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2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review

April 16, 2009

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

resembles a lightweight power lifter
Jalopnik

pronounced flair
Kelley Blue Book

upscale
Edmunds

According to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com’s editors, the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata looks like a winner—tough to most, soft to a few.

To some reviewers the 2009 Mazda MX-5’s style is neither butch nor muscular. The New York Times says, “It doesn’t have side pipes or a hood scoop or a name that conjures images of bloodlust and rage.” In fact, Car and Driver calls it a “cutie pie,” though Edmunds returns some dignity when it reports that the Miata has “more aggressive styling, without bumping up the price or diluting its perky personality.”

Jalopnik says it "resembles a lightweight power lifter" and describes it as follows: "flared wheel arches rising out of the hood and the trunk, aggressive swells around the headlights and dual pipes poking out of a chiseled, muscular derriere." Cars.com points out that this version of the Miata “retains the fixed headlights but returns somewhat to the original shape, with fewer curves—except for the accentuated wheel arches that recall the Mazda RX-8.”

The 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata is available in two models: a soft-top roadster and a Power Retractable Hard Top model. The hardtop edition is good-looking too; Car and Driver says, “raised, the body-color bubble looks stubbier than the soft-top but is still attractive.”

Inside the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata’s cabin, the seat shape is refined for better comfort and lateral support. The center console has more flexible storage, and a padded armrest provides better comfort. “The interior is highlighted with chrome and silver accents, and the driver faces a three-spoke tilt steering wheel,” Cars.com notes of its test car. “The $515 interior trim package,” according to the New York Times, “consists of a few bits of ‘aluminum look’ trim on the door panels and dashboard. Mind you, this isn’t aluminum trim—it’s plastic. For that price, on a per-ounce basis, I’d think you could trim your doors and dash in anything from titanium to sashimi-grade tuna belly.”

Conclusion

With pert styling and a neatly organized interior, the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the closest thing to a reincarnated British roadster on the planet.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:resembles a lightweight power lifterJalopnikpronounced flairKelley Blue BookupscaleEdmunds According to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com’s editors, the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata looks like a winner—tough to most, soft to a few. To some reviewers the 2009 Mazda MX-5’s style is neither butch nor muscular. The New York Times says, “It doesn’t have side pipes or a hood scoop or a name that conjures images of bloodlust and rage.” In fact, Car and Driver calls it a “cutie pie,” though Edmunds returns some dignity when it reports that the Miata has “more aggressive styling, without bumping up the price or diluting its perky personality.” Jalopnik says it "resembles a lightweight power lifter" and describes it as follows: "flared wheel arches rising out of the hood and the trunk, aggressive swells around the headlights and dual pipes poking out of a chiseled, muscular derriere." Cars.com points out that this version of the Miata “retains the fixed headlights but returns somewhat to the original shape, with fewer curves—except for the accentuated wheel arches that recall the Mazda RX-8.” The 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata is available in two models: a soft-top roadster and a Power Retractable Hard Top model. The hardtop edition is good-looking too; Car and Driver says, “raised, the body-color bubble looks stubbier than the soft-top but is still attractive.” Inside the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata’s cabin, the seat shape is refined for better comfort and lateral support. The center console has more flexible storage, and a padded armrest provides better comfort. “The interior is highlighted with chrome and silver accents, and the driver faces a three-spoke tilt steering wheel,” Cars.com notes of its test car. “The $515 interior trim package,” according to the New York Times, “consists of a few bits of ‘aluminum look’ trim on the door panels and dashboard. Mind you, this isn’t aluminum trim—it’s plastic. For that price, on a per-ounce basis, I’d think you could trim your doors and dash in anything from titanium to sashimi-grade tuna belly.” ConclusionWith pert styling and a neatly organized interior, the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the closest thing to a reincarnated British roadster on the planet. 2009 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA STYLING | [8 out of 10] Jalopnik: "resembles a lightweight power lifter" Kelley Blue Book: "pronounced flair" Edmunds: "upscale" According to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com’s editors, the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata looks like a winner—tough to most, soft to a ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The MINI Cooper Convertible comes in a dizzying array of trim and styling combinations and offers a turbocharged engine option, as do the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky. Both the Sky and Solstice are, surprisingly, even less practical than the Miata, with almost unbelievably small cargo compartments and an almost complete lack of storage places. None of the convertibles that compete with the 2009 Mazda MX-5 offer a folding hardtop either.

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See the Mazda MX-5 Miata in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1997

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Patrick Hood #1, Posted: 7/22/2009

    The features say bluetooth and Nav not available, I have a 2009 MX-5 with bluetooth, controls on the steering wheel.

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