The Mazda MX-5 1.8 MT is considered here through the lens of regular commuting: the repeated trips that fill a working week, and the personal preferences that decide whether a car suits them.
3 generation · Roadster
Generation photo. Individual trim appearance may differ.
The highest speed a vehicle can sustain under manufacturer test conditions. Some cars are electronically limited below their mechanical potential. Glossary entry
196 km/h
Engine type
Gasoline
Transmission
Manual
Type of boost?
A turbocharger or supercharger compresses the air entering the engine so a smaller engine can produce more power. Naturally aspirated engines draw air without a compressor. Glossary entry
No
Type of drive?
Which wheels receive power: front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive can send power to every wheel for extra traction. Glossary entry
RWD
Bore and stroke?
The diameter of a cylinder (bore) and the distance the piston travels inside it (stroke). Together they determine the displacement of the engine. Glossary entry
83 × 83.1 mm
Engine capacity?
The total volume swept by all pistons inside the cylinders, usually stated in cubic centimetres or litres. Larger displacement often means more power but higher consumption. Glossary entry
1798 cm³
Engine location
Front, longitudinal
Number of gears?
How many fixed forward ratios a gearbox offers. More gears can improve economy and refinement; continuously variable transmissions have no fixed steps. Glossary entry
5
Maximum power?
A unit of engine or motor output. One metric horsepower is about 0.735 kilowatts. Peak power is normally reached at high engine speed. Glossary entry
125 hp
Maximum power, kw?
A unit of engine or motor output. One metric horsepower is about 0.735 kilowatts. Peak power is normally reached at high engine speed. Glossary entry
93 kW
Compression ratio?
The ratio between the largest and smallest volume of a cylinder as the piston moves. Higher ratios improve efficiency but may require higher-octane fuel. Glossary entry
10.8
Maximum power rpm
6500 rpm
Maximum torque N⋅m
167 N⋅m
Maximum torque rpm
4500 rpm
Acceleration to 100?
The time a vehicle needs to reach 100 km/h from a standstill, a common shorthand for overall performance. Glossary entry
9.4 s
Engine power system
Distributed injection (multi-point)
Number of cylinders
4
Valves per cylinder?
The number of intake and exhaust valves in each cylinder. Four valves per cylinder is common and helps the engine breathe at higher speeds. Glossary entry
4
Cylinder arrangement
Inline
Maximum power ICE
Not provided
Maximum power ICE
Not provided
Energy & emissions
ECO class
Euro 4
Battery power
Not provided
Fuel grade
95
Mild Hybrid?
A car with a small electric motor and battery that assist the combustion engine and recover braking energy but cannot drive on electricity alone. Glossary entry
Not provided
Battery type
Not provided
CO2 emissions?
The amount of carbon dioxide released per kilometre under a standardised test. Lower figures usually go hand in hand with lower fuel consumption. Glossary entry
174 g/km
Full charge home
Not provided
Power consumption
Not provided
Fuel tank capacity
50 l
Full public charging time
Not provided
Driving range, maximum?
The distance an electric or plug-in vehicle can travel on a full charge under a stated test cycle. Temperature, speed and load change the real result. Glossary entry
Not provided
Driving range, minimum?
The distance an electric or plug-in vehicle can travel on a full charge under a stated test cycle. Temperature, speed and load change the real result. Glossary entry
Not provided
Fuel consumption city
9.9 l
Average consumption
7.3 l
Fuel consumption highway
5.8 l
Dimensions & body
Doors number
2
Number of seats
2
Width
1720 mm
Height
1245 mm
Length
3995 mm
Body type
Roadster
Wheelbase?
The distance between the centres of the front and rear wheels. A longer wheelbase usually gives more cabin space and a calmer ride; a shorter one helps agility and parking. Glossary entry
2330 mm
U-turn diameter
Not provided
Depth of the ford to be crossed
Not provided
Body style
Drop-top
Rear track width?
The distance between the centres of the two wheels on the same axle. A wider track generally improves stability in corners. Glossary entry
1495 mm
Trunk volume max
Not provided
Trunk volume min
150 l
Front track width?
The distance between the centres of the two wheels on the same axle. A wider track generally improves stability in corners. Glossary entry
1490 mm
Max weight
1355 kg
Curb weight?
The weight of the vehicle with all standard equipment and fluids but without passengers or cargo. Glossary entry
1155 kg
Ground clearance, maximum?
The gap between the lowest point of the underbody and the road. More clearance helps on rough roads and steep driveway ramps. Glossary entry
Not provided
Ground clearance, minimum?
The gap between the lowest point of the underbody and the road. More clearance helps on rough roads and steep driveway ramps. Glossary entry
136 mm
Identity & configuration
Body code
NC
Vehicle class
S
Body designation
NCEC
Right-hand drive
No
Additional specifications
Stop
2008-10-31
Start
2005-03-01
Wheel size
Not provided
Rear brakes
Disc
Front brakes
Ventilated disc
Rear suspension
Independent, spring
Front suspension
Independent, spring
No specifications match your search. Try another label or value, or clear the search.
Not provided means the source has no value. Zero remains zero. Units are shown as supplied; range test cycles are only stated when known.
Fuel cost calculator
Estimates use only the figures you enter, in your own currency. No live fuel prices or emissions data are used.
Fuel per trip
L
Trip cost
Monthly cost
Annual cost
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Engine and Transmission
On a familiar commute, most of the driving happens at moderate speeds between junctions, so drivers tend to value predictable behaviour when pulling away and when holding a steady pace. What matters is how those responses match the route someone actually drives.
Drivetrain and Everyday Driving
Controls used every day become automatic, and that habit is worth something: a driver who reaches for a stalk or switch without looking keeps attention on traffic. Layouts differ between cars, so the fit with personal habits stays individual.
Body and Practicality
A commuter usually carries the same few items each day, such as a bag, a coat and a bottle. Loads like these are easiest to live with when there is a settled place for them that needs no rearranging at every stop.
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