TOPLESS HORSELESS CARRIAGE IN UNISON WITH DRIVER: Enthusiasts whose needs are less than utilitarian and veer towards being one with open roof responsive driving joy by and large nod approvingly of the Mazda MX-5 roadster. If Roadblazing.com readers aren’t already familiar with the special place that what is affectionately called Miata occupies in the editor’s souls they need refer back no further than to last year’s beaming Bottom Line Review of the series ND 4th generation soft-top MX-5.
AS AUTUMN WARMTH FADES: a stunning Soul Red Crystal 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring is sufficient to spoil sensations with sunlit miles of open roof driving before winter’s winds arrive. This time, however, the convertible roof is called RF, for Retractable Folding hard top. Rider on Steed al fresco motoring, via a switch slipping the targa top beneath a hard tonneau, is but 13 seconds away.
2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring RF Driving Hits:
- Short throw, close ratio 6-speed close ratio manual has positive action (opt. 6-speed automatic w/ steering wheel shift paddles = $325)
- Low commuting clutch pedal effort disengages at comfortable height
- Flexiblity of torque (155 lb-ft) at under 4000 rpm
- 25 extra horsepower (net 180) of 2.0L Skyactiv-G DOHC inline-4
- Weight distribution improves to 51/ 49% Front/ Rear from MX-5 Soft Top
- 29 combined miles per gallon in a genuine sport roadster
- Runs on 87 regular octane gas
- 435 miles fuel tank range
- Taut road reaction without harshness courtesy of the Bilstein dampers
- Model of electric steering assist which allows road feel in
- Limited slip differential provides turn with barest oversteer powering out of corner
- Short brake pedal travel modulates responsively
- Bridgestone Potenza S001 three season performance rubber hangs on forever
- Ingot like build enhanced by engine bay shock tower braces
- Hard retracting targa top roof operates in 13 second
- Less interstate road and wind noise than MX-5 soft top
2020 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring RF Driving Misses:
- Exhaust sounds don’t impress
- 115 pounds heavier than MX-5 soft top
- Roof operates limited to maximum speed of 6 miles per hour
What It Has Got:
- Pricing: from $35,345 (incl. destination) for a 6-speed manual 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring RF
- Optional $595 for the stunningly Soul Red Crystal paint is worth 3 times that
- Muscular fenders and rear quarter panels, thin wisp headlamps peeking from under clamshell hood overhangs, pronounced Coke bottle fuselage and round taillamps with raceway LED arrow bezels leave no uncertainty that lots of cuteness belonging to MX-5 Miatas of old has been replaced with some aggressiveness.
- ELD analog sport gauges with 4.6″ color MFD
- Sport bucket have good torso support for road course support and long seat cushions for cruising comfort
- Accommodates 2 and two small duffel bags
- Above par standard feature set on RF models
- Keyless entry and push button ignition
- Cruise control
- Power windows express down, heated side mirrors
- Glass backlight w/ rear window defroster
- LED headlights
- Heated sport bucket seats
- Leather tilt, telescoping steering, gearshift lever, parking hand-brake
- 7.0″ color LCD touch and Mazda Connect rotary dial remote control media display
- Bose 9-speaker radio including headrest speakers HD radio streaming audio
- Bluetooth hands-free communication
- Android Auto, Apple Car Play phone projection
- MazdaConnect Apps (HD traffic, Pandora, aHa, Slacker, iHeart streaming radio)
- dual USB connections
