Overall rating:

The MX-5's place in motoring history is already secured and whilst this latest addition may go against some of the original model's values it's a worthy and worthwhile addition to the range. Thanks to the folding hardtop the Mazda MX-5 experience is opened up to a whole new sector of the market that may have dismissed the roadster. Yes, there are a few compromises, but none of them undermine the MX-5's appeal.

Key Facts

Model tested: Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupé 2.0i SE
Pricing: £20,785 on-the-road
Engine: 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder
Transmission: five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Body style: two-door coupé-cabriolet
Rivals: Audi TT, Renault Wind, Peugeot 207 CC
CO₂ emissions: 177g/km
Combined economy: 37.2mpg
Top speed: 135mph
0-62mph: 7.9 seconds
Power: 158bhp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 138lb.ft at 5,000rpm

Inside & Out:

Mazda's designers have done very well here. Many cars with folding hard tops have ugly, bulbous rear ends with ill resolved aesthetics as a result of need to stow their roof. The Mazda MX-5 manages to shirk the trend and suffers not one jot for the addition of its roof. It actually looks very good as a coupé, the body coloured roof subtly improving its appearance relative to the convertible's mohair equivalent.

Inside the Roadster Coupé it's less about the difference in the appearance, more about the change in how it feels to be in. The cabin is much more snug with the hardtop relative to the convertible and there is an appreciable benefit to being more cocooned and insulated from the outside world; less wind noise and more warmth are huge benefits in the prevailing wintry conditions and if motorway miles are on the agenda then it's almost a must. The fact that there's no discernible penalty other than a small loss of luggage space means it's very hard to fault.

Ride & Handling:

Conditions during our week with the car were not the best for putting the MX-5 through its paces but for the short periods it was possible, the fundamental poise and balance was clear to feel. The Mazda MX-5 may have put on a little weight over the years, and as a consequence become less sharp and raw, if more refined, but it is still a treat to drive, its simplistic fun never becomes tiresome. You'd need to drive Roadster and Roadster Coupé back-to-back to detect any difference in handling resulting from the weight of the roof mechanism and perhaps the only thing that would further enhance the package is an extra slug of power.

Engine & Transmission:

Mazda offers a choice of two engine sin the MX-5: the 2.0-litre four-pot in our test car is the most potent option, producing 158bhp. You need to work it hard to access that power though and below 3,500rpm (after which there is a noticeable step in delivery), it's a little numb. Luckily it's eager to please and revs around to the upper reaches of the tacho with relative ease.

Thanks to the nigh-on perfect gearbox (five-speed in this case - a six-speeder is an option), it's not a chore to keep it there, either, and the Mazda MX-5 remains a real treat to punt in anger. Mazda has obviously gone to some lengths to get the soundtrack right, as there's exaggerated induction and exhaust noise that adds to proceedings. Unfortunately, there's a boomy noise at certain engine speeds that mars cruising, though you can drive around it.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

Weighing in at around £20k the MX-5 Roadster Coupé is about £2,000 more than the equivalent roadster but bear in mind that a temporary hard top for the other model costs over half of the difference and the Roadster Coupé begins to look sound value next to the soft-top. With regard to pricing against the competition, the Mazda MX-5 remains peerless as no-one else has made a compact rear-wheel drive car to challenge its dominance. However, Renault and Peugeot both offer small hatch derived convertibles with folding hardtops at similar price - though neither are driver's cars.