2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Philadelphia

Check Out Our New Mazda Miata Inventory!

This 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata remains a car to love, delivering a delightful, capable, well-engineered driving experience in a vehicle that starts every time and runs seemingly forever, with near-faultless quality and reliability. Its optional retractable hardtop is ingenious, and extends the MX-5's appeal. The Miata formula has been copied, but measured by all-around capability and grin-per-mile factor, it hasn't been surpassed. The 2011 MX-5 model is a carryover from 2010. What the Mazda MX-5 does offer is a lots of fun from a lightweight, compact sports car with plenty of zip that can fit into the budget of a much wider range of consumers than the top-of-the-line alternatives. Sports cars are all about the feel and the look, and the 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata delivers on both of these qualities in winning fashion.

2011 Mazda Miata Power and Drive

A 2.0-liter four-cylinder powers the Miata with 158 horsepower when teamed with the optional six-speed automatic transmission. When equipped with the five- or six-speed manual, it produces 167 hp. The difference comes from a higher redline with the manual: 7,200 rpm, rather than 6,700 rpm with the automatic. Equipped with an all aluminum, I-4 engine with 140 pounds of torque, the light-weight Mazda MX-5 has excellent acceleration. The curb weight of the 2011 model is expected to be just 2,200 pounds, which is less than the 2010 model. The lower weight helps this popular roadster deliver engine power more efficiently. The automatic transmission does well in stop-and-go traffic. In Activematic manual mode, gears are selected either by tapping the shift lever forward or back, or with steering wheel-mounted paddles. The Activematic function works as it should, too, declining to shift up even with the engine zinging along at its electronically limited redline, or to shift down no matter how hard you stomp the gas pedal. Shifts are smooth, but noticeable, in either mode. In all, the automatic works surprisingly well. The MX-5's wide track and low center of gravity enable it to corner flatter than should be possible. With balance so close to perfect with two people on board, and with the sporty, asymmetrical-tread tires on the Touring and Grand Touring models. Brake feel is solid, thanks to improved brake system rigidity and strengthened brake hoses, making repetitive and smooth stops a breeze.

Design of the new MX-5 Miata

A recent restyling extended the nose lower and made the grille larger and smile-shaped. The headlights became shapelier. The rear bumper became deeper and wider, with a more prominent crease on the side, and the tailpipes were made flush with the bumper. The convertible soft top is Mazda's best yet, and one of the best anywhere. The standard vinyl top, with its heated glass rear window, collapses into a well behind the seats cleanly and completely, requiring no cover boot. The top looks neatly finished when it's down, with no additional effort. It's manually operated, but so light and easy to use you can raise or lower it with one hand while sitting in the driver's seat. No one will ever pine for power assist, though we do appreciate the upgrade from the base vinyl roof to the woven fabric that comes on the Grand Touring model. The Power Retractable Hard Top is a cinch to operate, quick to fold, and a miracle of space efficiency. Stop the car and put it in neutral (or Park for the automatic). Pop a single handle at the top of the windshield, touch a button on the dash, and in 12 seconds the top has contorted itself into the same well the soft-top uses. The hardtop is made of lightweight materials: sheet molding compound on the outside and glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene on the inside. The entire apparatus including electric motors adds less than 80 pounds to an impressively light car.

'11 Mazda Miata Cabin

The 2011 Mazda Miata is small, but the two-seat configuration provides more driver space than you might expect. The 2011 MX-5 interior includes standard power windows with air conditioning and leather wrapped steering wheel on the Sport models. Air conditioning, cruise control, power locks, keyless entry, fog lamps, and steering wheel-mounted audio controls are standard on the Touring models, and optional on the Sport models. Changes to the 2011 interior included a new center console and armrest, and redesigned seats and door-mounted bottle holders. The trunk provides 5.3 cubic feet of space, which is quite good for a convertible. All models have a nice comfortable design and the Standard model includes a CD player. The premium Touring package includes a six-disc CD stereo audio system with MP3 compatibility, and Bluetooth connectivity. The premium package also includes heated leather seats and Xenon headlamps.

Lineup of the 2011 Miata

The MX-5 Sport comes with a vinyl soft top and a five-speed manual transmission. Standard features include air conditioning, power windows, cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, single-CD audio with six speakers, power mirrors, various interior storage pockets and 16-inch aluminum wheels. All MX-5s come with a tire-puncture repair kit, as opposed to a spare. A six-speed automatic is optional. An optional Convenience Package adds cruise control, fog lamps, power locks with window operation from the remote key fob, a trip computer and steering steering-wheel audio controls.

The MX-5 Touring adds a six-speed manual transmission and the contents of the Convenience Package, plus 6CD changer, and 17-inch wheels with summer performance tires.

The MX-5 Grand Touring adds heated leather seats, a nicer fabric soft top, automatic climate control and a Bose audio upgrade with subwoofer and Sirius satellite radio.

The MX-5 PRHT Touring and Grand Touring come with the Power Retractable Hard Top.

Conclusions

The MX-5 Miata has been around for more than 20 years. Much has changed over the decades, including the disappearance of the Miata name from the car's exterior in 2006 as part of a redesign. The Miata name has since returned and what hasn't changed is the formula: small, lightweight and affordable. Safety equipment includes two-stage front-impact airbags, seat-mounted, side-impact airbags designed to protect the chest and head, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and a tire-pressure monitor. The passenger-side front airbag has an on/off switch, and that seat is fitted with LATCH child safety seat anchors. DSC stability control is available only in the Premium Package. For the latest updates on this model, visit the official Mazda MX-5 Miata site.