2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Convertible

Even though it is not 100% concrete, it is still extremely likely that the 2022 model year will also feature 2 trims for the RF model – RF Club and RF Grand Touring. Unlike the regular version, the Sport trim is left off. Both the trims come in both manual and automatic transmission. The Club manual starts at $34,635, and the automatic starts at $35,235. The Grand Touring manual starts at $35,520 and the auto starts at $36,045. Bear in mind that these are the pricing for the 2021 model year. The 2022 model year might bump up the price a little, so the price is not confirmed.

When it comes to optional packages, you can consider upgrading to the Brembo/BBS Recaro Package which includes 17” BBS forged dark gunmetal wheels, Brembo front brakes, heated Recaro sports seats, Black Roof, aero kit, etc. There are other generic packages, such as weather package; appearance package for cosmetics; interior package; etc.

Which trim should you buy?

Since the Club and Grand Touring are so closely placed, we would recommend you to go with the Grand Touring. Just go all-out. Whatever trim you buy, always buy a manual Miata. An automatic Miata is blasphemous to enthusiasts. The Grand Touring will add all of the luxury options, including leather, wireless Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, etc. You can also get the Brembo/BBS Recaro package, especially if you plan to take your 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Convertible out to the track.

2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Convertible Release Date 

There is no official confirmation regarding the release date of the Miata MX-5 from Mazda but we expect the convertible to be available in the market by the end of this year. 

The 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Convertible will be powered by the naturally-aspirated 2.0L inline-4 engine that is capable of producing 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual, but it can also be had in a six-speed automatic. Power is only delivered to the rear wheels. The engine has measly figures, but the power-to-weight ratio is fantastic. The manual transmission gives you the best feeling, with very smooth and seamless transitions, and also gives you the feel of enjoying the car. 

The automatic transmission is not something to even bother with. The engine can max out at 7,000 rpm. The tiny car is fun to drive at all speeds – not just the high speed and not just the low speed. Its apt weight distribution helps in better handling and with a precise steering system, ride engagement is paramount. The RF model will make a sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in around 6 seconds flat. It reaches the quarter-mile in around 14.5 seconds. Not bad for a car at this price; and it achieves this with such a tiny engine. The top speed is capped at 140 MPH.

Despite having such a small engine, the Miata can still compete with the likes of the big American muscle cars. The Mini Cooper is the one seriously underpowered unit and it takes way longer to complete the sprint to 60 MPH taking 7.5 seconds. While all other competitors have an inline-4 unit, the Mini uses a three-cylinder engine. The Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang are more powerful than all of the rivals outputting 275 and 310 hp, respectively. 

The MX-5 will offer you 26 MPG for the city, 35 MPG for the highway, and 30 MPG for combined driving. These figures are for automatic transmission. The manual transmission will get slightly lesser figures, 26 MPG for the city, 34 MPG for the highway, and 29 MPG for combined driving. Frugal for its class, the MX-5 will be budget-friendly for everyone in every way. The tiny gas tank is 11.9 gallons, and that means the driver gets a range of 309/416/357 miles for city/highway/combined for automatic. For the manual, they get 309/404/345 miles. You can’t expect much from a car of this size.

The Mini is actually the most frugal out of them all, credits to its lesser power outputs, but the MX-5 is also close. Due to the small size of these two vehicles, the tank size is small; and hence, you get a lesser range. The American muscle cars are way more aggressive with their fuel consumption and not very pocket-friendly averaging 23 MPG each. But with the largest fuel tank, the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro manages 437 miles.

The interior of the MX-5 is made out of quality materials and will appeal to most people. The design is minimalistic and aimed at being functional rather than aesthetic. The buttons and dials are within close proximity of each other. Well, everything is within close proximity since the interior is not very wide. The hardtop roof offers better noise insulation compared to the regular soft top. As standard, the base trim will offer cloth upholstery with light gray stitching. The Grand Touring comes with black leather upholstery, with an option for Nappa leather. The Brembo/BBS Recaro package also adds Recaro sports seats. The buttons feel cheap but other than that the quality is fine.

The seating in Miata includes a 6-way driver’s seat and a 4-way passenger’s. The issue is with spacing. Tall people would find it difficult to fit inside the tiny car, with the roof up. The hardtop offers less space and practicality than the regular version. With the roof up, spacing is fine, but the Miata is still a pretty narrow car. The trunk is very impractical, being only 4.5 cubic feet in size. A couple of bags is all you can expect to fit inside this tiny Japanese car. The in-cabin storage solutions are also very small and limited, with an especially small center console storage.

The Miata has the smallest headroom out of all the four. The others offer a backseat and as impractical as they may be, they are still backseats. The cargo capacity of the MX-5 is also nowhere close to the opponents, with the Mustang offering 11.4 cu.-ft. The Mini and Ford have better rear seats in terms of comfort, and the former manages to match its competitors in terms of space, despite its shorter wheelbase. Some of the key interior features include:

• 6-way adjustable driver’s seat
• Leather upholstery
• Automatic air conditioning
• Sport leather steering wheel
• Remote keyless entry
• Leatherette instrument panel insert

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The MX-5 comes with a MAZDA CONNECT 7” infotainment touchscreen screen that pops out from the middle of the dashboard. The system is intuitive for a new user and also responds to your inputs rather quickly. The Club boasts features such as Bluetooth, HD Radio, SiriusXM, USB ports, and a 9-speaker Bose premium audio system.

The Grand Touring will add more features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Sirius Travel and Traffic Link, and a built-in navigation system. Highlights of the infotainment system include:

• 7” touchscreen infotainment system
• Bluetooth
• HD radio
• SiriusXM 
• Sirius Travel and Traffic Link
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Built-in navigation

As previously mentioned, Mazda might be making some changes to the exterior of the MX-5 for the 2022 model year. We have no clue what those changes might be, but Mazda can make the car look even sharper. The tiny, compact Japanese sports car is pretty well-designed and well-thought-out. With the exceptionally low weight, weight distribution, and power-to-weight ratio, the MX-5 also looks very stylish. The front fascia displays the LED headlights in a very sharp housing, almost as sharp as a Japanese katana. There are strong lines from the hood flowing to the front. The grille is hung low to allow air in. 

The rear features flying buttresses. The hardtop can be retracted with the push of a button, giving you the option to enjoy a hardtop Miata. The rear sees two small round LED taillights with two small exhaust nodes clustered together at the bottom. It rides on 17” dark silver aluminum alloy wheels. The Grand Touring offers automatic and adaptive headlights. Overall, yes, the looks will definitely attract buyers; as the tiny car zooms past your typical boring design.

The Miata is the tiniest in its configuration. It has the shortest wheelbase of 90.9 inches even smaller than the Mini Cooper, the smallest height of 49 inches, and width. In fact, if you place these cars side-by-side the difference would be quite apparent. However, its ground clearance of 5.3 inches is fitting for a car of its size and proportions. 

On the other hand, the Camaro has the longest wheelbase of 110.7 inches, despite having a similar overall length of 188.3 inches as the Mustang. The Ford is also the widest at 75.4 inches. In terms of design, the muscle cars as the name suggests, look bulkier, while the Mini Cooper’s innocent looks will garner adequate attention in the market. Some of the key exterior features include:

• Quasi-dual stainless-steel exhaust
• Double wishbone front suspension
• Multi-link rear suspension
• 17” dark silver aluminum alloy
• LED DRLs
• LED taillights
• Hard retractable rooftop

Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA has tested the 2021 MX-5 yet. Also, it is highly unlikely that the Mazda MX-5 will ever be tested. Despite that, the car is loaded with smart modern safety features. Due to the tiny body and low center of gravity, the chances of rollover are pretty low. The occupants inside need not be afraid. The Miata is loaded with some modern features that you usually do not find on cars in this segment. Some of them are:

• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Smart City Brake Support
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Lane Departure Warning
• Back-up camera
• Dual-stage airbags

2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Convertible vs 2021 Chevrolet Camaro 1LT Convertible

The Chevrolet Camaro is a muscle car whereas the Miata is a compact and nimble sports car. Both are different and both serve different purposes. The Camaro is bigger, more spacious, more practical, but also less efficient.

The Miata is for those who want to enjoy the best driving experience without spending too much, but the Camaro is for those who want more practicality and want to go faster. To each their own.

2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Convertible vs 2021 Mini Cooper Convertible

The Mini Cooper is the one most comparable to the MX-5 in terms of size. But the MX-5 trumps the MiniCooper in almost every single way.

The Mini Cooper is sluggish, not as fun to drive as the MX-5, and also does not have the same appeal. It is slightly more practical, but that’s about it. The Japanese car also looks quite better. Go for the MX-5.

2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Convertible vs 2021 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Convertible

Another muscle car competes against the MX-5. The Ford Mustang is clearly for those who want the style, power, and practicality of a muscle car.

The Miata is not close to the Mustang in terms of daily usability, but the MX-5 also offers a handling experience you would not get from driving a Mustang. It’s a personal choice that separates the two.

If you were fascinated by the regular Miata and longed for a hardtop version, well, now is your chance. The RF makes some sacrifices, such as messing up the weight distribution slightly and subtracting practicality, but it still drives excellent. For those who chase fun driving experiences, without requiring anything else, the new Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Convertible is the answer. With it being more affordable, it’s clearly more accessible to enthusiasts.