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.

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    Going & Stopping
    All Mazda5s have a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 153 horsepower and 148 pounds-feet of torque. It's a smooth-revving unit that's strong enough for its purposes, but it doesn't have a w ...

    Cup Holder
    WARNING: Never use a cup holder to hold hot liquids while the vehicle is moving: Using a cup holder to hold hot liquids while the vehicle is moving is dangerous. If the contents spill, you could ...

    Keyless Entry System
    This system remotely locks and unlocks the doors and opens the trunk lid, and opens the power windows and the moonroof. It can also help you signal for attention. Operating the theft-deterrent sy ...