Mazda MX-5 RF Limited 2022 Car Review

MODEL: Mazda MX-5 RF Limited
PRICE RANGE: $56,490 + ORC
ENGINE: 2.0 litre 4-cylinder petrol engine
POWER: 135kW/205Nm
GEARBOX: Six-speed automatic
ECONOMY: 7.2L/100km
BODY STYLE: Roadster
STATUS : Currently available

The MX-5 certainly catches your attention with its low, striking stance. As you sit behind the wheel of this beauty you get the urge to hit the open road, with its classic interior and retro minimalist styling it brings about unmistakable feelings of nostalgia.

It’s almost like being transported back in time to that feeling you got when driving the classic British Roadster that filled your heart with both joy and pain. However, unlike that British classic the MX-5 RF is all joy with the peace of mind thanks to a steadfast Mazda engineering team.

As soon as we hit the road, we felt this connection of man and machine with superb balance and control a result of the perfect 50:50 front to rear weight distribution.

Weak at the knees

Mazda is not about dramatic changes, and you can tell that the latest MX-5 is a design that has been carefully crafted over time. There is so much to love from every angle; the sleek muscular silhouette flows from the broad bonnet effortlessly to the wide commanding rear haunches, which houses 17-inch bright silver alloy wheels with 205/45 performance tyres. The ensemble is finished off with modern compact LED light clusters that wrap around the back.

The front grille is wide and low slung, perfectly complementing the mischievous slim Adaptive LED Headlamps (ALH). There is nothing dramatic about the design, just simplistic and stylish.

The model we reviewed wore the Soul Red Crystal hue, which is an additional $300, and what a captivating colour it is, we certainly experienced a few complements on the colour at the local farmer’s market.

Classy interior

These days the interior of new cars has become overwhelmingly digital with LED dash boards and touch sensitive screens controlling many functions. However, the cabin of the MX-5 retains classic controls - a conventional automatic gear selector and analogue gauges. Even the climate controls for air-conditioning features use well-built tactile dials. There are also round retro air vents and a three spoke wheel with matt chrome accenting.

While the interior may seem too simplistic for some, you don’t miss out on all the mod cons. The MX-5 features a 7-inch touchscreen display (MZD Connect), which includes all your essentials like Apple CarPlay™ (wireless or USB), and Android Auto. The sound quality is perfect for cruising with a Premium Bose® 203-watt amplifier with 9 speakers.

The seats were comfortable, trimmed in black leather, and heated - so if it gets a tad chilly when the top is down, you can always warm up.

While we love the MX-5, practicality comes into the equation. There is no front glove box and only a few small compartments between the seats, so interior storage is far from ample. There were a few cup holders that could be positioned in different configurations, which was a nice touch for your latte storage needs.

The drive

The model we reviewed wasn’t the GT model, but it felt sporty enough as it packs a 2.0-litre power plant which developed 135kW and 205Nm of torque and consumed a conservative 7.2L/100km with a CO2 output of 187g/km.

In terms of its consumption, the MX-5 is pretty good. From outward appearances it looks like it would be thirsty but it’s not bad at all. The conventional six-speed automatic in our review model with rear wheel drive still felt stiff and sharp in the corners.

However, if you opt for the manual option, it also includes a limited slip differential, so if you plan on going to track days then the manual model may be a better fit. But if you prefer a comfortable fun cruiser with a bit of get-up-and-go then the six-speed automatic is the better option.

Verdict

If you are looking for a great looking future classic, we say look no further as the MX-5 has a timeless style and makes you smile when sitting behind the wheel. Few models can achieve sports performance and comfort with this level of fuel economy. It also won’t be the worst commuter car either and when the weekend comes you can still take it away on a jaunt feeling and looking far more special than the price tag would suggest.

Pros

• Stunning looks
• Brilliant drive
• Decent economy

Cons

• Little storage space

*$300 surcharge for Soul Red Crystal and Machine Grey Metallic Paint Colours.

Safety systems

• Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
• Driver Attention Alert (DAA)
• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
• Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)

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