2017 Mazda MX-5 RF GT

 
 

As a person who loves to finds joy in driving, it was a dream come true when Mazda loaned us the MX-5 RF GT to test drive for a week. This was ranked convertible of the year in Auto123.com. 

Disclosure: Mazda Canada provided me with the 2017 MX-5 RF GT for a week to test drive, and photograph. All photos in this blog post was taken by Don Yip & I.

ACCELERATION: 8/10

  • 155 HP @ 6000 and 148 lb-ft @ 4600
  • Smaller engine but still has decent acceleration
  • 0-60 miles/hr in 6.5 seconds 
  • The horsepower doesn't look that attractive on paper but in combination with the light weight body it makes up for in incredible precision.

BRAKING: 9.5/10

  • Smaller brakes but still brakes well due to the light weight

HANDLING: 9/10

  • Smaller tires but still handles well
  • Very precise handing and controlled body roll in corners
  • Light weight body makes it very agile

RIDE: 9/10

  • does not have a firm suspension which make it good as a daily commuter
  • the light weight car allows it to not need rock hard suspensions but still have good performance

ECONOMY: 9/10

  • 32 MPG with mixed driving

CABIN NOISE: 6.5/10

  • Quite a bit of engine noise but it makes the drive that much more exciting!
  • Not that insolated, there's still quite a bit of wind noise with the hard top closed.

    EXTERIOR: 9.5/10

    • KODO "Soul of Motion" Design Language
    • I find the car is very attractive
    • One button push retractable hard top

    SAFETY|SECURITY|TECH: 8/10

    • Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
    • Dual front and side air bags
    • Side-impact door beams
    • Engine immobilizer theft-deterrent system
    • Driver’s and passenger’s seat-belt pretensioners with force limiters
    • Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
    • Traction Control System (TCS)
    • Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
    • Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring System (ABSM)
    • Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
    • Anti-theft alarm system

    INTERIOR FOR DRIVER: 8/10

    • 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
    • Clutch is very responsive. It was very springy with releasing the clutch in comparison to the Honda Fit which felt like a sponge when releasing the clutch.
    • The feedback with the steering wheel give you accurate feel of what the car is feeling
    • Blind spots are pretty difficult for safe lane changing and reverse parking but the lane detection helps

    INTERIOR FOR PASSENGERS: 6.5/10

    • 2 seater vehicle that's rather cramp. Anyone taller than 6 ft or overweight will have trouble fitting into this vehicle. My friend got into the car and asked how to adjust the seat back and I had told him it was all the way back already. It was kind of comedic because it reminded me of cartoons where a huge character in a tiny car.
    • 4-way manually adjustable passenger’s seat
    • Lots of cheap and hard plastic to keep the weight down 

    INTERIOR STORAGE: 6/10

    • Cargo volume 127 L
    • Tiny trunk storage but this isn't a car for practicality. I am happy that it fit 2 people's worth of camera equipment!

    INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM: 8/10

    • Does not have Android Auto or Apple Car Play but the Mazda Connect system is very easy to use

    OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE 2017 MAZDA MX-5 RF GT:

    Mazda's 17 MX-5 RF GT is not the most practical car, but it is no doubt a car lovers dream to drive. The steering feel is so accurate with communicating to the driver what the car is feeling.  This is a car made for people who love driving and the price is affordable! I would recommend trying the soft top if you love driving. You'll save 100 lbs making the car even more agile! Personally I think the hard top looks cooler but Mazda spent all the R&D to make the vehicle as light as possible, I feel the soft top is the better option for those who just want to have the full experience of having fun on the road.

     
    Mazda, BC, Cars, Reviewseat-with-maoComment