2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Review

　　

2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　The Mazda MX-5 Miata is one of our favorite small sports cars. It does have some downsides, though. It's, well, small, so there's not much space to stretch out. The Miata can also get pretty noisy at highway speeds, even with the top up. Thankfully, Mazda offers a way to minimize the roar of the road in your ears when the windows are up: the 2020 MX-5 Miata RF.

　　The RF comes with a power-folding hardtop instead of the regular Miata's fabric top. Even though it's still fairly loud compared to traditional coupes, the Miata RF is a little more peaceful at highway speeds. It also has fixed buttresses positioned behind each passenger, giving the RF a distinct coupe- or targa-like look instead of the regular Miata's traditional roadster profile.

　　

What's it like to live with?

Interested in learning about what it's like to live with this little roadster? Check out our long-term reviews for the fourth-generation 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata and the updated 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata. We spent a year and more than 20,000 miles with each of these charming convertibles. In our long-term coverage, you can read in-depth coverage from our editors on everything from the way the Miata drives to its reliability. Though our long-term coverage is based on the soft-top MX-5, most of our impressions apply to the RF as well.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.0/10

　　How does the MX-5 Miata RF drive? The Miata's featherweight construction and rear-wheel-drive platform mean that you can have a ton of fun without a supremely powerful engine. There's just 181 horsepower on tap, yet our manual transmission-equipped Miata RF test car sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in a respectably quick 6.6 seconds. You'll get the most driver engagement by picking the manual transmission.

　　The Miata's brakes are another strong point — they are both easy to control and post short stopping distances. Though steering is a little light in effort, the steering wheel is just the right size and offers immediate response. The Miata responds best to smooth and deliberate inputs. It's precise and predictable, and it's easy to catch the rear end if you get a bit overzealous. There's noticeable body roll (even with the Club suspension), but the only time that becomes an issue is during fast, aggressive driving.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the MX-5 Miata RF? Small two-seat roadsters aren't known for comfort, but the Miata is surprisingly livable in the day-to-day grind. The Club has a firmer ride than other Miata trims because of its Bilstein dampers, but it still has pretty good compliance over rough roads. Only larger potholes will send a shiver through the chassis. The optional Recaro seats offer an enviable combination of support, breathability and comfort. But they sit higher than the standard seats, making them a no-go for passengers over 6 feet tall.

　　The Miata's only significant drawback comfort-wise is the abundant cabin noise, even with the additional sound insulation the RF provides compared to the soft top. Road and wind noise increases significantly with speed. On the highway, you'll have to raise your voice to talk to your passenger.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The cabin's elegant design makes the most of the tidy space and prioritizes the fun of driving. There are minimal controls, and those that exist are, perhaps unsurprisingly, easy to reach. Though partially due to clever control placement, their ease of use is directly related to the Miata's minuscule cabin size.

　　Drivers around 6 feet tall will push the boundaries of head- and legroom, and anyone much taller than that might not fit at all. But average-size drivers will have no problem finding an agreeable position.

　　Forward visibility is great, though the rear view is somewhat impacted by the RF's targa-like top. The automatic top is quick to retract and deploy.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The MX-5 RF must balance driving purity with a driver's desire for modern connectivity and safety tech. Two USB ports are standard, as are Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. There's also an impressive list of active safety features — the blind-spot monitor in particularly useful given the RF's visibility-reducing rear buttresses.

　　The nine-speaker Bose audio system does a good job both filling the cabin with sound and competing with ambient noise. Voice controls are limited and stick to a menu of on-screen prompts, but the system recognizes speech well.

　　

Storage

5.5/10

　　How’s the storage? No one should expect a two-seat convertible to be a utilitarian machine, so the Miata's lack of carrying capacity shouldn't come as a surprise. The Miata RF's trunk measures just 4.6 cubic feet — the same as the one in the regular soft-top Miata. Unlike larger convertibles, there's no back seat to use as a cargo shelf. There's not even a glovebox. Instead, the Miata just has a small bin between the seats that serves as the main storage area for things such as smartphones, wallets or small handbags.

　　There is sufficient room for one child or toddler in a forward-facing seat or booster only. There are no car seat anchors or top-tether attachment points.

　　

Fuel Economy

9.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? EPA-estimated fuel economy for the six-speed manual is 29 mpg combined (26 city/34 highway). In our RF test car, we managed 32 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route. Matching the EPA's numbers in the real world should be pretty doable.

　　

Value

8.5/10

　　Is the MX-5 Miata RF a good value? The RF costs thousands more than the MX-5 Miata soft top. That's partially because Mazda doesn't offer an entry-level Sport trim on the RF. But even if you compare the RF to a standard Miata at its Club level, the RF still commands a premium.

　　As with the standard MX-5, the RF's cabin materials are quite nice. An abundance of soft plastics and faux leather coverings give the interior an upscale feel. While the price can creep in upper trims and with option packages, the Miata is a good value overall.

　　Mazda's bumper-to-bumper warranty is good for three years/36,000 miles, while the powertrain is covered for five years/60,000 miles. These are average for the segment. Roadside assistance is offered for three years/36,000 miles, which is below average among non-luxury convertibles.

　　

Wildcard

9.5/10

　　The Miata maintains a thread from roadsters past, with a certain purity missing from more modern, tech-advanced cars. Drivers feel fully engaged as the car executes driver commands with urgency and accuracy. The RF's hardtop and fastback style are modern touches, but the driving enjoyment remains.

　　

Which MX-5 Miata RF does zzdcar recommend?

It makes sense to upgrade to the Grand Touring given that it barely costs more than the standard Club. However, if you want cloth seats or the Brembo/BBS Recaro package, you'll have to stick with the Club. There's really no wrong way to go here.

　　

2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF models

The 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is a small, lightweight roadster with a power-retractable folding hardtop. It comes in two trim levels: Club and Grand Touring. Both are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (181 horsepower, 151 lb-ft of torque) that drives the rear wheels. The motor is paired to your choice between a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic. Highlighted features include:

　　Club

　　The Club is the sportier of the two offerings and comes standard with:

　　LED headlights 17-inch black-painted alloy wheels Keyless entry and ignition Faux leather interior trim Heated seats Nine-speaker Bose audio system 7-inch touchscreen Two USB ports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibilitySafety features for the Club include:

　　Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front and can automatically apply the brakes if a collision is imminent) Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (alerts you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)Club models with the manual transmission also add:

　　Shock tower brace Limited-slip differential Sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers Engine sound enhancerA special Brembo/BBS Recaro package is only available with the Club and manual transmission. It includes:

　　Brembo front brakes with red front and rear calipers Gray BBS wheels Aerodynamic body kit Black roof Recaro sport seatsGrand Touring

　　The Grand Touring is the more luxurious option. It nixes the Club's front and rear spoilers and adds:

　　Dark gray wheels Automatic headlights and wipers Adaptive headlights (headlights swivel to illuminate the road in turns) Heated mirrors Auto-dimming rearview and driver-side mirrors Automatic climate control Leather upholstery Navigation systemGrand Touring models with the manual transmission also add the manual-equipped Club's performance upgrades.

　　

2020 MX-5 Miata RF Highlights

Trim: ClubGrand TouringClub

　　

Base MSRP	$33,045
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Cost to Drive	$160/month
Seating	2 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	4.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles