The 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a dream, especially for sports car enthusiasts on a budget. The Miata carries into 2011 largely unchanged -- which doesn’t bother critics and enthusiasts. "This little Mazda delivers as much driving enjoyment -- if not outright power -- as 2-seat sports cars costing thousands more," writes Consumer Guide.
Last year, the MX-5 Miata was named a Consumer Reports "Top Recommendation" and Consumer Guide "Best Buy." The 2010 MX-5 Miata was also our pick for Best Sports Car for the Money.
The Miata remains available in two models: a soft-top roadster and a Power Retractable Hard Top model. Inside, the Miata feels basic but cheerful, with exactly the layout you'd expect for a classic sports car. The 2010 Miata's four-cylinder engine—a 167-hp, 2.0-liter four—is very responsive and rev-happy, with sports car-perfect handling, quick short-ratio steering, and short-throw manual transmissions that are a joy to run through the gears. The Miata handles like a go-kart at low speeds and shows a surprising degree of poise for higher track speeds.
The standard soft top is easy to use and surprisingly weather-tight. The only downside of the soft top is noise; the Miata's top isn't as well-insulated as some pricier soft tops, and you'll get a fair amount of wind and road noise on the highway.
Standard equipment, at least in terms of comforts, is about on par with that of budget-conscious small cars; features on all models include power windows, power mirrors, a CD player, and tilt steering. Touring models include upgraded wheels and tires, a trip computer, keyless entry, and cruise control, while Grand Touring models add leather trim, heated seats, and automatic climate control, among other features. Options include the six-speed automatic, Sirius Satellite Radio, steering-wheel audio controls, and a sport suspension.
The "2011 Mazda MX-5" Miata is an affordable, two-seat roadster that combines performance with riding enjoyment. An awesome, fun and sweet-looking ride, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has always managed to make reviewers purr with contentment. Ranked as #1 among 5 Affordable Sports Cars by U.S. News Rankings and Reviews for 2010, the Mazda MX-5 Miata carries over into 2011 with few changes.
The lower weight helps this popular roadster deliver engine power more efficiently.Of course, in order to give the Miata it’s light weight and compact size, Mazda had to sacrifice on interior space and comfort.
The 2011 MX-5 interior includes standard power windows with air conditioning and leather wrapped steering wheel on the Sport models. Air conditioning, cruise control, power locks, keyless entry, fog lamps, and steering wheel-mounted audio controls are standard on the Touring models, and optional on the Sport models.
All models have a nice comfortable design and the Standard model includes a CD player. Even the premium packages may look rather limited compared to the swankier, higher-priced sports cars. The car also is not designed to leave every other car behind in its dust. Sports cars are all about the feel and the look, and the "2011 Mazda MX-5" Miata delivers on both of these qualities in winning fashion.
