2022 Mazda Miata Convertible MX-5 Review: Price, Specs and More

*Disclosure: The 2022 Mazda Miata Convertible MX-5 was provided to me for testing purposes and editorial consideration. All opinions are 100% my own*

Hey guys,

I had the pleasure of reviewing the 2022 Mazda Miata convertible a few weeks back and I am still just as thrilled today as the day it was dropped off.

Why? Well for a few different reasons…

One, I had the two-seater convertible all to myself for an entire week. Two, it is not only extremely fun to drive, but also interactive and very engaging. Three, I am finally getting good at driving a manual transmission car. Throughout my time with the vehicle, I noticed that there were definitely a lot less stalls and a lot more confidence this go around.

Keep reading to learn more about the roadster…

2022 Mazda Miata Convertible Review

Although there were not a ton of changes made to the fourth-gen Miata, there are definitely a few really good updates.

What’s New?

• Sport and Club trim levels come available with only a 6-speed manual transmission.
• New Kinematic Posture Control promises enhanced cornering stability.
  • What is Kinematic Posture Control? This feature provides the MX-5 Miata with better stability when cornering, which is the ability of a motor vehicle to cope with bends or corners in a road.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay now comes equipped in both Club and Grand Touring trims.

Who is the Convertible Manual for?

• Empty nesters looking to have fun
• Buyers who live in a warm climate and can drive the roaster year around
• Young professionals who commute (pre-kids)
• Anyone looking to own a fun and sporty second car
• Buyers who just want to have fun while driving

Sassy Auto Tips

Driving a stick is fun and cool, but it is also a crucial life-skill. If you can drive a manual transmission car you can definitely drive an automatic. However, the reverse is not true. So basically, anyone who drives should learn how to drive both.

Here are a few manual transmission car driving tips to keep in mind:

• Learning to drive a manual transmission vehicle takes time so be kind to yourself during the process.
• Don’t rest hand on the gear shift. This is an easy habit to start and a hard one to break. And yes, one I am still getting used to not doing. Additionally, leaving your hand sitting on the gear knob can cause unnecessary and unwanted damage to your transmission.
• Do not ride the clutch. Doing so you can definitely put your car at risk.
• While at stop sign/light don’t keep your car in gear. When putting your car in neutral at a stop, you’re lessening the general wear on your clutch.
• Don’t floor the gas pedal at low RPMs. If you floor the gas pedal while at a low RPM, you risk stressing the engine.

Brief Overview of Models, Specs and Trims:

The convertible roadster comes in three trim levels: Sport, Club and Grand Touring…

Sport

• Starting MSRP:
  • $27,650
• Engine:
  • 181-hp, SKYACTIV-G 2.0 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder
• Manual transmission ONLY:
  • SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual transmission w/short-throw shifter
• Drivetrain Options:
  • Rear-wheel drive
• EPA-Estimated Fuel Economy:
  • Manual
    • 26/34mpg (city/highway)
• A Few Key Features/Specs:
  • AM/FM audio system w/6 speakers including driver’s side headrest speakers
  • LED headlights
  • 16 x 6 aluminum alloy wheels
  • Seats 2
  • Bucket seats with reclining and forward/back slide feature
  • Mazda advanced keyless entry system
  • Push button start
  • Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming capability
  • Remote trunk lid release
  • Cruise control
  • 2 removable cup holders
  • Locking rear center console
  • Driver’s and passenger’s back panel covered storage
  • 2 USB audio input
  • 12-volt power outlet
  • Black cloth convertible top
  • Variable-intermittent windshield wipers

*Sport trim offers manual transmission ONLY*

Club

• Starting MSRP:
  • $31,150
• Engine:
  • 181-hp, SKYACTIV-G 2.0 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder
• Manual transmission ONLY:
  • SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual transmission w/short-throw shifter
• Drivetrain Options:
  • Rear-wheel drive
• EPA-Estimated Fuel Economy:
  • Manual
    • 26/34mpg (city/highway)
• A Few Key Features/Specs (Club trim adds):
  • Bose 9-speaker audio system w/AudioPilot, driver’s and passenger’s headrest speakers and subwoofer
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay
  • 17 x 7 aluminum alloy wheels
  • Heated seats with 3 heat settings
  • SiriusXM Satellite radio with 3-month subscription

*The Club model is build-to-order only, and is offered in manual transmission ONLY*

Grand Touring – (Trim Tested – Manual)

• Starting MSRP:
  • $32,650
• Engine:
  • 181-hp, SKYACTIV-G 2.0 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder
• Transmission:
  • Automatic: SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual transmission w/short-throw shifter
  • Manual: 6-speed Sport automatic transmission with paddle shifters
• Drivetrain Options: Rear-wheel drive
• EPA-Estimated Fuel Economy:
  • Manual – (Trim Tested)
    • 26/34mpg (city/highway)
  • Automatic
    • 26/35mpg (city/highway)
• A Few Key Features/Specs (Grand Touring trim adds)
  • Auto on/off headlights
  • Adaptive Front-lighting System
  • High Beam Control
  • Rain-sensing variable-intermittent windshield wipers
  • Body-colored heated power side mirrors
  • Auto-dimming driver’s side mirror
  • Auto-dimming rearview mirror
  • SiriusXM 3-year Traffic and Travel Link subscription includes current information for:
    • Traffic
    • Weather
    • Sports scores
    • Fuel prices
    • Nearby parking or parking by destination
  • Mazda Navigation System

*Grand Touring trim is offered in both automatic and manual transmission*

*Note: SKYACTIV-G = Skyactiv (branded as SKYACTIV) is a brand name for a series of automobile technologies developed by Mazda that increase fuel efficiency*

What I Love About The 2022 Mazda Miata Convertible

There are always things that stand out/I love about each vehicle that I have an opportunity to experience.

Check out what I love most about this one…

• Eye-catching design
• Remains true to original Mazda’s lightweight RWD roaster design
• Incredibly fun to drive
• Excellent fuel-economy
• Driving is interactive and engaging
• Although it is a small car, I felt safe while on the road
• Faster & spirited acceleration
• Easy to raise/lower convertible top
• The gear indicator shows which gear your transmission is in/should be in when driving
• Hill Start Assist
  • When traveling uphill in a vehicle with a manual transmission the Hill Start feature assists in keeping the car from rolling backwards

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

• Bumper-to-bumper
  • 36 months/36,000 miles
• Corrosion
  • 60 months/unlimited distance
• Powertrain
  • 60 months/60,000 miles
• Roadside assistance
  • 36 months/36,000 miles

Do you know how to drive a manual transmission car? If so, when did you learn and which one do you like best, automatic or stick? Additionally, if you don’t know and are interested in learning the benefits of driving a stick shift car click HERE.

Contact your local Mazda dealership and also visit their website to learn more about the 2022 Mazda Miata. Additionally, don’t forget to inquire about available loyalty programs.

Have A Happy Healthy, and Remember to Always…
Stay Sassy