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10 Mazda MX-5 Miata Competitors to Consider

Charles Krome
by Charles Krome
October 7, 2018
5 min. Reading Time
2019 Mazda MX 5 Miata blue profile ・  Photo by Mazda

2019 Mazda MX 5 Miata blue profile ・ Photo by Mazda

Let’s face it: When it comes to direct, new-car rivals, there really aren’t that many Mazda MX-5 Miata competitors to consider. Only one other automaker builds a two-seat rear-wheel-drive convertible sports car for the same amount of money, and it’s based on the same platform as the Miata.

That said, you still can find new rides that offer some combination of the Miata’s benefits. A few also can provide advantages that the Mazda is missing. For example, the Miata isn’t the best choice if you have a family, or if you’re interested in the latest infotainment and safety technologies. And while the Miata undoubtedly is fun to drive, there are plenty of cars with a lot more power.

2019 Fiat 124 Spider

Mazda MX-5 Miata competitors to consider have to start with the 2019 FIAT 124 Spider. Built on the same platform as the Miata, the 124 shares many of the same key benefits. Both are lightweight two-seat roadsters with the kind of rear-wheel-drive powertrain that enthusiasts prefer. Of course, both have easy-open tops, too.

The Spider stands out with its Italian design flair and its actual powerplant. The Spider sports a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that makes 164 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque in its hi-po Abarth configuration. The Miata gets 17 more horses but 33 fewer lb-ft of torque from its naturally aspirated engine. The Miata is slightly more expensive as well, with an MSRP of $25,295.

 Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2019 Fiat 500c Abarth

Fiat actually has two of our favorite Mazda MX-5 Miata competitors to consider. The second is the 2019 FIAT 500c Abarth. As its name indicates, this entry begins life as a convertible version of the FIAT 500 city car. Next, it gets high-performance tuning from the automaker’s Abarth team. The 500c Abarth also relies on the same peppy turbo engine as the 124 Spider.

True, the 500c is a front-wheel-drive car, unlike the Miata. Yet you may barely notice, since part of the Abarth upgrade is a track-friendly suspension. What you might notice is that the 500c Abarth is even smaller than the MiataFiat manages to add two back seats, but in a car that’s more than a foot shorter in length than the Mazda.

 Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2019 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

Mazda MX-5 Miata competitors to consider include a couple of muscle cars. Our first is the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro convertible. The drop-top Camaro is a larger, more expensive car than the Miata. It’s about the same length as a midsize sedan and has an MSRP of nearly $33,000.

On the other hand, that means the Camaro is still one of the most affordable rear-wheel-drive convertibles on the market. The Chevy’s convertible top also is even easier to open, since it’s a power-retractable roof that’s operated with a single push of a button. For a technology advantage, the Camaro convertible—like most GM products—showcases a standard mobile Wi-Fi hotspot and is available with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. All of that is missing from the Miata.

 Photo by General Motors

Photo by General Motors

2019 Ford Mustang Convertible

The second muscle car among our Mazda MX-5 Miata competitors to consider is the 2019 Ford Mustang. (Because the Dodge Challenger isn’t available as a convertible, it doesn’t make the cut here.) With the Mustang convertible, you’re again dealing with a more expensive car than the Miata. However, as with the Camaro, you’re also getting more car for your money.

Consider: The Mustang convertible features a standard 310-hp turbo engine, launch control for perfect takeoffs, and a line-lock function. This is meant only for track situations where you want to warm up the rear wheels by letting them spin with the front brakes locked. The Mustang further matches the Camaro—but not the Miata—by offering mobile Wi-Fi, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

 Photo by Ford

Photo by Ford

2019 BMW Z4

As for more premium Mazda MX-5 Miata competitors to consider, we can recommend the 2019 BMW Z4. Now, BMW’s all-new two-seat roadster isn’t expected in dealerships until the spring of 2019.

But when it does arrive, the Z4 will be packing a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine that’s good for 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. BMW also promises a “perfect” 50:50 weight distribution and an eight-speed automatic transmission with launch control. Step up to the Z4 M40i model and BMW delivers a six-cylinder turbo engine. That mill kicks out 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. At this point, the Z4 can zoom from 0-60 in 5.5 seconds. The price point? You can expect the Z4 to open north of $50,000.

 Photo by BMW

Photo by BMW

2019 Audi TT Roadster

High-end Mazda Mx-5 Miata competitors to consider also include the 2018 Audi TT Roadster. With an entry cost of $47,450, the TT Roadster is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter turbo engine that makes 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Put the pedal to the metal here and the TT can dash from 0-60 in 5.6 seconds.

In addition, the TT’s higher price point translates into higher levels of premium content. Audi’s 12.3-inch virtual instrument panel is standard, as are heated leather-trimmed front seats, a racing-style flat-bottomed steering wheel, an adaptive rear spoiler, and full LED headlights. Another way the TT stands out is with standard quattro all-wheel drive and an available Bang & Olufsen audio system.

 Photo by Audi

Photo by Audi

2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF

At this stage, you might be wondering if there are any hardtop Mazda MX-5 Miata competitors to consider. Well, that’s exactly what the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is for. It takes everything you love about the soft-top Miata and covers it with a power-retractable metal roof.

When the top is up, the car has a dramatic fastback appearance and is ideal for all-weather driving. But it takes a mere 13 seconds for the car’s metal roof to fold up out of the way, and that happens without impacting the Miata’s cargo space. Nor does the hardtop have much of an impact on the car’s weight. To maintain the Miata’s nimble reflexes, the RF version is a mere 115 pounds heavier than its soft-top sibling.

 Photo by Mazda

Photo by Mazda

2019 Toyota 86

If you’re less concerned about a convertible top, and more focused on driving excitement, we suggest trying the 2019 Toyota 86. It’s one of the few Mazda MX-5 Miata competitors to consider with an affordable price tag, rear-wheel drive, and a real sports-car design.

Developed in partnership with Subaru, the 86 also has one of that brand’s boxer-style engines. This motor has a flat design that lowers the car’s center of gravity. The result is noticeably improved handling. Oh, and that engine delivers 205 hp, which is 24 more than the Miata. The 2019 86 then raises the bar with a TRD Special Edition. With this package, you’ll enjoy Brembo brakes, SACHS dampers, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, a TRD exhaust system, and a TRD body kit.

 Photo by Toyota

Photo by Toyota

2019 MINI Cooper Convertible

A closer match among the Mazda MX-5 Miata competitors to consider is the 2019 MINI Cooper Convertible. It has about the same footprint as the Miata, and with an MSRP of $26,900, it’s in the same price range. The MINI also has the same sharp handling.

Important advantages for the Cooper include two rear seats and better EPA ratings. The Mazda isn’t exactly thirsty, with fuel economy grades of 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined. The MINI, though, can post an EPA line of 28/38/31. The flip-side to this is less engine output, unless you opt for the Cooper S or John Cooper Works models. The latter leads the lineup with 228 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque.

 Photo by MINI

Photo by MINI

2019 Subaru BRZ

The 2019 Subaru BRZ may remind you of an earlier car on our list of Mazda MX-5 Miata competitors to consider. That’s because it’s essentially the same vehicle as the 2019 Toyota 86.

The BRZ does have distinct Subaru touches, like the boxer-style engine we mentioned with the 86. The BRZ also offers a Subaru Starlink infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Neither of those connectivity technologies is available for the 86. Both cars have a split-folding rear seat to expand their rear cargo spaces. Subaru and Toyota don’t publish specs for total storage for the 86 or the BRZ, but here’s the bottom line: Each of these rear-wheel-drive sports cars is more practical than the Miata.

 Photo by Subaru

Photo by Subaru


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