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MazdaMX-5 (2015-)

Available new
Sports
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
2015 model + 2019/2023 updates tested

£27,086Typical price

Test score

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Ever since 1990, Mazda has dominated the affordable sports car market with its MX-5. This fourth-generation Mazda MX-5, launched in 2015, keeps the successful roadster largely intact but looks a little sharper and more aggressive. Is this the definitive sports car? Read our full road-test review to find out.

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What's included?

What is it?
What’s it great at?
What’s it like to drive?
How reliable is the Mazda MX-5 (2015 to present)?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

May 2025Last checked by Which?
Jul 2017First reviewed by Which?
Jan 2015Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

6 Jun 2025

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectiveness of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performance is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (small and sports cars)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of two stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. Any car that receives three stars can't be a Best Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Safety kit

How we test safety kit

We factor in the safety equipment that’s factory-fitted or optional, along with how well the car protects its occupants and pedestrians in the event of an accident. We also test how easy it is to fit a variety of child car seats.

Model reliability 5-9 years

How we test model reliability 5-9 years

How reliable this car is, based on the real life feedback of current owners as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Petrol reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Sports
Luxury	No
Convertible	Yes
Availability	Available new
New price	£27,086 - £34,043
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	44.1 to 47.1mpg
Length	3,915mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,735mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	1,925mm
Height	1,225 to 1,230mm
Driver max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	2
Folding rear seats	No
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	10.3 m
On sale date	21 July 2015
Model years tested	2015 model + 2019/2023 updates tested
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£12.94

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	SKYACTIV-G 184 Homura
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	2-litre (184hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	45 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	13.6p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£60
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Medium
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	148
Official fuel economy: WLTP	47.9 to 33.6
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d
Engine test date	24 July 2023
Test programme	2017

Engine two
Engine and trim name	SKYACTIV-G 184 Sports-Line
Fuel	Petrol
Capacity and power	2-litre (184hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	45 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	13.81p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£60
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Medium
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	146
Official fuel economy: WLTP	47.9 to 33.6
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d-Temp
Engine test date	10 January 2019
Car test programme	2017

Engine three
Engine and trim name	SKYACTIV-G 131 Sports-Line
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.5-litre (131hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	45 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	12.94p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£60
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Medium
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	137
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Engine test date	20 April 2016
Car test programme	2012-2016

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