Under the Hood

The 2.3-liter four-cylinder develops 156 horsepower (146 hp for PZEV-emissions-compliant models) while the 3.0-liter V-6 turns out 212 hp. Both engines can team with a five-speed manual transmission. A five-speed automatic is available in models equipped with the four-cylinder, while a six-speed automatic is available in V-6-equipped models.

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    Exterior
    Narrow headlights flank a large, five-pointed grille with a Mazda logo. The wheel arches and belt line are well defined. For 2008, Volcanic Red and Silver Metallic are new colors. Built on a 105 ...

    Comfort and Ease-of-Use
    The cabin of the Mazda MX-5 facelift model offers enhanced comfort. The door cupholders, for instance, do not protrude into the cabin anymore, which provides more space to the occupants' legs. The ...

    Driving Sideways and Other Assets
    As always, the MX-5 has rear-wheel drive with excellent front/rear weight distribution. At roughly 52/48 (51/49 with the hardtop), its bias is toward slight understeer, which keeps things safe. An ...