Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe and Sports 2009 review

The model is now more than 20 years old and in its third generation guise.  But the sweetly styled sportscar has remained a light-weight two-seater, powered by a rear drive four-cylinder engine with perfect 50-50 weight balance.

Mazda's now retired MX5 program manager, Takao Kijima, says the company has resisted temptation to fiddle with the formula that has made the MX5 a world-wide success.

Kijima knows what he's talking about. He was the chassis engineer on the first MX5 when work started on it in 1986, culminating in its launch in 1989.

Explore the 2009 Mazda MX-5 range

• Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe and Sports 2009 review
• Mazda MX-5 2009 review: road test
• Mazda MX-5 manual 2009 review
• Mazda MX-5 2009 review

More than 850,000 have been sold worldwide and it has won too many awards to list. Kijima admits that a bigger engine, maybe even a rotary, would give the car faster acceleration but its essence would be lost.

"If we put a bigger engine in it would be a much more expensive car too," he says. "It's our philosophy to deliver a light sportscar.  It's very important for us to provide maximum satisfaction for the driver."

Turbocharging too would be beneficial but overkill, he says. However, the company is aware that it must keep the car fresh.

To that end the newest MX5 adopts the more pronounced Mazda `smiley face’ family grille and some subtle design changes that deliver a tougher, more masculine look. The lower side sills provide a stronger, more aerodynamic look and the rear bumper and lights are better integrated.

Mazda has added a new model to the line-up, the Roadster Coupe Sports, bringing to four the number of model choices. With the revisions have come modest prices rises of 2 per cent, between $980 and $1195 depending on the model.

Apart from exterior changes the cabin has been reworked slightly to lift quality and improve user friendliness. The excellent Bose sound system carries over and so too, the car's excellent passive and active safety systems.

An auxiliary jack is also now part of the package for MP3 compatibility. The 2.0-litre four cylinder S-VT engine also continues but has been tweaked to provide better mid-range response and fuel economy.

The engine now spins out to 7500 revs and the synchromesh on the six-speed manual gearbox has been improved for smoother shifting. Manual buyers also get a limited slip differential as standard. The six-speed Activematic, which accounts for about 38 per cent of all sales, is a $2200 option.

Underneath, the double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension has been tuned for more precise reaction to steering inputs and the front roll centre has been lowered 26mm for more linear steering response.

The MX5 continues to have one of the stiffest two-seater convertible body structures around.  Almost 60 per cent of the car's body is made from ultra-high tensile steel and this creates a very stiff body structure.

The hardtop is expected to account for 80 per cent of sales and its light-weight folding roof folds compactly into a space behind the rear seats, allowing maximum use of the boot.  Mazda also points out that because the roof mechanism is relatively simple and does not fold into the boot - closer to any rear end shunts - the car's insurance premium is better.  Like the previous model, the hardtop opens or closes in 12 seconds.

Mazda says extra sound-deadening in the hardtop has helped lower cabin noise. In true Mazda fashion, the individual changes add up to another complete sportscar. Driving FIRST up, we'd have to say that the MX5 has no logical competitors this side of a Lotus.

Of its closest rivals, perhaps the Nissan 350Z Roadster comes close but costing about $75,000, it is also a more expensive car. The Ford Focus Cabrio, Holden Astra Cabrio, Mini Cooper Cabrio, Peugeot 207CC, Volvo C70 convertible and Volkswagen Eos may match its open-air abilities and add two extra seats but as Takao Kijima says, they may not have that almost intangible `essence’ that is an MX5.

We've said before that the MX5 is a masterpiece of design, packaging and dynamics and this carries over to the new car.  The car's styling was already good but the subtle changes have given the overall look a new leash on life and a more purposeful stance.

It could be argued that the Mazda "smiley face" grille works better on the MX5 than it does on the new Mazda3.  Inside, moving the cupholders, making the armrests more comfortable and the overall quality lift of the cabin are measured and well thought out.

Fortunately little has changed about the cars steering, suspension or dynamics. They remain impressive. On the road, the MX5 will bring a smile to any jaded driver who has tired of revenue-raising speed cameras and inattentive drivers.

Unleash the two-seater in a corner and the chassis balance and grip is quickly apparent.  The ride too is surprisingly comfortable and supple.

However, without driving the previous model back-to-back it is hard to measure the improvements to the free-revving 2.0-litre engine. It feels strong, will happily sing right up to 7500 revs and on manual models, the "sound enhancer" does provided a meaty sound to the engine.

While maximum torque is still produced at 5000 revs, maximum power is up 300 revs to 7000 revs. The 2.0-litre four remains a smooth and enjoyable powerplant. The biggest problem is perhaps deciding between the slick six-speed manual or well-sorted ratios of the automatic with its steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.

We managed to spend time in both the standard Roadster Coupe and Sports model, which adds Recaro sports seats and BBS alloys, which add a more customised look to the car.  The comfort of the Recaros cannot be faulted but any generously proportioned drivers may prefer the standard seats.

The softer looking dark silver panel across the dash is an improvement over the previous piano black too.  Despite work on reducing cabin noise on the Roadster, at highway speeds the noise levels are still disappointing.  But that's a very small niggle.

The MX5 has won more than 180 awards in its 20-year history, including a listing in the Guinness Book of Records as the best selling open two-seater ever.  We can only add that if you have an automotive must-do list, owning an MX5 should be at Number 1.