Written by Marco Carvajal
2021 MX-5 Miata Grand Touring
Test driving the fantastic Miata MX-5 is fun and exciting on Florida’s coastline. The new 2021 MX-5 Miata Grand Touring is very stylish with a solid hardtop and updated modern design.
Mazda’s flagship roadster, the Miata has evolved through 3 decades, bringing excitement to millions of drivers around the globe.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a roadster sports car only for two passengers, it is a great car to drive on on relaxing weekends and to have as a second car. The new 2021 MX-5 model offers new features and new interior and exterior colors.
The Mazda MX-5 was included in the list of the 10 best cars according to Car and Driver magazine.
The new Miata includes three trims, MX-5 Sport, MX-5 Club, and the top of the line MX-5 Grand Touring. Only two of these trims are available with the RF retractable fastback hardtop, the Miata Club, and the Miata Grand Touring that I am test driving.
New features like wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM with three-month trial subscription, SiriusXM three-year traffic and travel link subscription keep rejuvenating the Miata.
History
The cute and sporty Miata is manufactured by Mazda in Hiroshima, Japan. The Miata debuted at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show and it has been selling and selling non-stop since its release.
The MX-5 was conceived as a small roadster, inspired by small British and Italian sports roadsters from the 60s, like the Triumph Spitfire, MG MGB, Datsun 2000, Fiat 124 Sport Spider, Alfa Romeo Spider , and the Lotus Elan among others.
While other compact roadsters like the Miata have come and gone, the Miata is still strong in its segment withstanding the test of time and it seems that it is here to stay. Perhaps the key to its success through time is a combination of a cute sporty classic exterior and interior look that seems to be appealing to all generations present and past. Then a great low price, and finally a fast engine that can make fast drivers reach their dream of owning a fast and sporty car without breaking their budget.
Mazda has already sold more than a million Miata cars, and is considered the car image of the Japanese automaker.
Engine and Performance
The new MX-5 Grand Tourist has a standard Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter engine. It is capable of producing 181 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. It is a fast and strong engine, especially for such a compact car like the Miata, it can run fast.
The Miata’s MX-5 powertrain can be configured with a Skyactiv-MT six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
2021 MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Highlights:
- 29 MPG average, 26 City / 34 Hwy
- Standard Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter engine
- 181 hp. 151 lb-ft of torque.
- 6-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter
- 6-speed Sport automatic transmission with paddle shifters
- Rear-wheel drive
- 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels in Dark Silver finish
- LED headlights with Adaptive Front-lighting System and LED taillights
- Black door sill trim plates with stainless steel inserts
- Body-colored heated power side mirrors
- Auto-dimming driver’s side mirror
- Rain-sensing variable-intermittent windshield wipers
- Leather three-spoke steering wheel
- Heated leather-trimmed seats
- Automatic climate control
- Bose 9-speaker audio system with AudioPilot
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Mazda Navigation System
- Infotainment System
- Adaptive Front-lighting System
- Standard i-Activsense safety
Exterior style
New for 2021, the exterior paint color deep crystal blue is available on the 2021 MX-5. The updated new MX-5 Grand Touring includes a limited-slip differential, Bilstein dampers, a front shock tower brace, and sport-tuned suspension for a sportier ride an elegant look on the road.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a very good choice for the car buyer looking for a roadster compact model that offers a low budget and driving excitement that is both entertaining and highly accessible in its convertible segment.
Interior style
The interior quality, as with other Mazda automobiles, offers great value for the money and is much prettier on the inside than some of its competitors. Especially high-end trims like the Miata MX-5 Grand Touring are very appealing.
The MX-5 is equipped with heated black cloth-trimmed seats with silver stitching, a black rear lip spoiler, and black interior accents. Then to complete the luxury elegant feel you can enjoy vinyl leather inside the MX-5 Miata.
New for the 2021 Miata model, the MX-5 Grand Touring is available with very elegant white Nappa leather seats producing a classic atmosphere inside the Miata.
Tech integration is included in the Miata with the Mazda Connect Infotainment System with advanced features, wireless Apple CarPlay, and SiriusXM among other new features.
I love driving the Miata, but it is a compact roadster, if you are a tall driver you may run out of legroom, and will have a hard time getting comfortable behind the wheel of the Miata MX-5. Most drivers will find harmony between the pedals, gear stick, and steering wheel placement.
The sleek cabin design makes the most of the uncluttered space and prioritizes driving fun. Excellent all-around visibility and intuitive technology help you enjoy riding the Miata MX-5.
The power hardtop retracts in approximately 13 seconds and is operated with a rocker switch on the lower center console.
The RF, retractable fastback is exclusive to the MX-5 Club and MX-5 Grand Touring
The 4.6 cubic foot trunk of the Miata is small, the available space in the trunk is identical in the hardtop of soft-top version. The hardtop RF is approximately 100 pounds heavier than a soft-top MX-5.
Trims and Pricing
You can enjoy the new 2021 MX-5 Miata in 3 main trim levels, Sport, Club and Grand Tourism. Pricing is very good starting around 26K for the MX-5 Sport with manual transmission.
2021 MX-5 Sport
$26,830 Starting MSRP – Manual Transmission
$28,180 Starting MSRP – Automatic Transmission
2021 MX-5 Club
$30,290 Starting MSRP – Manual Transmission
$30,890 Starting MSRP – Automatic Transmission
2021 MX-5 Club RF
$33,045 Starting MSRP – Manual Transmission
$33,645 Starting MSRP – Automatic Transmission
2021 MX-5 Grand Touring
$31,770 Starting MSRP – Manual Transmission
$32,295 Starting MSRP – Automatic Transmission
2021 MX-5 Grand Touring RF
$34,525 Starting MSRP – Manual Transmission
$35,050 Starting MSRP – Automatic Transmission
Safety Features
The list of safety features in the new Miata keeping getting bigger and better, however many features are not standard and you must pay to have them.
Standard i-Activsense safety features include Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Smart City Brake Support, and Lane Departure Warning System.
Features like Traffic Sign Recognition, Adaptive Front-lighting System, and High Beam Control are optional safety features that can be added.
