Mazda are very different to the MG’s. Unlike the TF, the MX-5 has been substantially re-engineered and rebodied. Yet the designers were cautious when changing the formula, and although that doesn’t detract from the elegant shape, when the two cars are side-by-side, the compact MG cuts more of a dash. Inside, it’s a different story. While the Mazda still feels claustrophobic with the hood up, the cabin is from a different era to the TF’s. It’s easier to find a comfortable driving position, and the dashboard, switchgear and gearknob are all far more modern.

Our only criticism of the 1.8-litre MX-5’s cabin is its miserly equipment. The first absent feature is air-con. With the manual hood up, the interior gets very warm, so to make the most of your Mazda in all weathers, you will need to spend an extra £1,280 on climate control, which comes with heated leather seats. A leather steering wheel and gearknob, plus 16-inch alloys, add another £800 to the £15,750 price.

That takes the cost of the MX-5 1.8 to £17,830 – which is £1,431 more than the similarly equipped LE500. And that’s before you consider the MG’s standard hard-top. So, can the MX-5 justify the extra cost out on the road? It doesn’t take long to find out that this is one polished package.

Mazda has applied the same careful evolutionary approach to the dynamics as it did to the styling, and the MX-5 has retained the character of the original. With the long bonnet stretched out in front and a stubby gearlever, the Mazda feels special – but any inkling that it’s not a modern roadster disappears when you compare it to the MG.

Dynamically, the MX-5 is streets ahead. The steering is much sharper and more responsive, the engine is strong throughout the rev range and the transmission feels robust. In fact, the Mazda’s handling is hard for any rival to match. It’s also much more comfortable than the MG on motorway trips.

You will need to find nearly £1,500 more to enjoy your MX-5 in similar luxury to the TF LE500. But as soon as you pick up the keys, you’ll realise this is money well spent.

Details

Price: £16,550
Model tested: MX-5 1.8i Option Pack
Chart position: 1
WHY: Our favourite roadster is a top-class package that will provide a stiff challenge.

Economy

There’s no doubt the MX-5 is the better all-round car here, but buyers will have to be prepared to pay more. While the basic model is cheaper than the LE500, it does without most luxuries, including air-con. If you want as much equipment as the MG has, you’ll need to spend thousands on options. The MX-5 makes up some ground with its cleaner engine. Lower emissions and better combined economy help to reduce tax and fuel bills. Early indications are that the Mazda will be more costly to service, although the differences are minimal. The firm’s franchises have also received glowing reviews in Auto Express’s annual Driver Power survey.