Acceleration

Touring, auto.	Sport w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Grand Touring w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Class Average
6	6	6	6.4

Brisk from all speeds, with satisfying low-rpm response. Six-speed manual transmission has short throws, but must be shifted with authority. Responsive automatic transmission boasts user-friendly paddle shifts, blunts power only slightly. No opportunity to test with 5-speed manual.

Fuel Economy

Touring, auto.	Sport w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Grand Touring w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Class Average
6	6	6	5.5

Test 6-speed manual-transmission MX-5s averaged 21.3-23.8 mpg in mixed city/highway driving, 28.4 mpg in mostly highway use. Automatic-transmission test car averaged 23.4 mpg. Mazda recommends premium-grade fuel for MX-5.

Ride Quality

Touring, auto.	Sport w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Grand Touring w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Class Average
4	3	3	3.9

Appropriately firm with base suspension, but not uncomfortable. Frequent choppy motions on uneven pavement with less-compliant combination of Suspension Package, 17-inch tires.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Touring, auto.	Sport w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Grand Touring w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Class Average
8	9	9	8

Steering rewardingly quick and precise, though some testers find it unnecessarily heavy at low and moderate speed. With 17-inch tires, sharp bumps trigger steering deflection, detracting from control and tracking. MX-5 easily conquers corners, exhibits little lean, though some testers say tail tends to swing wide too early in fast turns. Fine stopping power, control.

Quietness

Touring, auto.	Sport w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Grand Touring w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Class Average
2	2	2	3.2

Road noise prominent with top up. Normal conversation easy at 60 mph top down. Engine has nice performance tone; exhaust note trumpets sports car personality, but some testers find it contrived, tiresome.

Controls

Touring, auto.	Sport w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Grand Touring w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Class Average
6	6	8	5.5

Well-placed controls. Gauges clearly marked, easy to read. Hard plastic surfaces dominate interior, but don't look cheap. Available leather trim dresses up cockpit.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Touring, auto.	Sport w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Grand Touring w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Class Average
3	3	3	5.2

Drivers well over 6-ft tall may want for more leg room and feel confined with top up. Those under 5-ft-6 may have trouble seeing over high instrument panel. Most occupants will complain of intrusion from unpadded cupholder molded into front door panels. Seats support well in turns. Top-up blind spots hinder lane changes. Top lowers easily, but weight, construction make raising it a little awkward for some users; try before you buy.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Touring, auto.	Sport w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Grand Touring w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Class Average
0	0	0	1.4

(No rear seating.)

Cargo Room

Touring, auto.	Sport w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Grand Touring w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Class Average
1	1	1	3.2

Small trunk requires careful packing. Little in-cabin storage space; second set of cupholders, located in center console, interfere with gearshift when in use.

Value within Class

Touring, auto.	Sport w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Grand Touring w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Class Average
10	10	9	6.6

Mazda's 2006 redesign trades a little bit of this 2-seater's lithe nature for a more masculine bearing. In the bargain, it gains power and safety features at prices starting some $1500 below the outgoing version. As always, MX-5 delivers as much driving enjoyment--if not outright power--as 2-seat sports cars costing thousands more. That's the definition of a sporty/performance car Best Buy.

Total Score

Touring, auto.	Sport w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Grand Touring w/Susp. Pkg., man.	Class Average
46	46	47	48.9

Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score		40
Average Score		48
High Score		58