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STYLING | 8 out of 10
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Some things never go out of style, such as chocolate, an unexpected financial windfall, Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars... Add to that list the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Consumer Reports
retractable hard top...gives the Miata a decidedly racecar-like roofline
CNET
Its low-slung, athletic shape is appealing, and its proportions are just right.
Cars.com
from most angles the hardtop helps reinforce the added musculature that designers have worked hard to incorporate into the Miata’s bulging fenders, which are far more evocative of a sports coupe than a prissy beach cruiser
Road & Track
The 2013 Mazda MX-5 has some modern details, but they don't get in the way of its lean, classic-roadster proportions. This two-seat roadster has a clean, classic look that's refreshingly straightforward today.
From the front, the look of the MX-5 Miata has changed very slightly this year, with a new front fascia for all the models. All MX-5 Sport models now get fog lamps, while the Grand Touring gets a fresh 17-inch wheel design.
Overall, Mazda has kept the MX-5 Miata just enough in pace with the rest of the model lineup, with a front-end design that has enough of the family look of Mazda's hatchbacks, sedans, and crossovers. It's a toned-down version of the brand's somewhat-smiley grille opening--and here it actually fits the MX-5's look. Add in the gently flared fenders, smooth surfaces, and lightly contoured hood, and you get an exterior that's just the right amount of classy and understated to go with the naturally flamboyant layout.
The Power Retractable Hard Top (PHRT, or just Hard Top) models add a different take to the MX-5's look, essentially turning it into a coupe with the top up, but retaining the classic roadster look with it down. A separate detachable hard top is available for the soft-top models.
It's probably not all that surprising that the MX-5 Miata is somewhat spartan inside, with cloth seats and simple (mostly dark plastic) surfaces. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped in all but the entry-level model. Climbing the trim range, however, can add heated leather seats, more chrome trim, and other aesthetic nods to greater prosperity--though some may view these changes as moving away from the minimalist sports car spirit of the MX-5.
New this year is a Club trim that slots between the base Sport and the top Grand Touring. Visually, its special graphics and badging on the outside help it standout, while the black cloth seats get red contrast stitching and there's a new body-color decoration panel across the dash.
Conclusion
The 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata holds true to its classic-roadster roots, with a charming simplicity inside and out.
