Skip advert
Advertisement

Facelifted Mazda MX-5 is your £28k ticket to open-top thrills

Mazda has released UK specs for the facelifted MX-5, with the entry-level model costing under £30k

  • Minor revisions to its exterior and interior
  • Unchanged engine lineup
  • First UK deliveries in March

The facelifted Mazda MX-5 is finally available to order in the UK, with prices kicking off at £28,000 for the entry-level Prime-Line model. 35 years and over a million sales since the world first laid eyes upon the two-door roadster from Japan, the latest MX-5 remains the flagbearer for low-cost, open-top motoring in a market where affordable sports cars are few and far between.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s a facelift that’s been nine years in the making, with the first examples of the fourth-generation MX-5 reaching our roads way back in 2015. In that time, few cars have challenged the MX-5’s spot as one of our favourite sports cars for around £30,000, with only the long-discontinued Fiat 124 Spider and Toyota GR86 coming close. Now that the latter is unavailable to order in the UK, the new MX-5 looks to have very few direct rivals at this price point.

What’s new for the 2024 Mazda MX-5?

The tweaks for the facelifted MX-5 are not particularly drastic, with only minor changes to the exterior and interior. Up front, there’s a pair of new headlights with integrated daytime running lights, while the tail-lights have also had a modest redesign. Other than that, the exterior remains as sharp and clean as before, the only addition being a new grey hue added to the colour palette. The MX-5 will continue to be sold in two bodystyles – the traditional soft top Roadster and the RF ‘Retractable Fastback’, which is essentially a folding hardtop.

Inside, the central infotainment touchscreen has grown to 8.8-inches and there are new USB-C ports for improved connectivity. The driver still gets a set of analogue dials for speed and engine revs, although the faces have been slightly changed.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Under the bonnet, the pair of engines are unchanged from the outgoing MX-5. Buyers can choose between 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines, with 130bhp and 181bhp respectively. Models fitted with the larger engine get the same performance upgrades as before, too, with a strut brace for improved chassis stiffness, upgraded suspension and a limited-slip differential for better traction coming out of corners. All models now come with a six-speed manual gearbox – the RF’s automatic option has been dropped.

How much does the 2024 Mazda MX-5 cost and when can I order one?

Prices start at £28,000 for the entry-level Prime-Line model in the Roadster bodystyle. This model is only available with the 1.5-litre engine and comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning and cloth seats. 

The £30,000 Exclusive Line model is available with either the 1.5-litre or the 2.0-litre engine, the latter commanding an additional £2,400. Included is an upgraded sound system, leather seats and keyless entry, while 2.0-litre models also get the previously-mentioned performance upgrades.

Top of the MX-5 hierarchy is the Homura model, available exclusively with the larger engine. Costing £34,800, the Homura gets 17-inch wheels, sportier Recaro seats and larger brakes.

The RF bodystyle is available in all trim levels and costs £1,900 over the price of an equivalent Roadster model. Order books are open now, with the first MX-5s scheduled to reach customers in March.

Entertaining the idea of a new sports car? Read our list of the top 10 best sports cars on sale…

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

MINI Cooper Convertible review – more modern, but just as fun as before
MINI Cooper Convertible front quarter
In-depth reviews
20 Nov 2024

MINI Cooper Convertible review – more modern, but just as fun as before

MINI Convertible review (2016-2024)
Best Convertible: MINI Convertible
In-depth reviews
6 Nov 2024

MINI Convertible review (2016-2024)

The best cheap fun cars from under £5k to over £10k
Best cheap fun cars
Best cars
25 Oct 2024

The best cheap fun cars from under £5k to over £10k

BMW Z4 review – a modern take on the classic sports car formula
BMW Z4 convertible
In-depth reviews
11 Oct 2024

BMW Z4 review – a modern take on the classic sports car formula

Most Popular

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door
BMW M235 Gran Coupe front quarter
News
26 Nov 2024

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
29 Nov 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers

New Audi Q5 Sportback lands with SUV stance and a swoopy roof
Audi SQ5 Sportback front quarter
News
26 Nov 2024

New Audi Q5 Sportback lands with SUV stance and a swoopy roof

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024