Words and Photos by Michael Satterfield - 08/15/2024
The 2024 Mazda MX-5 represents the latest iteration of a model that has become an icon in the automotive world and is still one of my favorite cars to drive. With over three decades of history behind it, the Miata has stayed true to its original formula: lightweight, rear-wheel drive, and a focus on pure driving enjoyment. For 2024, the Miata Club trim brings a blend of performance upgrades and features, making it the enthusiast's choice within the lineup. In this review, we'll dive into what makes the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Club a standout in a world where driving pleasure often takes a back seat to practicality.
The 2024 Mazda Miata continues to embrace the "Kodo" design language that has defined Mazda’s lineup for years. The Miata’s exterior is a masterclass in simplicity and elegance, with flowing lines and perfectly balanced proportions that emphasize its low and wide stance. The Club trim, in particular, adds a touch of sportiness with its subtle aero enhancements, including a front air dam, rear lip spoiler, and side sill extensions. These elements not only enhance the Miata's appearance but also contribute to its aerodynamic efficiency.
The MX-5 Miata Club rides on 17-inch black BBS forged alloy wheels, which complement the car's aggressive yet refined look. These lightweight wheels are not just about aesthetics; they also reduce unsprung weight, which improves handling and ride quality. The Miata’s compact dimensions and tight overhangs give it an agile and athletic presence, while the low-slung silhouette harks back to classic roadsters of the past.
Inside the 2024 MX-5 Miata Club, the focus is squarely on the driver. The cockpit is an intimate space with a layout that places all the controls within easy reach. The seats, upholstered in cloth with red stitching, are supportive and snug, keeping you firmly in place during spirited driving. The Club trim also offers optional Recaro sport seats, adding a layer of lateral support and a touch of racing pedigree to the cabin. It is also fun to watch your friends who are over 6 feet tall fold themselves into the car.
Despite its compact dimensions, the Miata’s interior feels more spacious than expected, thanks to smart design choices and a low dashboard that enhances visibility. The steering wheel is perfectly sized and wrapped in leather, with a flat bottom that adds a sporty touch. The shifter, another highlight, is short and precise, with mechanical and satisfying throws.
While the Miata’s interior is minimalist, it doesn’t skimp on modern conveniences. The Club trim comes equipped with a 9-speaker Bose sound system, including speakers integrated into the headrests, ensuring that your favorite tunes are clear even with the top down. The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, though Mazda’s rotary dial controller remains the primary interface. This setup may take some time, but it minimizes distractions while driving.
Storage space is, unsurprisingly, limited. The Miata offers a small trunk that can accommodate a weekend’s worth of luggage, and there are a few cubbies inside for smaller items. However, the lack of space is a small price to pay for the Miata’s overall package. After all, the Miata isn’t about utility—it’s about the joy of driving, and everything in the interior is geared toward enhancing that experience.
The heart of the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club is its 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G inline-four engine, which produces 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. While these numbers might seem modest in today’s world of high-output turbocharged engines, it’s important to remember that the Miata weighs just over 2,300 pounds. This low weight, combined with a near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution, makes the Miata one of the most engaging cars to drive at any price point.
What sets the Miata Club apart from other trims is its focus on performance. The Club trim comes standard with a limited-slip differential, Bilstein dampers, and a front shock tower brace, all of which contribute to the Miata’s sharp handling and planted feel. The suspension setup strikes an ideal balance between comfort and agility, allowing the Miata to soak up bumps while remaining composed through corners. The steering is direct and communicative, with just the right amount of heft, making the Miata a joy to thread through twisty roads.
The Miata’s naturally aspirated engine is a gem, delivering power in a linear fashion that rewards high-revving enthusiasm. The six-speed manual transmission, a hallmark of the Miata experience, is a delight to use, with short, crisp shifts that engage the driver in a way that few modern cars do. The manual gearbox is so integral to the Miata’s character that it feels almost sacrilegious to opt for the automatic transmission, though Mazda does offer it for those who prefer two-pedal driving.
The Miata Club is not about straight-line speed; instead, it’s about the connection between the driver and the machine. The engine’s modest output means that you can explore the Miata’s limits without risking your license, and the car’s balanced chassis and playful handling encourage you to do just that. Whether carving through canyons or simply enjoying a sunny day on a winding road, the Miata Club delivers a driving experience that is pure and unfiltered.
While the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club is focused on driving enjoyment, it doesn’t skimp on technology. The 7-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system, though not the largest or most advanced, offers all the essential features, including navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice command. The interface is straightforward, with a rotary controller on the center console that minimizes distractions while driving. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your smartphone for music, navigation, and messaging.
One of the standout features of the Miata Club is the Bose premium audio system, which includes nine speakers strategically placed throughout the cabin. The inclusion of speakers in the headrests is particularly noteworthy, as it ensures that audio remains clear even with the top down. This is a thoughtful touch that enhances the open-air driving experience, allowing you to enjoy your favorite soundtrack as you carve through your favorite roads.
Mazda has also equipped the Miata Club with a suite of safety features collectively known as i-Activsense. This includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and a rearview camera. These features add an extra layer of confidence, especially when driving in traffic or parking in tight spaces. However, the Miata’s compact size and excellent visibility mean that you’ll rarely need to rely on these aids.
While the Miata’s tech offerings are sufficient, it’s clear that Mazda has prioritized driving over digital distractions. The Miata’s interior may not have the latest gadgets or the most cutting-edge interface, but it doesn’t need them. This is a car designed for people who value the analog experience, where the connection between driver and road takes precedence over everything else.
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Given its lightweight construction and naturally aspirated engine, it’s no surprise that the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club delivers impressive fuel economy. The EPA rates the Miata at 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, making it one of the most efficient sports cars on the market. These numbers are even more impressive when you consider the performance on offer. The Miata’s efficiency is a testament to Mazda’s Skyactiv technology, which optimizes every aspect of the engine, transmission, and chassis for maximum performance with minimal waste.
In real-world driving, the Miata easily achieves these figures, and it’s not uncommon to exceed them on longer highway trips. The combination of a small engine, lightweight body, and low drag coefficient all contribute to the Miata’s efficiency, allowing you to enjoy spirited driving without worrying about frequent stops at the pump.
For those who are environmentally conscious, the Miata’s small footprint and low emissions make it a responsible choice among sports cars. While it may not be a hybrid or electric vehicle, the Miata’s efficient use of resources aligns with Mazda’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact. In a world where performance and efficiency often seem at odds, the Miata proves that you can have both.
Driving the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club is an experience that defies comparison. From the moment you slip behind the wheel, it’s clear that this car was built with one purpose in mind: to put a smile on your face. The driving position is low and purposeful, with the pedals, shifter, and steering wheel all perfectly aligned to create a sense of harmony between driver and machine.
On the road, the Miata is a revelation. The engine may not be the most powerful, but it’s responsive and eager, with a character that encourages you to rev it out and savor every shift. The manual transmission is a joy to use, with precise throws and a satisfying mechanical feel that’s increasingly rare in today’s cars. The Miata’s lightweight construction means that it changes direction with the slightest input, and the car feels alive beneath you, communicating every nuance of the road through the steering wheel and shifter. This is a car that thrives on winding roads, where its agility and responsiveness can be fully appreciated. Each corner becomes a chance to engage with the car, as the Miata rewards smooth inputs and well-timed shifts. The feedback through the steering wheel is immediate and organic, allowing you to feel the road's texture and camber changes as if you were connected directly to the tarmac. There’s no need for excessive horsepower when the entire driving experience is this connected and visceral.
On a spirited drive, the 2024 MX-5 Miata Club is in its element, with the chassis responding beautifully to weight transfer, throttle adjustments, and steering input. The car’s limited-slip differential ensures that power is distributed efficiently to the rear wheels, allowing for controlled, predictable slides when provoked, but always with an air of precision rather than recklessness. The Bilstein dampers, standard on the Club trim, help the car remain flat through corners, while also offering enough compliance for a comfortable ride during everyday driving.
However, the Miata is more than just a weekend toy; it’s a surprisingly competent daily driver as well. Despite its compact size and low stance, the Miata is easy to live with in urban environments. Its small footprint makes parking a breeze, and the quick steering ratio allows for effortless maneuvering in tight spaces. The suspension, while sport-tuned, is not punishing, making the Miata a comfortable companion on longer drives. Road and wind noise are well-managed, even with the soft top, allowing for a relatively quiet cabin at highway speeds.
One of the defining features of the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club is its manual soft-top, a key element that contributes to the car’s lightweight philosophy. With just a simple flick of a latch, the top can be lowered in seconds, transforming the Miata from a snug coupe into an open-air roadster. There’s something inherently joyful about driving with the top down, the wind in your hair, and the sound of the engine filling the air. The Miata’s open-air experience is as pure as it gets—there’s no need for complex power-folding mechanisms or insulated hardtops. Instead, the Miata delivers a raw, unfiltered connection to the elements, whether you’re cruising along the coast or chasing the sun through a winding mountain pass.
Even with the top down, the Miata’s cabin remains a comfortable place to spend time, thanks in part to the wind-blocker behind the seats, which minimizes turbulence. The heated seats in the Club trim add a layer of comfort on cooler days, extending the top-down season well into the fall. And when the weather isn’t cooperating, the top can be raised just as quickly, sealing you off from the elements without interrupting the flow of your drive.
The Club trim, with its performance-oriented features and tasteful upgrades, represents the sweet spot in the Miata lineup. It’s the model that best captures the essence of what makes the Miata special—lightweight, agile, and utterly engaging. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of sports cars, the Miata Club is a reminder that driving should be fun and that joy is not measured in horsepower but in the connection between driver and machine.
In the end, the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club is more than just a car; it’s a celebration of driving. It’s a modern classic that pays homage to the roadsters of the past while carving out its own place in automotive history. For those who understand that driving is about more than just getting from point A to point B, the Miata is a faithful companion, ready to deliver endless smiles with every mile.
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