2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata (Grand Touring) - POV Review

MSRP: $33,050
MPG: 26 city / 34 highway
Horsepower: 181 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Engine: 2.0 L 4-cylinder
Curb weight: 2,341 lbs
Exterior Color: Zircon Sand Metallic
Tires: Bridgestone Potenza S001 - 205/45R17 84W

The audio in this video was recorded with in-ear binaural microphones, headphones are highly recommended!

Here's the equipment I use (with affiliate links):

I'm also the producer for the Winding Road YouTube Channel:

Thanks for watching!

[Saboda]

You know, there’s just something about the Miata. Greater than the sum of its parts, it has a quality that can’t quite be measured in specs or numbers. I know of no other car that gives whoever’s driving it more smiles, giggles and laughs. Other cars generate awe, respect and excitement, but the Miata? FUN! It’s gotta be The World’s Happiest Car.

[matthewhernandez]

Rented one from Turo in June and fell in love with it. Just got one last week and it’s been a blast driving so far.

[AndreThompson]

I am living the dream right now. I have my Soul Red Crystal '22 Club softtop and just flew to Portland and drove 615 miles back to the Bay Area in my new-to-me 2018 GTI SE finished in amazing Great Falls Green. Both are 6 speed manuals and I couldn't be happier. The Miata has a GoodWin Roadster Sport Twin Tip exhaust (a must have mod IMO), and the GTI will have a tune and an intake. 🤌🤌
Thanks, Chris for all your insight on helping me have the ultimate 2 car fleet (Wife drives an ID4 AWD Pro S).

[losermantega]

Put down a deposit on a new manual grand touring rf in soul crystal red last week! Been wanting one since 2017 (was in undergrad) and told myself I would get one if I went to grad school. 5 years later, an MA under my belt, I am finally financially capable to pick one up :))

Took a couple weeks, but was able to negotiate a few thousand under msrp with 0% apr with the dealership. Was going to wait for nd3, but the deal was pretty good.

[johnnoob]

I first came across this channel in 2021 while researching the ND2 MX5; a few months later, I bought one. I still get excited to watch thetopher's annual reviews and drives, and I can never resist going for a drive after!

[BlackNAVYAmericanVET]

“You can make A MILLION MX5 videos”; and I’ll watch all MILLION. LOVE YOUR VIDEOS BRO 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽💯💯💯

[migaisnotacat]

Absolutely LOVE all the Miata videos recently. Haven't actually seen the zircon sand metallic paint in-person but on video it's a nice looking color.

[djr]

I can never own any of the cars you show Topher, but thanks to your videos I feel like I am driving these beautiful cars. Drive safe. 👍🏽

[dawnpoint]

All I did was sit in one and was immediately endeared by how the engine shakes the car. Like a jet ski. No isolation between you and the mechanical bits. I love that visceral feeling.

[jayjacaty]

My Dad owned a ND1 that we autocrossed together. For his birthday, I got him a performance oriented alignment (zero toe, but close to maximized stock negative camber). It transformed the handling at the limit. The stock alignment with only 7k miles was all over the place. Best $75 purchase, ever.

[muhammadkhan]

Great video as always! So I actually own the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring right now, and before I had the 2022 Subaru BRZ Limited. I'm very fortunate to have driven them both as a daily. I put decent enough miles on both cars to have a proper ownership experience.

In my opinion, I have to say that when it comes to the manual transmission and the driving experience, I found the MX-5 better when compared to the BRZ. The MX-5 is fast enough, fuel efficient, smooth manual transmission, and better looking as well. And honestly the storage space is not too bad either, I can put my carry-on in the truck whenever I'm traveling and I still have some space left for my backpack and other small items. There's also a storage box behind both seats, which alot of people forget about lol. The center console is as big as a glove box which is great storage space as well. Driving this car is so much fun, it revs up to 7k RPM and with the top down you can hear that nice exhaust note. With the top up I did notice some rattling noises which is to be expected with a soft top convertible so that's fine.

Some Cons of MX-5 in my opinion:
1. Honestly there's no exaggeration of how annoying that screen is. It's not a touch screen, it's button operated only and I never got used to it.
2. The cup holders are not deep enough so a standard water bottle keeps falling out when you brake or accelerate too hard.
3. The rear-view mirror is VERY big for the size of the car. It is so big that I found out an SUV was able to hide behind the mirror while looking ahead. When you sit in the car, that rear-view mirror blocks a good portion of the front view, so you have to duck down and make sure there's no cars hiding behind the mirror. I'm 6ft tall but even still they don't need to put such a massive rear-view mirror on a small car.

The BRZ is also a great car and there's no denying that. BRZ corners really well and is a very fun car to practice your burnouts and drifting. It's more spacious and faster than the MX-5. I also sometimes miss that boxer engine sound. It did not have the traditional boxer rumble but it still sounded great.

BRZ is a car if you want to have some track/cornering fun, have back seats for more space, and/or want a hardtop.

MX-5 is a car that you just want to cruise in. It's a car to enjoy your drive and personally I would pick the MX-5 over the BRZ if space is not an issue.

Both were great daily drivers and I also used both during snow. With snow/winter tires you will be fine. Both of the cars are fine for all-four seasons and both were fantastic to drive!

[EricAtMazda]

Drove one my first day selling them last year, ordered one this year, it’s supposed to arrive in 3 days. They’re awesome!

[pascutia]

Rented one on Turo in San Diego a few months ago. Incredibly fun to drive, and there’s such a good feeling knowing you can push it and there’s not much to break on these. I ran out of courage way before running out of grip on curvy mountain roads. Just the right amount of power, and regardless of how hard you drive it you’re still averaging 30 mpg😂. My only minor complaint was the steering being ever so slightly numb (still very precise), but it was an ND1 and I hear the ND2 got better steering feedback. Additionally, even though it was on the sport suspension, the ride quality was still very decent. Just a very happy, fun car to throw around :)

[amrocko]

Test drove one of these a few weeks ago and was very impressed. Just wish you could get it in British racing green.

[kwes]

I come back to this video every couple months just to experience the Miata. Saving up to plop down cash on a '24 Miata. Can't wait!

[winddealer]

Great choice for the test drive, great video and audio. We have a 2022 RF Black as a weekend driver. Todays it's birthday, we love it. Original owners of an ND-A. Best smiles per mile! 6'1" and fits like a glove.

[lordcvs]

Topher you must have read my mind man, I've been heavily looking into Miatas the past couple of days and now you've dropped another POV banger for me to watch! You're the best, keep it up bro!!

[Erkkremlinklum]

I was ripping on some twisty back roads last night with the top down in my nd2 and it was absolutely glorious

[carlosbrigett]

I had a Goodwin RoadsterSport Race muffler waiting for my new 2023 MX-5 the day I bought it.

[infelicitas]

my first manual experience was in one of these, Only stalled it once