Is Mazda Miata A Sports Car? (All You Need To Know!)

Last Updated on October 12, 2023 by Alex PT

Yes, the Mazda Miata is considered a sports car. It’s a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive two-seater known for its sporty handling and agility. The Miata has been popular among sports car enthusiasts for decades.

Reasons Why Mazda Miata Is A Sports Car

It Comes With A Small Cabin

The Mazda Miata was equipped with a small cabin. But the classy touches such as body-color upper door panels and cut-and-sewn dash trim with contrast stitching cover-up for its small cabin. The truth is that luxury matters less. The most important things about this beautiful sports car are its large, front-and-center tachometer; its snug sports seats; and its new tilting and telescoping steering column. All these features make the sports car easier for drivers with long legs to be in a comfortable seating position when driving. 

Manual Transmission With A Smooth Shift Pattern

Earlier Miatas came with a five-speed manual transmission that allowed drivers to shift precisely with short gear throws instead of rowing through the gears. It’s a proper stick shift for a little sports vehicle like the Miata. A six-speed manual transmission is available in modern cars, such as the 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club. All variants with a manual transmission

More Than A Million Car Products

Mazda made a general announcement that they’ve sold more than a million Miata cars. By the way, these cars are still in production. Mazda still makes them today. If you’re looking for a very small, beautiful sports car, then you should consider one of these Miata editions. 

Handling Perfection: Rear-Wheel Drive/Weight Distribution 

Rear-wheel drive allows a car’s front wheels to maneuver without having to worry about putting the engine’s power down on the road. In less technical terms, rear-wheel drive is a solid foundation for designing a sports car because it’s a fun configuration to drive. The Miata is a rear-wheel-drive sports car with approximately 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution and exceptionally compact dimensions. (The 2019 Miata is just a smidgeon shorter than the 1989 version!) As a result, it responds to steering inputs with vigor. The Mazda’s soft suspension also allows for some body roll, dip, and squat, all of which accentuate and clarify the impacts of the driver’s inputs, making the Miata feel faster than it is—and more fun than nearly anything else on the road.

There Are No Limits To How Many Beams You Can Have Per Hour

This automobile is just plain entertaining. It has a lot of power and handles well. Earlier models had a manually operated fabric top that folded into the trunk – something you can do while waiting at a stoplight. For a Targa look and feel, newer models, such as the 2017 Mazda MX5 Miata RF, allow you to remove the overhead panel and lower the back window.

Nearly-Perfect Weight Distribution

Mazda made the engine of the recent Miata mounted close to the feet of the driver, and lengthwise in the front. This way, it helps to push power the rear wheels. With this, you’ll enjoy an even balance with handling that’s lively, incredible, and responsive.

Comes With Recaro Sport Seats

The new Mazda Miata comes with the new Recaro-branded sport seat option. That’s a lovely feature. But the truth is that the well-bolstered seat requires users to first step up to the mid-level Club model, then review the pricey alternative box for the BBS wheel and Brembo brake assortment.

Is the Mazda Miata a Good Car?

1. Impressive Performance:

The Mazda Miata famously features a high-performance engine that delivers an exciting driving experience. Its 2.0L four-cylinder engine generates 181 horsepower, providing sufficient power for most driving situations. Moreover, it’s the driving dynamics of the Miata that truly impresses, offering precision steering and balanced handling.

2. Fuel Efficiency:

The Mazda Miata is notably fuel-efficient. According to the EPA, it delivers 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, which are impressive numbers for the sports car category. This factor makes the Miata a great choice for those who seek power and efficiency packaged together.

3. Comfortable and Sporty Interior:

With its sporty, driver-focused cockpit, the Miata gives a nod to its racing lineage. It places a high emphasis on driver comfort whilst keeping a minimalist aesthetic. The standard features include a six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, and a user-friendly infotainment system.

Standard Interior Features
a. Six-Speaker Audio System
b. Bluetooth
c. User-friendly Infotainment System

4. Excellent Safety Ratings:

The Mazda Miata also performs well in the safety department. It obtained good ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in multiple areas. Moreover, it includes a decent line-up of standard safety features like a rearview camera and lane departure warning.

5. High Resale Value:

Mazda Miatas tend to hold their value incredibly well. In fact, automotive research site Edmunds has placed the Miata on its “Best Retained Value” list repeatedly. A high resale value implies that investing in a Miata can be a financially wise decision.

6. Affordable and Economical:

The Miata, despite its sports car status, is surprisingly affordable and economical. Car enthusiasts seeking a stylish, performance-oriented vehicle without the high price tag found in other sports car offerings will find the Miata an attractive choice.

7. Multiple Trim Options:

Mazda offers the Miata in several trims, providing alternatives to suit various preferences and budgets. Whether the buyer prefers extra style, comfort features, or power, there’s a Miata that fits the bill.

FAQs

After extensive research, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers for a better understanding of Miata Sportscars. 

Is The Mazda Miata Considered A Sports Car?

Yes! Most people think Mazda Miata is only technically a sports car, but that’s not true. Mazda Miata is actually a sports car even though it’s not the quickest, strongest, and most agile on the market. 

Is The Mazda Miata A Good Sports Car?

Definitely! The Mazda Miata is a very good sports car even if it has its drawbacks and disadvantages. Its drawbacks include a light cabin, a very small trunk, a bad for bumpy roads, and it’s a little loud. 

Is A Miata A Sports Car to Insurance?

The Mazda Miata is reasonable to insure despite sporty driver profile and inherent risk connected with convertible sports cars. The good thing is that Miata costs far less to insure when compared with its counterparts. 

Does Mazda Have A Sports Car?

Yes! The Miata and RX-VISION rotary sports cars are two modern sports cars from Mazda with the next-generation SKYACTIV-R rotary engine and Mazda’s conception of the ultimate in front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car design. The Miata model is a representation of a vision of the future which illuminates the soul of the Mazda company. 

Closing Thoughts – Rounding Up! 

Just so you know, the Mazda Miata series are incredible sports car with incredible features and functions like new safety-related features, a standard rearview camera, and a new telescoping steering column. We’ve also listed some of the major reasons why we consider this series of sports cars. Check them out! You’ll also agree with us!  We’ve reached the closing chapter of this informative article. We hope you were able to find good and reliable resources in your quest to know if the Mazda Miata is a sports car. If you have any questions or comments about the article topic, don’t hesitate to contact us. Thanks!

References:

https://www.quora.com/Is-the-Mazda-Miata-technically-a-sportscar
https://www.caranddriver.com/mazda/mx-5-miata