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2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF - What's New Review

2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring RF: the key fob to timeless open air motoring nirvana

2025 Mazda MX-5 Model Year Update :

Wireless mobile device connection 8.8" infotainment, multi-media screen with touch control for Android Auto, Apple CarPlay projection

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): $39,380 = as tested 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring RF ^{($30,585 MX-5 Sport 6MT)}

Curb Weight: 2515 pounds, 13.9:1 weight-to-power ratio

Powertrain - petrol: 2.0L DI 16V DOHC Skyactiv G I-4

Horsepower petrol / Torque (pound - feet): 181 horsepower (135 kW) @ 7000 r.p.m./ 151 lb-ft @ 4000 r.p.m.

Drivetrain / Final drive ratio: 6-speed manual helical transaxle, mechanical limited slip rear differential rear-wheel drive, 2.87:1

Chassis:

Front double wishbone, Rear four-link independent suspension, F&R: coil springs, sway bars, Bilstein mono-tube dampers
Front: 11.0" vented rotors, Rear: 11.0" solid rotors, F+R: 1-piston sliding calipers, mechanical parking brake
Bridgestone Potenza S007, 17 x 7.0"alloy wheels, front & rear 205/45-W, puncture mobility kit
Electric power steering, 15.5:1 ratio, 2.7 turns-to-lock

Dimensions:

Capacities:

Fuel Economy - observed (miles per gallon): 32 m.p.g.

Range (maximum): 404 miles (11.9 gallons)

Performance: 0-60 miles/ hour: 5.8 seconds; Top speed: 140 m.p.h.

_{Manufacturer Provided Specifications @2025 Roadblazing.com}

Revised limited slip rear differential
- cam mechanism includes new variable ramp angle conical clutch
- enhanced clutch lockup when slowing in turns reducing oversteer
- milder clutch lockup when accelerating out of turn for reduced understeer
Dynamic Stability Control Track mode fully disables DSC
larger 8.8" inch center upper dashboard infotainment display
- wired Android Auto, Apple CarPlay touch screen control
- Alexa voice control
Brighter instrument cluster
Revised exterior lighting
- Boomerang LED front DRLs
- Clear brake lamp center
Tandem contrast stitching on seat inserts, middle dashboard, middle upper door card, center console saddle

CARRIED OVER, MOSTLY UNCHANGED:

Performance 2-seat sport roadster
standard manual folding cloth convertible top, optional power retracting targa roof
Skyactiv G 2.0L DI DOHC petrol I-4 engine + 6-speed manual helical transmission, rear driven wheels, available limited slip rear differential
- (Available 6-speed torque converter automatic planetary transmission & steering wheel shift paddles)
Power ratings remain at 181 horsepower @ 7000 r.p.m. , 155 pound-feet @ 4000 r.p.m.
32 miles per gallon observed combined driving fuel economy (3.1 gal. / 100 mi.). Highway range is 404 miles.
Front double wishbone, rear multi-link suspension + four wheel disc brakes, front vented (available front Brembo 6-piston fixed calipers)
Collision avoidance braking, Blind spot warning, Lane departure warning, Rear cross traffic alert

BOTTOM LINE:

$39,380 price, as tested 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring RF 6-speed manual in Machine Gray Metallic + black leather seats (MX-5 Sport manual from $30,585)
3 years / 36,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty; 5 years, 60,000 miles powertrain warranty

LIKES ABOUT THE 2024 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA CLUB RF:

Two seat sport roadster for the ages
Sleek Mako shark, subtle ducktail back silhouette
High revving inline-four petrol powerplant + feather lightness
Heel to toe friendly pedal offset
Rowing the baseball stitched shifter head of the manual gearbox satisfies with positive short throws through all six gears, a firm clutch with short pedal travel and flashes of rawness.
Front double wishbone geometry provides precision turn-in. Bridgestone Potenza S adhesion, hustles through hairpins, with revised limited slip rear diff controlling rotation. A shapely helm is nimble, but never overtaxing, while communicating surface nibble. Quick damper compression makes for a reasonably compliant ride. Single pot disc binders modulate with progressive anchoring.
Avant garde, retro interior
Low fuel consumption
Comfortable, well bolstered heated seats
Traditional needle in dial high contrast instrumentation
Audio speakers inside seat headrests
Logical infotainment menu flow

NOT PREFERRED ABOUT THE 2024 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA CLUB RF:

Wind and road noise at speed, which headrest speakers can't overcome
Hard dashboard top
Meek exhaust
Restricted headroom
Transmission tunnel intrudes into passenger footwell
Trunk fits 1.75 roll-aboard suitcases
Shallow center console bin, awkward glovebox location between seatbacks, no door pockets
Barely any lower center stack smart phone storage
Limited driver assistance
Sunwash susceptible instrument cluster
No rev matching

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ROADBLAZING.COM BOTTOM LINE: The plushest version of the timeless sport roadster imparts many smiles per mile.