Don’t let sports cars fly under your radar. Options like the Toyota Supra and Mazda Miata are too fun to ignore, despite not exactly being practical for daily driving. Check out a few things you need to know about the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata. 

Seven things you need to know about the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata 

Before we dive in, the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata has a few upgrades to brag about. It has attractive new LED headlights/taillights, a larger 8.8-inch infotainment system, and a revised limited slip differential for the Club and Grand Touring trims. 

1. The 2024 Miata still has a manual transmission 

As most cars drop their manual transmissions, the Miata clings to life with a standard six-speed manual option. You can also opt for the available six-speed automatic transmission. 

I spent a week with a manual Miata and enjoyed its crips responses, smooth shifts, and precise simplicity for an engaging ride, even at lower speeds. The manual Miata can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.1 seconds. 

2. The Miata has a good fuel economy 

Surprisingly, the Miata has an excellent fuel economy, but it’s good to hear. The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and up to 35 mpg on the highway. 

During my week, I hovered around 30 mpg with trips on the interstate, country backroads, and congested city areas. 

3. There’s not much space 

The lack of storage hampers how practical the Miata is as a daily driver. There is only one small tray near the center console and no globe box to take advantage of. 

The cup holders seem flimsy and small. You can move them to three different spots, and it seems like the pieces could be easy to break with time. 

Also, the trunk space is limited, so keep that in mind while packing for longer road trips or bigger trips to the grocery store. 

4. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is loud 

My Miata model had the retractable hardtop, so I expected it to be quieter at highway speeds. However, it doesn’t matter if you have a hard or soft top. The cabin is pretty loud at speeds at or above 50 mph. 

But putting the top down is quick, easy, and fun. Also, the available nine-speed Bose audio system does an excellent job of covering the noise. 

5. Comfort is limited during longer trips 

The Mazda MX-5 Miata doesn’t have very many seat adjustment controls or space to scratch out. The seats hardly recline, so taller folks have to scrunch up behind the wheel. 

For some reason, the passenger footwell is smaller, meaning taller passengers have even less space to enjoy. Your knees may sit at an awkwardly high position and longer trips can cause leg cramps. 

Also, the seats are well-padded and supportive to make up for some of the difference. The heated steering wheel and seats are warm and soothing as well. 

6. The Miata is a bit firm 

The Mazda MX-5 Miata has a stiff suspension to improve its handling and performance. However, larger impacts on the road can cause some jostling. Smaller imperfections are quickly settled. 

This isn’t a dealbreaker as you may ignore when the ride gets bumpy because you’re having so much fun behind the wheel. 

7. The interior feels luxurious 

In typical Mazda fashion, the Miata has an elegant, attractive interior. Upscale materials such as weather upholstery cover the dash and door sides. Large sections of black, tan, and red upholstery are broken up by chrome accents and vibrant accent stitching. 

The layout was carefully planned to prioritize the steering wheel and gauges, allowing you to focus on the road with cozy comfort.