Mazda's MX-5 Available With Cherry On Top For 2018

Mazda is offering driving enthusiasts a late Christmas gift by touching up the Miata for 2018 with a bevy of welcome options and a handful of all-inclusive improvements.

Even though nobody complained about the fourth-generation MX-5’s on-road behavior, the manufacturer still tweaked its rear suspension and steering for 2018. It also says it made efforts to reduce undesirable cabin noise. However, the most noticeable alteration for the next model year is the addition of an optional red soft top for the North American market.

For the more-aggressive MX-5 Club, Mazda maintains the optional Brembo brake and BBS wheel package. But shoppers can now add heated Recaro seats if they wish. Available only with a six-speed manual, the brake and wheel package tacks $3,770 onto the Club’s $29,155 MSRP — or $4,470, if you want the sport seats included.

Downshifting to the base model, Mazda is giving the Sport trim a 7-inch infotainment system and advanced keyless entry as standard equipment for 2018. The model now sells for $25,295. While that represents an increase of nearly $400 over last year’s car, the media center wasn’t even available on the base Miata in 2017. In terms of the bigger picture, we’re considering it a good deal overall.

Color changes are subtle and welcome. The $30,195 Grand Touring trim is now available with an auburn leather interior, which ought to look great with black paint, for an extra $300. However, is black isn’t your bag, Mazda is now offering the MX-5 in Snowflake White Pearl Mica ($200), Soul Red Crystal ($595), and Machine Gray Metallic ($300), which was previously exclusive to the RF hardtop.

Pricing and packaging information for the 2018 Mazda MX-5 RF will be announced later, but we’re expecting to see similar options and fees. Soft-top models will start showing up at dealerships in January with both black and cherry-red canvases.

[Image: Mazda]