Mazda MX-5 track battle: 1.5 vs 2.0, which is best?

We all know the new Mazda MX-5 is a great little car - but which model should you choose? Steve Sutcliffe puts the 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre models head-to-head in our latest track battle.

[ankbrq]

That extra revving capacity of the fizzy little 1.5 is so hilarious, cheap, fun to drive, you can push the engine every single straight you find while smiling.

[f.d.]

That's a great review. Straight, to the point. Thank you. ...test drove the 2L with the Bilstein shocks for an extended test drive of 250km through the Black Forest last summer and found the car still very civilized and not tiring at all.

[Esalandy]

Steve your enthusiasm and wisdom makes you such a pleasure to watch and learn from. Thanks!

[WTGRacing]

the way the 1.5 revs just sounds spectacular. I'd take the 1.5 with an LSD and just do a few mods for any more power.

[clairebannister]

My 1.5 Sport Nav was rolling roaded and found to be putting out 143 from factory - now 158 at 7550 rpm -( limiter at 7700) thanks to BBR Brackley. - I love it for its soft suspension - you can really lean on it on the terrible UK roads and it only weighs 975 kg. Perfect for me.

[izzatfauzimustafa]

1.5L sounds like a really wild go-kart with three pedals + manual trans that you can fully press the accelerator.

[trncr]

Price difference between the 2 versions is only 2000 euros in southern europe. With that money you get LSD, bigger wheels, stiffer suspension, engine start-stop and +30 hp (plus some different styling). However, the 2.0 has a noticeable higher consumption and is more expensive to maintain (taxes and wheels) and if you're not planning to visit the tracks or the jail for exceeding speed limits, what's the point? Plus the 1.5 revs higher, is lighter (some other reviews say that affects its braking performance) and its softer suspension setup is better for country roads... it's hard to decide which one is best, such a personal choice!

[brickmissing]

I heard the 2 litre version was an after-thought for the US market - and the extra power has a tendency to blow the transmission which was optimised for the 1.5L. Not to mention the suspension and handling was optimised for the 1.5L - so IMHO 1.5L sounds like the better option.

[enemay]

Very interesting comparison, wish you would have more of these. Comparisons that are not so obvious like say, m4 vs c63.

[dumyjobby]

i would take the 1.5. i think it just complements more the lightness of the car

[geraldselvey]

My daughter has the 1.5. Gosh it is a lovely car. I am just a bit too big and fat to get in and out gracefully but she loves it. Also in Western Australia we have fairly big open roads but the little 1.5 never feels out of its depth in fact being able to open it up most of the time is such a hoot

[johnjackson]

I think the 1.5 would be more fun on UK roads. Both cars are slow so you wont be winning drag races in them, but reving the nuts off that 1.5 sounds like alot of fun and because the power is low it gives you a reason to open it up on a regular basis :)

[SWatchik]

How many cars can you actually go WOT most the time now. 300hp + is great and all, but it's just an exercise of restraint and avoiding oversteer.

[chamade]

1.5 + mods all day. I was able to feel the difference in inertia/weight after 1 curve.

[code]

Lower weight and higher revs kinda makes the 1.5 more attractive to me. The LSD in the 2.0 might be nice, but it seems people can drive the 1.5 nicely around the track without an LSD as well.

[utubecomment]

With only 30HP difference, surely one could buy the 1.5 send it to the myriad of chipping companies, and for a few sheckles get the extra power needed! Bish bash bosh, job done, and a handful of wedge saved!

[horizon]

The 1.5L with an LSD would be a setup I'd love personally. I couldn't justify spending an extra £4k on the whole package for, let's be honest, an extra 30bhp. If I wanted a little bit of extra power, what's wrong with a remap?

[granhermanobigbro]

nice video i apreciate the work of the driver and all the people behind this test! thank you!

[m.goodpickle]

Drove one, because I owned a 2000 Miata, but settled on the Fiat 124 Spider. The Spider was somewhat softer, and and a bit quieter, and the styling more Italian. Plus, the turbo is awesome! Not knocking the MX5, but it's great to have a choice these days.

[utxex]

Please do an updated comparison with the ND2 2.0L with the extra horsepower.