2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Review

　　

2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　The Mazda MX-5 Miata RF enters a performance coupe and convertible segment in flux for the 2021 model year. Though the MX-5 has remained among our favorite choices since its 2016 debut, it always had a healthy dose of competition. Now, with the discontinuation of the Fiat 124 Spider (which was largely a disguised Miata anyway), and the gap year before we see redesigned versions of the Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ and Nissan Z, the MX-5 Miata finds itself alone at the top of the mountain.

　　No matter. This was an excellent two-seater in a crowded class, and it's an excellent two-seater in a deserted one. The MX-5 Miata RF in particular is a strong choice due to its power-folding hardtop, lending the convertible a flashy exterior style. For 2021 there are no significant changes besides the inclusion of wireless functionality for Apple CarPlay, which only increases bang for your buck. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our take on the Miata RF's performance, comfort and more.

　　

What's it like to live with?

For some inside perspective on the Mazda MX-5 Miata ownership experience, check out our long-term road test. In recent years we've owned both a long-term road test and a long-term road test. Both of these models were soft-top convertibles, but our team's reflections should provide insight into owning an MX-5 Miata 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. The controls are placed cleverly, but their ease of use is primarily due 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 is 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 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?

We recommend the Grand Touring trim for most people given its wide range of comfort features that make this tiny two-seater a more pleasant place to be. It only costs a fraction more for the upgrade, and the standard equipment adds impressive value for the money. Of course, the Club is an excellent option if you can't take your eye off those performance upgrades.

　　

2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF models

The Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is a two-door sports car available in two trims: Club and Grand Touring. It separates itself from the standard MX-5 Miata with a power-folding roof that, when closed, makes the MX-5 RF look like a hardtop coupe. All models are rear-wheel-drive and powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (181 horsepower, 151 lb-ft of torque) paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic.

　　Club

　　This starter level is also the sportiest version of the MX-5 RF, complete with:

　　LED headlights 17-inch black-painted alloy wheels Keyless entry and ignition Heated seats Nine-speaker Bose audio system 7-inch touchscreen Two USB ports Apple CarPlay (with wireless connectivity) and Android Auto smartphone 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 monitoring (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:

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

　　A more luxurious trim that comes with these helpful features:

　　Automatic headlights and wipers Adaptive headlights (headlights swivel to illuminate the road in turns) Dark gray wheels Heated mirrors Auto-dimming rearview and driver-side mirrors Navigation system Leather upholstery Automatic climate control

　　

2021 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