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Sports cars are very appealing for auto enthusiasts, with their quick acceleration, pleasing driving dynamics, and sleek designs. A drawback, though, is they tend to be unreliable. Also, most sports cars aren’t very affordable. However, there’s an exception. The most reliable new sports car is also one of the cheapest: the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata.

The best sports car for reliability is the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Front angle view of red 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata, Consumer Reports most reliable sports car and one of the cheapest
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata | Mazda

Consumer Reports named the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata the most reliable new sports car. Every year, Consumer Reports unveils its list of most reliable cars — and for the most recent list, the MX-5 Miata is the only sports car to make the top 10, per USA Today. It placed 5th. 

Here is the Consumer Reports top 10 list of most reliable cars:

  1. 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
  2. 2023 Lexus GX
  3. 2023 MINI Cooper 
  4. 2022 Toyota Prius
  5. 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  6. 2023 Lincoln Corsair 
  7. 2023 Toyota Corolla
  8. 2023 Subaru Crosstrek 
  9. 2023 BMW 3 Series
  10. 2022 Toyota Prius Prime

The most reliable list is dominated by small sedans and hatchbacks, with the Corolla Hybrid taking the top spot. However, the MX-5 Miata is the lone sports car on this list. Also, Consumer Reports rates Mazda as one of the most reliable brands, with it placing fourth. Only Toyota, Honda, and BMW rank higher for reliability.

Rankings based on Auto Reliability Survey

Dashboard in 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata, Consumer Reports most reliable sports car and one of the most affordable
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata | Mazda

Consumer Reports bases the most reliable list on its annual Auto Reliability Survey. For the most recent one, CR collected owner surveys for over 300,000 vehicles over the previous 12 months. Owners were asked to identify various problem areas, such as engines, electrical systems, brakes, paint, and leaks.

New vehicles that had the fewest complaints in these problem areas ranked the highest for reliability. Since the MX-5 Miata and the Mazda brand fared well in the Auto Reliability Survey, they made the most reliable lists. 

2023 MX-5 Miata is one of the cheapest new sports cars

Along with being named the most reliable new sports car by Consumer Reports, the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata is also one the cheapest. With a starting price of only $28,050 MSRP, it’s the third-most affordable model. The only new ones that are cheaper are the 2023 Chevy Camaro ($26,400 MSRP) and the 2023 Ford Mustang ($27,770 MSRP). However, CR doesn’t recommend the Camaro or Mustang — due in part to reliability issues.

Here are the 10 cheapest new sports cars:

  1. 2023 Chevy Camaro: $26,400 MSRP
  2. 2023 Ford Mustang: $27,770 MSRP
  3. 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata: $28,050 MSRP
  4. 2023 Toyota GR86: $28,400 MSRP
  5. 2023 Honda Civic Si: $28,500 MSRP
  6. 2023 Subaru BRZ: $28,595 MSRP
  7. 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI: $30,530 MSRP
  8. 2023 Dodge Challenger: $30,545 MSRP
  9. 2023 Subaru WRX: $30,605 MSRP
  10. 2023 Acura Integra: $31,300 MSRP

2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata: Affordable and reliable sports car

If you desire a sports car that’s both affordable and reliable, then you’ll likely be pleased with the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata. It’s one of the cheapest new sports cars available — and the only one to make the top 10 list for reliability.

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Staff Writer, Producer - SUVs

Mark Putzer

With seven years of experience writing in the automotive industry prior to joining MotorBiscuit in 2021, Mark’s work can be found on dealership websites across North America. A Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison sent Mark into the wilderness for environmental studies. Here, he discovered a passion for driving off-road trucks and SUVs off the beaten path.

During his extensive international travels, Mark developed an affinity for foreign cars and international automotive markets. Inspired by the industry-wide push toward environmentally-friendly EVs and hybrids, Mark covers topics about recent advances in the automotive industry, in addition to everything from off-road concepts to emerging EV technology.