The Little Big Engine That Can
2019 Mazda Miata MX-5 Grand Touring A Safe and Sporty Roadster
By Randi Payton // Decisive Media Network
If you’re into sporty driving, then the 2019 Mazda Miata MX-5 Grand Touring is the car for you. It incorporates the best of European design with the reliability of Japanese engineering. Since 1990, the small agile Miata has continued to evolve and maintain its competitiveness in the roadster category.
Driving the Miata MX-5 is an exhilarating experience as it dodges in and out of traffic, eagerly taking on sharp corners and curves like a go-cart. With its spunky 4-cylinder engine, power convertible top, latest safety technology and convenient features, the 2019 Mazda Miata MX-5 remains relevant.
The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood generates 181 horsepower (hp) and 151 pound-feet of torque, which is 26 more hp than the previous year. It is paired with a rear-wheel-drive six speed manual transmission with paddle shifters. Despite the enhancements, the price remains competitive in the roadster field. Edmunds rates the 2019 Miata as its “Best Convertible Sports Car.”
The two-seater Miata comes in three trim levels, which includes the Sport, Club and Grand Touring. All are powered by the 2.0-liter four-cylinder with either the standard manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission. The new Grand Touring package offers more comfort, technology and convenience, including a sport-tuned suspension, leather seats, and automatic climate control.
Mazda’s i-Activesense package is also available with the Sport and Club models. It includes automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and low-speed forward collision and lane departure warnings.
The Grand Touring comes with the automatic transmission. The manual transmission and sport-tuned suspension is available in the GT-S package. Other features in the GT include a cloth-lined top, automatic wipers, leather upholstery, auto-dimming/heated driver-side mirror, and adaptive headlights with automatic high-beam control.
The 2019 Mazda Miata prices remain in the lower range in the sports roadster class. Base price for the 2019 Miata starts around $25,500 MSRP. It goes up to $29,500 for the mid-level Miata Club and begins at $30,000 for the MX-5 Grand Touring. Price as tested was $33,445 with the GT package.
