2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs. Its Competition

Meta Rating 7.2 out of 10

Get FREE Price Quote
What’s this?

What’s this? X

Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

Nelson Ireson

Senior Editor BIO

Nelson is a Senior Editor at High Gear Media focusing on reviewing cars and covering the hottest topics in luxury and performance cars, car culture... More

LATEST ARTICLE
2013 Ram 1500 Heads West, 2014 Bentley Flying Spur Driven: Car News Headlines
Today at The Car Connection, the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi earned an NHTSA five-star safety rating... Read More

#4LEADERBOARD RANK
6345ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
229COMMENTS POSTED

Feb 23, 2012

There are essentially no other lightweight, relatively low-power roadsters left on the market, at least not in traditional front-engine, rear-drive layout.

The 2012 MINI Cooper Convertible offers somewhat similar performance, and is even more powerful in turbocharged form, however.

Nissan's 370Z is almost into grand touring size and performance, without the light, nimble feel of the MX-5, but with much more power and speed.

Porsche's Boxster is an excellent performer, and even better on the odd track day, but will cost about twice as much as the MX-5.

2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Nissan 370Z Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Porsche Boxster Get FREE Price Quote	2012 MINI Cooper Convertible Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
7.2 The 2012 Mazda MX-5 is a true sports roadster with great handling and fun at any speed, and more practical than you might think.	8.2 Performance per dollar, the 2012 Nissan 370Z is a bargain, and it's quick enough in absolute terms to reach toward the domain of much more expensive sports cars.	9 Stylish, fun, and capable, the 2012 Porsche Boxster is one of the best roadsters around.	8.6 Part hatchback, part convertible, and all fun, the 2012 MINI Cooper Convertible is in a class by itself--literally.
MSRP From
$23,470	$32,280	$48,100	$24,950
Gas Mileage
21 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy	18 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy	19 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy	25 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas I4	Gas V6	Gas Flat-6	Gas 4-Cyl
EPA Class
Two Seater	Two-Seater	Two-Seater	Minicompact
Style Name
2dr Convertible Man Sport	2dr Coupe Manual	2dr Roadster	2dr
Drivetrain
Rear Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Rear-Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
2	2	2	4
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
2 Door Convertible	2 Door Coupe	Convertible	Convertible
Transmission
Manual w/OD	Manual w/OD	Manual	Manual