2021 Mazda MX-5 Upgrades, Pricing Announced
The Mazda MX-5 is the automotive embodiment of ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.’ Despite having gone through several generations since its debut in 1989, the Miata has remained remarkably consistent. But the industry believes there’s a subset of motorists who absolutely cannot live without vehicular connectivity and active safety technologies, even on a petite roadster that’s supposed to be focused on entirely on driver engagement.
This is why Mazda sells the luxury-oriented Grand Touring trim and has decided to continue sprucing it up for the 2021 model year. Though we cannot say this makes it the best option for everyone.
That just leaves the Grand Touring, which offers leather upholstery, automatic climate control, integrated navigation, numerous standard safety inclusions, and heated side mirrors. It also gets those factory performance upgrades that come on the Club, minus the aforementioned Brembo-BBS-Recaro package. But if you’re more interested in racking up hundreds of miles of casual cruising than weekend track days, you probably won’t mind making the sacrifice.
For 2021, Mazda decided to give the MX-5 Grand Touring wireless Apple CarPlay and some new paint options. Crystal Blue replaces Eternal Blue on the exterior and white Nappa leather upholstery will be supplanting white-and-tan colored fabric. Pricing for the trim is also going up $100, resulting in an MSRP of $32,715 (with destination). While substantially more than the Sport trim, which has also had its price increased to $27,775, Grand Tourers come with adaptive headlights, traffic-sign recognition, automatic rain-sensing wipers, and other things the Sport has to do without.
Fortunately, the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Club is holding strong at $31,235 and remains the best option for anyone who doesn’t need the plusher interior or driver assistance features.
Regardless of trim, all of the fun-loving Miata models should begin arriving at dealerships later this month — equipped with the same naturally aspirated 2.0-liter pushing 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. While not a screamer, it pairs exceptionally well with the company’s standard, short throwing six-speed manual. Those interested in an automatic with paddle shifting can expect to drop a $1,000, however.
[Images: Mazda]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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If only I had a 3rd garage bay (sigh)...
There's potentially an RF to replace the 2007 PRHT currently in my parking spot. I'll need to see the new blue in person, the old blue was probably my top choice. But the white interior is not happening, the wife's Lexus has "parchment" and does not coexist happily with folks who wear black pants frequently. Even that orangey-browny on the current Miata is a b!tch to keep clean, but it was the only choice that year if you wanted a black exterior.