The MX-5 has always been about one thing: fun. That’s been the formula since 1989, and Mazda hasn’t strayed from it. The soft-top looks just right, small, low, and simple. It doesn’t try to overcomplicate things with oversized grilles or flashy angles. Instead, it feels timeless, the kind of design that will still look sharp in ten years. And with the cloth roof folded back, it has that pure roadster feel that no hardtop can fully replicate. While it’s not the most practical daily driver, it’s the kind of car every garage would benefit from having.
The MX-5 is all about how it makes you feel, and not the numbers on paper. Yes, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder makes 181 horsepower, which doesn’t sound like much compared to modern turbocharged sports cars. But the car only weighs about 1,100 kilograms, so every horsepower feels alive. The engine loves to be revved out, and the six-speed manual gearbox is as good as it gets, with short throws, a satisfying click into each gear, and perfectly spaced ratios.
On a twisty road, the MX-5 is a reminder of how much fun can come from simplicity. The steering is direct and communicative, the chassis is playful but balanced, and the car dances through corners with a lightness you don’t get in bigger, heavier sports cars. You don’t have to be going fast speeds to enjoy it, you can wring it out at 60-80 km/h and still have a smile on your face.
There’s something special about the cloth roof version. Unlike the RF hardtop, the soft-top is lighter, simpler, and gives you a better sense of open-air driving. It folds down in seconds because there are no motors or complex mechanisms. Yes, you’ll hear more wind noise and road sounds, but that’s part of the charm. It feels raw, authentic, and a little old-school in the best way. For anyone who actually wants to use the car as it’s meant to be, weekend drives, back-road exploring, summer evening cruises, the soft-top is the one that delivers the truest experience.
The MX-5 isn’t comfortable, but it’s not meant to be, and it was never built for practicality anyway. The cabin is tight, storage space doesn’t exist, and taller drivers might find it a squeeze. But once you’re in, the seats are comfortable and supportive, and Mazda has given the interior just enough tech without going overboard, it doesn’t feel dated, yet it’s not overly advanced either. There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a clean layout, and a few updated materials that make it feel modern without distracting from the driving. If you’re looking for a quiet cruiser or something that can haul more than a weekend bag, this isn’t it. But if you go in with the right expectations, it feels perfectly suited for what it is, a driver’s car first and foremost.
Starting around the high $30k mark in Canada, the MX-5 is still one of the best performance bargains on the market. It’s rare to find a car at this price point that delivers so much character. Sports cars with more power exist, but they’re often double the price, much heavier, and not nearly as fun day to day.
The 2025 Mazda MX-5 soft-top isn’t just a car, it’s an experience. It strips driving back to its essentials and focuses on the connection between driver, machine, and road. Sure, it’s small, noisy, and impractical, but those aren’t flaws for the kind of person it’s built for. They’re reminders that this is a car designed with joy as its main priority. If you want something that makes every drive feel like an event, and you’re okay with trading space and quiet for smiles per mile, the MX-5 remains one of the best sports cars you can buy today.
