2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review
Price Range: $22,599 - $25,998





+145
Good
8.0
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
Mazda has made the 2020 MX-5 Miata virtually unassailable in the realm of fun-to-drive sports cars. In a world of ever more complex performance cars, the refreshingly pure and elemental Miata shows everyone how it's done.
2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What's new
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added to Club and Grand Touring trim levels
- Forward collision mitigation and other formerly optional driver safety features are now standard
- Other minor revisions to feature availability
- Part of the fourth MX-5 Miata generation introduced for 2016
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.66 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Carolina.
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Carolina
$155/mo for MX-5 Miata Sport
MX-5 Miata Sport
vs
$151/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See Edmunds pricing data
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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent
#9 out of 27 among Subcompact Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mazda MX-5 Miata from 2008-2022.$349/yr
vs. $416/yr
for Average Subcompact Car
for Average Subcompact Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).0.81x/yr
vs. 1.22x/yr
for Average Subcompact Car
for Average Subcompact Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).12.4%
vs. 10.1%
for Average Subcompact Car
for Average Subcompact Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Mazda MX-5 Miata Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(64%)
4(32%)
3(0%)
2(0%)
1(4%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Max-5...the last true "affordable" sports car
5 out of 5 starsDan Wells, 05/02/2018
2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
I recently purchased a slightly used (1700 miles) MX-5 GT in Soul Red with black leather. I have owned 40+ cars in my life and the Miatas and Honda S2000s I've owned have been the most fun. The MX-5 is beautiful to look at and a hoot to drive, even with the automatic. It's hard to imagine a more fun car to drive. Before purchasing it I test drove a 2009 Porsche Cayman S and can honestly … say I like driving the Miata more. It's like an eager puppy wanting you to play with it all the time. The Porsche is fairly pedestrian as were my 4 S2000s until you find a curvy road or nail the accelerator whereas the Mazda is fun at any speed on any road. This is my 3rd Miata and expect it to be as reliable as the others. I'm 6' and 210lbs. and I fit fine. It is more comfortable than all the aforementioned cars...and I'm 66 years old. If your thinking of buying a sports car you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't test drive this car. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Update 11/2/18: All is great with my MX-5. Mileage has improved to 32.5 and I've had no mechanical issues. My only complaint is the the paint on the hood chips easily. This has been an issue on the Miata forums. The thin paint coupled with the low, sloping hood are to blame.
an enjoyable ride
4 out of 5 starsChris N., 02/17/2019
2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
This is the first car that I look forward to driving every day. The small size makes it very agile and the car feels like an extension of the driver, and it's easy to ignore the compromises made. With the top down, visibility is great and the wind creates of a feeling of speed, even when driving moderately fast. With the top up the car feels cozy, but rear and side visibility are … very limited and the noise from the soft top is excessive at highway speeds. The addition of aftermarket wide-angle side mirrors, noise cancellation earbuds and a clear wind deflector (why not include it upfront?) helped. Acceleration is good with room for improvement. Fuel economy averages about 29 mpg although savings are negated by the requirement for premium gas. The ride on my Sport trim is sporty but not hard, so I am glad I didn't go for the stiffer suspension of the club. Body roll is acceptable when the electronic control is activated. The cloth seats were quite comfortable but retained moisture so I had them upholstered with marine leather - a must in a convertible. Mazda apparently also decided to punish buyers of the Sport by saving a couple of dollars on a padded armrest, but that wasn't enough for me to upgrade to the Club. I did pay $450 to get an Android Auto but ultimately found that I didn't really use it. Gear shifting is good. The entertainment system is sub-par and the speakers failed after 3 years, the first car that I have that happen. On removal, they were $5 paper speakers, so shame on Mazda for installing garbage in a $30K car. My AC had a leak that took 3 years and many trips to different dealerships to get diagnosed and fixed, and even without the leak it is pretty useless, making driving in the summer in Florida an ordeal. Overall, I am happy with the car and it remains by far my favorite vehicle but wish Mazda wasn't pennywise and cared a bit more about their drivers.
2006 MX-5 updated to 2020
5 out of 5 starsCharles, 10/21/2020
2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
What an update! Hated to trade my 2006 after 14 years but glad I did. My new 2020 GT is fantastic. Love all the tech , the increased HP, the exhaust SOUND, the ride, the look, and the drive. One feature that I was not aware of is the picture of the latest speed limit sign displayed on instrument panel. Can’t believe the MPG of 37+ combined with jackrabbit starts (0 to 60 5 seconds) and … 70 to 80mph with the top down! Only draw back is my 81 year old legs need seat all the way back to get out. Little different ride from my Genesis G-80 and GMC Sierra.
2017 MX-5 Grand Touring Automatic - Daily Driver
5 out of 5 starsTom T, 10/03/2018
2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
The neighbor's kid named the car Bob.
Machine Grey/Black Top/Tan Interior
Update: 5/13/2020 - Avg. 32.4 MPG - Daily Driver - Normal manufacturer recommended maintenance
Winter driving is excellent using Michelin X-Ice tires on 16" Wheels (one size down from stock)
No problems to report other than crappy sunvisors. Mazda should fix them they're horrible. The little car has been to … Atlanta GA, Memphis TN, Ouray CO, Santa Fe NM, Hot Springs AR, Eureka Springs AR, Madison County IA, Hermann MO, over Monarch Pass in a snowstorm, through two winters and driven daily for two years now. Nothing has broken, nothing is rattling, top is still tight and waterproof, no oil leaks, no electrical problems, and the paint is till good. I get in, start the car and drive away. I had the brakes done a couple of weeks ago and they gave me a Mazda 6 for a loaner. Beautiful car and pretty fast too but since it's just me and an occasional passenger I'll keep Bob. Nothing below 50 or 60 thousand dollars feels anywhere close to an MX-5.
I still giggle every time I drive this little car. Go drive one. Oh, and if you're going to take a long trip get some earplugs this little guy can be kind of loud at 80 MPH and above. :-)
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata, so we've included reviews for other years of the MX-5 Miata since its last redesign.
2020 MX-5 Miata Highlights
Sport
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $26,580 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 29 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $155/month |
Seating | 2 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 4.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the MX-5 Miata models:
- Blind-Spot Monitoring
- Alerts the driver of other vehicles in the Miata's blind spots with indicators mounted on the side mirrors.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Alerts the driver of cars approaching from either side of the Miata's rear bumper when in reverse.
- Lane Departure Warning System
- Warns you when you unintentionally drift out of your lane without activating a turn signal.
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