2024 Mazda MX-5 updated for PH with more tech and handling upgrades

Mazda Philippines, under the distributorship of Bermaz Auto Philippines Inc., has launched the updated MX-5 Miata for the model year 2024. It gets plenty of improvements, particularly more on-board safety tech.

2024 Mazda MX-5 RF

The company also switched up some mechanical elements within the two-door roadster’s variant lineup. Plus, it also introduced a new special edition trim that’s limited to just 23 units for the Philippine market.

So, what can buyers expect from the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

Exterior

On the outside, the 2024 MX-5 retains the same iconic body shape and design details. Also kept are the MX-5’s two distinct dropdown roof styles: the soft top and the retractable fastback (RF).  Its front end does get new full LED headlamps with integrated LED daytime lamps which feature a new eye-catching lighting signature.

2024 Mazda MX-5 Soft Top

Over to the side, the updated Mazda roadster gets a set of new 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels. These are finished in either diamond cut or black metallic. Likewise revised to be more impactful in style is the car’s LED taillights.

The MX-5’s roster of exterior features includes rain-sensing wipers, headlamp auto-leveling and auto on/off, dual exhaust tips, and power-folding side mirrors.

The MX-5 RF folding down in its top

Available color options for the updated MX-5 include Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Deep Crystal Blue, Snowflake White Pearl, Zircon Sand, and Jet Black. Added to the model’s roster of color exterior color options is the new Aero Gray. These may be combined with the new tan soft top or the black soft top.

Interior

Step inside the 2024 Mazda MX-5 and one will see that it has been enhanced with new digital screens. Moreover, its soft-touch interior surfaces and its seats may now come in Tan Nappa Leather and Black Leather.

A peek inside the 2024 MX-5 with the tan interior

As with the prior version, the updated roadster still gets a leather-wrapped tilt and telescopic steering wheel, power-adjustable seating, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a push-to-start button, an automatic single-zone climate control system, and a leather-wrapped shift knob, among others.

Tech & Safety

The bulk of the new bits on the 2024 MX-5 are mainly safety technologies. For this, Mazda further refined its i-Activsense advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) to include a smart brake support system which can now automatically mitigate front and rear collisions.

View of the 2024 MX-5 interior from the top

Other ADAS features on the updated MX-5 include blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, cross-brake support, driver attention alert, adaptive LED headlamps, and lane departure warning.

Supporting the MX-5’s lineup of advanced safety features are dual front airbags, side airbags, dynamic stability control, rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, and a seatbelt warning lamp.

Closer look at the updated MX-5's new infotainment system display

Handling onboard entertainment on the updated MX-5 is a new 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This digital display features thinner bezels for better packaging and enhanced forward visibility for the driver.

The said screen gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and it is linked to a nine-piece Bose speaker system.

Engine

Under the hood of the 2024 MX-5 is the same 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline engine. At the most, it can churn out 181 horsepower and 205 Nm of torque.

The 2024 MX-5's 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G inline-4 gasoline engine

The soft top versions of the MX-5 may still come with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic gearbox. For 2024 however, Mazda dropped the manual transmission for the RF variant.

To improve its handling, Mazda updated the MX-5’s power steering system. The brand also added the new Dynamic Stability Control with Track Mode (DSC-Track) which can automatically intervene when the car senses loss of traction.

There’s also the new Asymmetric Limited-Slip Differential (A-LSD). According to Mazda, their engineers provided a new cam to the MX-5’s LSD to actively adjust inputs when slowing down when entering a corner and accelerating out of a corner.

MX-5's Kinematic Posture Control

Last but not least is Kinematic Posture Control (KPC). This likewise optimizes how the MX-5 behaves when cornering by automatically applying the brakes on the vehicle’s inner tires (the ones nearest to the curb). In doing so, the KPC can eliminate body roll.

Price

The “standard” 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata starts at Php 2,300,000 for the Black Top Black Leather MT. The Black Top Black Leather AT meanwhile, retails at Php 2,350,000. The Tan Top Tan Nappa Leather variants meanwhile, are priced a bit higher at Php 2,400,000 for the MT, and Php 2,450,000 for the AT.

MX-5 Soft Top from the rear

For the RF trims, the Black Leather variant is available for Php 2,550,000. The Tan Nappa Leather AT then takes the top-end spot of the MX-5 variant lineup at Php 2,600,000.

Of note, Mazda Cars PH also introduced the Miata Cup 23rd Anniversary Edition MT trim for the local market. This variant features a special livery and is limited to just 23 units. Price-wise, this very limited edition of the MX-5 is the most affordable variant at Php 2,230,000 as it is a track-oriented model with no electronic driving aids.

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