Mighty Miata

 2021 Mazda Miata MX-5 Grand Touring Top-Down and Fun to Drive

Randi Payton // Decisive Media Network

If you're looking for a two-seat convertible to drive around town, the 2021 Mazda Miata MX-5 Grand Touring fits the bill. Simply flip the soft-top down from the driver's seat, and it's eager to race.

Since 1990, the Mazda Miata MX-5, built with the best in Japanese engineering and European design, has earned a reputation as a fun-to-drive urban roadster. I enjoyed the exhilarating drive in the Miata MX-5 Grand Touring, especially dodging in and out of traffic. Like a go-cart, it enjoyed taking on sharp corners and curves.

With its spunky four-cylinder engine, latest safety technology, and convenient features, the 2021 Mazda Miata MX-5 remains competitive.

The two-seater Miata comes in three trim levels (Sport, Club, and Grand Touring) in either a soft-top convertible or a retractable hardtop (RF). All models come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a standard manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission. In addition, the new Grand Touring package offers more comfort, technology, and convenience, including a sport-tuned suspension, leather seats, and automatic climate control.

Models/Price: Mazda Miata Sport starts at $27,825 MSRP; the Club ranges between $31,880 to $34,635 for the RF; the Grand Touring is $32,765 for the soft-top and $35,520 for the RF.

Power: The Miata, powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, gets 181 horsepower with a standard six-speed manual transmission.  An optional automatic six-speed transmission raises the costs by $1,350 on the Sport and $525 on the Club and Grand Touring.

Fuel Economy: The Miata averages 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway, and 29 combined. The automatic transmission averages 26/35/30 mpg (city/highway/combined).

All models come well equipped with the latest safety features, including driver assistance technologies like blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. In addition, the top-of-line Grand Touring adds automatic high beams, traffic sign recognition, along with leather seats, automatic climate control, adaptive front lighting, and automatic wipers.

The Grand Touring also has an enhanced Sports package that includes a sports-tuned suspension with a limited-slip differential, front air dam, rear spoiler, and 17-inch wheels.