Skip advert
Advertisement

New Mazda MX-5 RF 2018 review

The MX-5 convertible recently received a more powerful engine, and now the hard-top gets the same treatment

Overall Auto Express rating

4.5

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£2,021 off RRP*
Find your Mazda MX-5
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The Mazda MX-5 RF is treated to the same updates as the convertible, the most welcome of which is the introduction of a more powerful engine. As before, the RF is the slightly more refined option, but loses just a tiny bit of the soft-top’s sense of occasion while costing more, too. Whichever version you choose though, the MX-5 remains a wonderful sports car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Mazda does facelifts differently to pretty much every other mainstream car manufacturer. While most resign themselves to slapping a new set of headlights on the front, a new paint colour or two on the outside and a different seat trim in the cabin, Mazda focuses more on the technical and the practical.

That’s certainly the case with the updated MX-5: the 2018 model adds useful features like an adjustable steering column, and improved mobile phone connectivity. Most importantly however, it gets more powerful engines – significantly so in the case of this 2.0-litre. We loved the convertible when we drove it recently on the international launch, so how does the RF compare in the UK?

Best convertible cars 2018

Introduced a couple of years into the latest roadster’s life, the RF offers a more refined approach to the MX-5 formula. The T-bar panel hides itself away electrically behind the seats in a matter of seconds, and brings with it a little more security and rigidity. All this comes at the expense of weight, however.

The RF weighs roughly 50kg more than the drop-top, and although that’s all fairly high up in the car’s mass, it does little to harm the the car’s fantastic chassis. Drive them back-to-back and there’s a slight hint that the chassis rotates around a higher point, but it’s only something you’d notice when really pressing on.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Mx-5

2022 Mazda

Mx-5

37,138 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £16,799
View Mx-5
Mx-5

2024 Mazda

Mx-5

12,720 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £20,089
View Mx-5
Mx-5

2019 Mazda

Mx-5

21,593 milesManualPetrol2.0L

Cash £19,995
View Mx-5
Mx-5

2018 Mazda

Mx-5

41,041 milesManualPetrol2.0L

Cash £13,250
View Mx-5

The changes to the 2.0-litre petrol engine, however, are much more obvious. Lighter pistons and conrod, new camshafts, revised exhaust and throttle valves, as well as updated fuel injectors and new air intake, have resulted in an extra 23bhp. That takes the the total to 181bhp – and there’s more torque available throughout the rev range, too, with an extra 5Nm at its peak. Finally, the rev limit rises 700rpm to 7500rpm.

It all adds up to an engine with a much greater sense of urgency and excitement. While so many cars turn to turbocharging – including its sister car, the Abarth 124, the Mazda’s naturally aspirated unit baits you to rev it out at every opportunity. The throttle response is sharp, and the power builds towards the red line. The extra revs make it sound more thrilling, but a little extra parp from the exhaust still wouldn’t go amiss.

There are some other niggles to consider, however. Taller drivers might hope to sit just a touch lower, and many will wish for a little more side support from the seats. Roof down, the RF still generates quite a lot of wind noise around the buttresses – though it is more refined than both the fabric-topped model and the hard-top Abarth 124 GT.

It’s hard to argue with the fuel consumption though. Officially, the RF manages 40.9mpg, and that appears to be an entirely achievable figure in the real world. A stop/start system is now standard, which helps to save a fuel in heavy traffic.

So the biggest choice, then, is whether to go for the convertible or RF. Well, the latter is more refined at a cruise – the extra metalwork behind the seats means that much less road roar from the rear reaches the cabin. It does, however, mean that the exhaust note is a little harder to hear. And the open top feel of the convertible is reduced to little more than the feeling of opening a big sunroof.

The RF costs £1,800 more to buy than the equivalent convertible, too. It’s not a huge step to justify for those who don’t quite want to commit to the full drop-top experience, particularly when, once the PCP figures are confirmed, the two are likely to be separated by as little as £20 per month.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief reviewer

Alex joined Auto Express as staff writer in early 2018, helping out with news, drives, features, and the occasional sports report. His current role of Chief reviewer sees him head up our road test team, which gives readers the full lowdown on our comparison tests.

New & used car deals

Mazda Mx-5

Mazda Mx-5

RRP £19,825Avg. savings £2,021 off RRP*Used from £10,390
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,361 off RRP*Used from £12,300
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,895
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,685 off RRP*Used from £14,998
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025
Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model
Ferrari Amalfi - front static

Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model

A slick new look and more power are the headlines for Ferrari’s new baby, but it’s probably some simple new buttons that will get customers’ attention
News
1 Jul 2025
Geely is coming to the UK, and its assault will start with EX5 SUV
Geely EX5 - front

Geely is coming to the UK, and its assault will start with EX5 SUV

Geely has looked to Lotus to ensure it's new electric SUV lives up to our driving expectations
News
2 Jul 2025