2016 Mazda MX-5 ND 2.0L review
Robert Pepper’s first drive 2016 Mazda MX-5 ND 2.0L review with pricing, specs, ride and handling, safety, verdict and rating.
In a nutshell: tiny size, big fun – the MX-5 is an all-round improvement and has returned to continue its dominance of the small roadster market.
2016 MAZDA MX-5 ND 2.0-LITRE ROADSTER
PRICE from $34,490 (plus ORC); WARRANTY three-year, unlimited kilometres; SAFETY Euro NCAP 4-StAR (ANCAP TO COME) ; ENGINE 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol 118 kW @ 6000 rpm, 200 Nm @ 4800 rpm; TRANSMISSION six-speed manual, optional six-speed auto; BODY 3.92m (L); 1.74m (W); 1.23m (H); WEIGHT 1033 kg (manual roadster); THIRST 6.9-7.1 (M, A) L/100km (95 RON premium unleaded, combined)
More specifications to be found at the end of this review.
Editor's Rating
WE’VE DRIVEN MAZDA’S new MX-5 1.5L, and now it’s time for the 2.0L. You can read Paul Murrell’s review of the 1.5L over here.
1.5L and 2.0L specs compared
 | 1.5L | 2.0L |
Weight (man Roadster GT) | 1009 (M) / 1032 (A) | 1033 (M) / 1057 (A) |
Power | 96kW @ 7000rpm | 118kW @ 6000rpm |
Torque | 150Nm @ 4800rpm | 200Nm @ 4600rpm |
Redline | 75000rpm | 6800rpm |
Power/weight (kg per kw) | 10.5 | 8.8 |
0-100 (sec) | 8.5 (M) / 9.7 (A) | 7.1 (M) / 8.2 (A) |
Top speed (km/h) | 204 (M) / 185 (A) | 214 (M) / 193 (A) |
ADR 81/02 combined fuel | 6.1 (M) / 6.4 (A) | 6.9 (M) / 7.1 (A) |
Fuel type | 95 RON | 95 RON |
The weights are for the top-spec Roadster GT. Mazda tell us the weight for the Roadster version isn’t known, but it would be a little less given the GT’s extras like heated seats and the like.
How does the 2.0L go against the 1.5L? I’ve not had a lot of time in the 1.5 and only driven the 2.0 on a press launch, but some early impressions – the 1.5 is a good, good little thing with 96 of the funnest kilowatts on the market. It would be the pick for suburban speeds. It’s slower, but nicely revvy, feels a touch lighter, all to the good. I’d also take it for motorkhanas. I’d pick the 2.0L for any trackwork or hillclimbs because my guess is that you’d fall asleep right after corner exit in the 1.5 and only be woken by the sound of everything else screaming by, and I can’t see there being the power to play around with the back end or drift. I’d prefer the 2.0L for rural roads as it has a bit more grunt, but the 1.5L would still be a bundle of joy. More on this if we manage to arrange a proper back to back test.
How big isn’t it?
Here we have the sizes and weights of the four generations of MX-5. See notes on weights above.
 | Trans | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Weight |
Gen 4 ND | 1.5L/6 MT | 3915 | 1730 | 1235 | 2315 | 1009 |
Gen 3 NC | 2.0L/5 MT | 4020 | 1720 | 1245 | 2330 | 1110 |
Gen 2 NB | 1.6L/5 MT | 3975 | 1680 | 1225 | 2265 | 1030 |
Gen 1 NA | 1.6L/5 MT | 3955 | 1675 | 1235 | 2265 | 940 |
2016 Mazda MX-5 range and pricing
Prices exclude on-road costs.
Engine | Grade | Transmission | LSD | Pricing | Diff to next |
1.5L | Roadster | Manual | Yes | $31,990 | Â |
 |  | Auto | No | $33,990 | $2,000 |
 | Roadster GT | Manual | Yes | $37,990 | $4,000 |
 |  | Auto | No | $39,990 | $2,000 |
2.0L | Roadster | Manual | Yes | $34,490 | -$5,500 |
 |  | Auto | No | $36,490 | $2,000 |
 | Roadster GT | Manual | Yes | $39,550 | $3,060 |
 |  | Auto | No | $41,550 | $2,000 |
- LED headlamps
- Cruise control
- Bluetooth audio and streaming
- Keyless entry
- Tyre pressure monitor
- Gunmetal colour wheels
- Headlamps auto on/off, LED DRLs
- Rain-sensing wipers, heated mirrors
- Heated seats
- Auto-dim rear-view mirror
- Climate control
- 7″ display (MZD Connect), Internet radio integration
- Bose audio, 9 speakers
- Satnav
- Advanced keyless entry
Other notes
- The 2.0L Roadster GT gets 17″ rims on 205/45/17 tyres. All other grades are 195/50/16. PCD is 4×100.
- Service intervals are every 10,000km
Options
All prices are fitted:
- Reversing camera – $485 (only with vehicles with MZD Connect)
- Black multi-spoke wheels – $1248
- Front parking sensors – $615
- Rear parking sensors – $415, integrated with the screen $1344
- Cargo tray – $135
- Kuroi bodykit –Â black front, side and rear under spoilers, rear lip spoiler and black multi-spoke wheels (pictured below):
This is what you buy just for fun, or trying to be young again , practicality is for Suv’s.
Gee. I own a BRZ (on STi springs and Dunlop SP Sport Maxx RT rubber) and I’ve driven a rag top MX5 and the RF. The BRZ handles and steers better than both of the Mazdas. The amount of body roll on the MX5s is alarming, the way that it rolls onto it’s outside rear is unexpected and alarming when first experienced, but it’s never confidence inspiring and I expect, on bumpy back roads, you’d never be far from the bump stops.The MX5s are TOO soft. WAY to soft. The Abarth 124 (which we also have in the garage with the BRZ) is a car that you feel confident to drive hard from the get go. Sorry, you can stick jittabug-ittai. If I bought an MX5, my first action would be to visit someone to get the suspension fixed.
Hi Richard. Covered that here:
https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-advice/why-the-mx-5s-soft-suspension-doesnt-matter-and-whats-missing-in-the-power-debate/
Yes. I read that…but I’m still not convinced 🙂