2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata - Quality Review

Given the MX-5 Miata's exterior dimensions, you might expect the interior to be tiny, and you wouldn't be wrong, but you wouldn't be entirely correct, either. The MX-5 uses its interior volume with surprising efficiency, allowing even drivers over six feet in height to comfortable drive or ride in comfort.

With the top up, headroom can be at a premium, but with the top down, the sky is literally the limit. The seats are well-contoured, supportive, and bolstered for sporty driving, though the optional leather seats can be a bit slippery in vigorous maneuvers.

Storage space is more abundant than you might expect, too. Glove box space is fair, if not voluminous; there's a center console cubby that doubles as a dual drink holder; two more cupholders can be found in either door; a larger center cubby between the seats can be locked for secure storage; and two larger cubbies behind each seat complete in-cabin storage.

The trunk is also quite roomy, though it's essentially a top-loader, limiting the size of hard items that will fit within. Soft items, such as bags, fit easily, however, enabling a weekend trip for two with ample space.

Operating the standard soft-top is a cinch, easily raised or lowered even from within the car. Flip the latch, drop it back, reverse to put it back up. The power hard top is even easier, with a 12-second open/close time, and it stows between the rear bulkhead at the trunk, preserving 5.3 cubic feet of trunk space--easily enough for a pair of overnight bags.

The soft-top isn't as well-insulated as some, letting in a fair amount of road and wind noise. The power hard top is well-insulated, however, and secure as well.