2024 Mazda Miata Gets Tweaks and a Price Bump
For 2024, Mazda has refined the MX-5 Miata slightly. Here's what you can expect.
The reliable 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster enters its ninth year of production of the current ND generation with some mechanical and design upgrades, with the latest car registering as the "ND3" generation. All models are still powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed manual transmission on Sport and Club trims, and a six-speed auto as an option on Grand Touring trims. However, the steering and a few other bits have been upgraded for the new model year, so let's see what sort of performance changes we can expect.
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Trying to eyeball the exact design tweaks for the new 2024 model year Miata is tricky, as the updates are limited to the headlight units with new LED DRL elements, new LED taillights, and new multi-spoke wheel designs (that are pretty reminiscent of past styles). Available exterior paint colors this year include Snowflake White Pearl, Zircon Sand Metallic, and a new shade of Aero Gray, each for a $450 charge, or available Machine Grey Metallic or Soul Red Crystal Metallic for $595.
Mechanical upgrades to the electric power-assisted steering system include a rack with revised internals for reduced friction, as well as a new electric assist software calibration for "more defined on-center feeling" and "greater precision as the front tires are loaded up" in cornering. The Miata also continues to employ a simple limited-slip system that brakes the inner-rear wheel under high-g cornering, helping to suppress unwanted body roll.
Club and Grand Touring trims now get a new asymmetric conical clutch limited-slip differential, offering stronger lockup under engine braking for improved stability entering corners to resist oversteer and reduced lockup during acceleration to limit understeer. On Club models specifically, a new "DSC-Track" mode raises the threshold of the car's standard dynamic stability control system, while still offering some amount of brake intervention at the very limit.
There's an available $4,800 Brembo BBS Recaro package on Club models, which is standard in the price of the Club RF. It includes an exterior gloss black aero kit, Brembo brakes up front with red-painted front and rear calipers, gunmetal grey 17-inch BBS forged wheels, and heated Recaro sport seats.
Inside for 2024, the ND3 Miata gets extra center console padding, a larger 8.8-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto touch functionality, as well as a new Amazon Alexa voice-activated assistant for hands-free command of the HVAC, radio, and compatible and connected remote smart home devices. Drivers get a revised gauge cluster said to be simpler, with new high-contrast graphics for better readability.
All of these changes come at a relatively minor price bump across the board for each 2024 Miata trim, but both soft-top and foldable hard-roof RF models are still available. After accounting for destination fees, the base Miata now crests just more than $30,000 to start, and climbs all the way up to $41,375 (before options) on the most-equipped RF Club trim (with the Brembo BBS Recaro package included, mind). Mazda mentioned winter 2024 availability for the updated model year.
Justin Westbrook eventually began writing about new cars in college after starting an obsessive action movie blog. That developed into a career covering news, reviews, motorsports, and a further obsession with car culture and the next-gen technology and design styles that are underway, transforming the automotive industry as we know it.
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