Vehicle Overview

Ever since Mazda introduced the Miata as an early 1990 model, it's officially been known as the MX-5 Miata. Anyone who has known the model, however, has known it as the Miata. Mazda discarded the Miata designation upon the model's 2006 redesign. Officially, the two-seater is dubbed MX-5, but if you refer to it that way, expect a blank stare.

Changes for 2008 include the car's first-ever driver's seat height adjustment, a standard tire pressure monitoring system and, in the Touring and Grand Touring trim levels, a six-CD changer.

Now in its second year, the optional power-retractable hardtop gives the car greater four-season appeal, though it wouldn't be our first choice for winter driving (or even our 100th). A manual vinyl top is standard, and a cloth soft-top comes in the higher trim levels. The retractable hardtop takes up no trunk space.

    See also:

    Knowing Your Mazda
    Explanation of basic operations and controls; opening/closing and adjustment of various parts. ...

    Light Bulbs
    WARNING: Do not replace the xenon fusion bulbs yourself: Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs yourself is dangerous. Because the xenon fusion bulbs require high voltage, you could receive an ele ...

    Interior
    The Mazda5's cabin is similar in size to its predecessor, but the design is new. The new interior shares styling cues with other recently updated Mazdas like the Mazda3 compact car. The second-row ...