If there is one thing that has been constant in the automotive industry for 30-some years, it’s that the Mazda MX-5 Miata is always a bargain of a sports car. This, despite yearly increases in its price since its humble beginnings in 1989 as the tiny, lightweight, stripped-down original to keep pace with inflation and new-car prices generally. Even so, the Miata still starts at less than $30,000, and this year’s incremental price increase only just misses the $500 mark—meaning it’s still hard to argue against the purchase of a new MX-5. Luckily, there are some new items to go with the Miata’s modest price bump for 2022.
Pure Cornering Machine
The handling of the MX-5 has always been top notch, but it seems it still isn’t perfect enough for Mazda. For 2022, the Miata gets a new technology from Mazda called Kinematic Posture Control (KPC). The KPC is described as an extension of the driver that “manages different vehicle systems to help the MX-5 Miata” without “adding a single gram of weight.”
It’s nearly a form of vectoring control, but instead of powering the outside rear wheel harder using a tricky rear differential, the inside wheel gets a touch of braking during high-G cornering. This “pulls down on that corner, suppressing body roll, and making steering response feel more linear through tight or rough corners,” according to Mazda. Stronger braking is also used when accelerating through the corner as a way to enhance the action of the Miata’s limited-slip differential.
Other New Items
New colors are also coming to the interior and exterior of everyone’s favorite roadster. If you opt for the Grand Touring trim, you’ll be able to add Terracotta Nappa Leather for $300 more. For all models, a new color called Platinum Quartz Metallic is a no-cost paint option. It’s a true sign of Mazda continuing its reach into the premium segment, because you can’t call something “rich” without there being some platinum in it (we kid). That’s not to say the new paint it isn’t a beautiful shade of off-white, however, as it looks amazing on the MX-5 in its hardtop retractable fastback (RF) form.
Returning Favorites
That retractable hardtop RF body style returns for 2022, as does the 181-hp, 151-lb-ft 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G I-4 engine. One key change, however, is that all versions of the MX-5 will now have a six-speed manual transmission as their sole transmission option save for the Grand Touring trim. That will be the only way to get Mazda’s available six-speed automatic transmission and its “flappy paddles” behind the steering wheel for some manual control. Polymetal Gray Metallic returns as an optional color for $395 and that is the same price for the Snowflake White Pearl Mica. For $595, you can get your MX-5 in Soul Red Crystal Metallic or Machine Gray Metallic.
2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport
The entry level into the Miata life, the sport is the purest form of the MX-5 as it only comes with a six-speed manual and black soft top. It also comes with metallic black 16-inch aluminum wheels, dual exhaust tips, LED headlights and tail lights, and gloss black door mirrors and third brake light cover. This would look great with the new Platinum Quartz Metallic body color.
Standard safety includes the i-Activsense safety suite which includes blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, smart brake support for city driving, and lane departure warning. Meanwhile, convenience features include daytime running lights, variable-intermittent wipers, and rear glass window defogger.
Inside, the driver and passenger sit in cloth bucket seats while the steering wheel is wrapped in leather and has audio, Bluetooth, and cruise control buttons on it. As added for 2021, the wheel also features telescoping (in addition to tilt) to fit more drivers’ body types. Leather is also found on the shifter knob and parking brake lever. With the top down or up, you can cruise around listening to the six-speaker audio system hooked into the seven inch touchscreen infotainment display with Mazda Connect, dual USB inputs, and Apple CarPlay and Android Audio. Other features include keyless entry, climate control, a pair of removable cup holders, padded door armrests, power locks, mirrors, and windows that also have a one-touch window down feature. It starts at $28,315.
2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club
It may not come with a turbocharged engine, but the Miata Club is the next step in the roadster lineup and its base performance model. If you’re tracking or even doing some hard canyon driving, this is the trim for you, as it comes with Bilstein dampers, a front shock tower brace, and a limited-slip differential. Other defining features include a set of black 17-inch aluminium wheels; a gloss black front air dam, rear lip spoiler, and back seat trim; a trunk lid mounted shark fin antenna; body-color third brake light cover; black cloth seats with light gray stitching; and vinyl interior trim. The daytime running lights are upgraded to LEDs.
Amenities start with the standard fare from the Sport and are upgraded to include wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio (with a free three-month trial), and Bose nine-speaker premium sound system with headrest speakers and subwoofer. Available with only the six-speed manual and soft top, the Miata Club starts at $31,815.
2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club With The Brembo, BBS, Recaro Package
Now, if you want extra performance and the retractable fastback, the Miata Club with the Brembo, BBS, and Recaro package is the one you’re looking for. In addition to the standard Club options, you also get track focused parts such as the Brembo front brake package with red painted front and rear calipers and dark gunmetal 17-inch forged BBS wheels. Giving the occupants more support and heating are a pair of Recaro sport seats.
The body also gains new aero parts in gloss black such as the side sill extensions and rear bumper skirt. The cloth top is black but the retractable top of the RF is hand painted in your Miata’s body color. Either top only comes with a six-speed manual transmission, but the soft top starts at $36,315 while the RF starts at $39,215.
2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring
If you’re looking for more comfort to go with your sporty Miata, then you want the Grand Touring trim. Again, this is the only way to get the six-speed automatic transmission and Terracotta Nappa leather seats. It also gets additional safety features such as the adaptive front lighting system, automatic headlights, high-beam control, rain-sensing wipers, auto dimming driver’s outside mirror, and traffic sign recognition. The gloss black air dam and rear lip spoiler of the Club are traded out for body color heated door mirrors, door sill trim plates, and dark silver 17-inch aluminum wheels.
If you don’t opt for the Terracotta heated seats, you’ll get the Grand Touring’s standard heated black leather versions. These seats are also contrasted by bright silver finishes to brighten up the Miata’s interior a bit. You’ll also drive to your destination with guidance thanks to Mazda Navigation and constant comfort thanks to automatic climate control. A three year SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link subscription is also included. The Grand Touring price starts at $33,315 for the automatic transmission soft top, $36,015 for the automatic RF top, $33,815 for the manual soft top, and $36,565 for the manual RF top.
