Is the Japanese roadster worth German hot-hatch money?
If we look back at the success stories of the motoring world, particularly in the sports car segment, its not long before the name ‘MX-5’ comes to mind. Since the production of the first Mazda MX-5 30 years ago, over a million units have been sold. The MX-5 is now in its fourth generation, and we took it for a drive to see if it was worth its price tag.
The design of the newest model, the Mazda MX-5 RF, stays true to its predecessors. The shape is immediately recognisable, yet there are subtle touches all around the car that guide its design into the 21st century. The head and tail lights are slim, hinting at the sporty genetics that underpin the roadster. The ‘RF’ in the name stands for ‘Retractable Fastback’, referring to the newly shaped roof which replaces the classic surfboard convertible look with a more sloped Targa-like roof. A set of dark grey alloy wheels and a twin-exhaust on the right side pull the exterior together, adding sporty touches without being too loud about it.
The interior of the Mazda MX-5 RF feels really premium. There are only two seats and they’re covered in fine leather, along with the dashboard and the doors, which also feature a funky gloss white insert. The analogue instrument cluster is clean and easy to read which is refreshing in this age of digital dashes. There’s also a central touch display to accommodate the infotainment system, controlled by a central dial just below the gear shifter. The contrasting red stitching around the interior reiterates the MX-5’s dedication to being a sporty roadster.
A 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol motor is found at the heart of the MX-5. It produces 118kW of power and 200Nm of torque, fed straight to the rear wheels via a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The engine feels very comfortable at high-revs, rewarding the driver with a throaty exhaust tone. The result is a 0-100km/h time of 8.6-seconds, and while this may not look blisteringly quick on paper, when you have the roof down it feels like you're going four times as fast. The steering of the RF has a really nice weight to it. It's light enough to manoeuvre city traffic and heavy enough to keep you entertained through the bends. If you pair the lightweight body of the MX-5 with its all-star handling, you start to see why it became a cult-car in the first place.
There were a few things that bothered me about the MX-5, like how cramped it feels inside. There is a rather inconveniently placed cupholder that protrudes from the centre console, stealing a lot of space from the passenger. The drivers seat is a bit more spacious, aside from the fact that the steering can only be adjusted up or down, and not in and out which may be a problem for taller drivers. Aside from those annoyances its a decent space to be in. I like how well-built the interior feels.
This brings us to the burning question: Is the Mazda MX-5 RF worth its price tag of R538 200? Well, not exactly. Its not difficult to pick up a German hot-hatch for a few thousand rands more. It’ll have more power, more bells and whistles and is probably more practical. The MX-5 is a car you buy because its an MX-5. It’s not practical, it’s not the most comfortable and its not the most powerful, but it is a lot of fun and is probably the most fun you’ll have below the national speed limit.
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FAQ
Q: What does the 2019 Mazda MX-5 RF cost in South Africa?
The 2019 Mazda MX-5 RF retailed for around R580,000 to R620,000 when new, putting it squarely in German hot hatch territory and making it a premium purchase for weekend thrills.
Q: Is the Mazda MX-5 RF worth buying over a hot hatch?
If you want pure driving joy and don't need practicality, the MX-5 RF delivers an experience no hot hatch can match, with rear-wheel drive dynamics, open-air motoring, and that brilliant naturally aspirated engine note.
Q: How reliable is the 2019 Mazda MX-5 RF?
The MX-5 RF is built on 30 years of proven roadster engineering, with Mazda's naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine being one of the most reliable units on the market, requiring only standard servicing every 10,000km.
Q: What are the main problems with the Mazda MX-5 RF?
The biggest issues are practicality related rather than mechanical, with minimal boot space, only two seats, and the retractable roof mechanism occasionally needing recalibration at the dealer after a few years.
Q: Should I buy a manual or automatic MX-5 RF?
The 6-speed manual is the purist's choice for maximum driving engagement, but the 6-speed automatic is surprisingly good and makes the MX-5 RF more relaxing for daily driving without killing the fun factor.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, if you can afford the R580,000 to R620,000 price tag and want a weekend toy that delivers pure driving pleasure. The 2019 Mazda MX-5 RF is the best affordable roadster under R700,000 in South Africa, offering rear-wheel drive thrills, premium build quality, and that addictive naturally aspirated soundtrack that modern turbo engines simply can't match. However, if you need practicality or this is your only car, spend your money on a Golf GTI instead. The MX-5 RF is brilliant at what it does, but what it does is very specific: making every drive feel like a celebration of motoring.
