Mazda PH brings in upgraded MX-5 with Php 2.230M starting price

Mazda Philippines, under Bermaz Auto Philippines, Inc. (BAP), continues to update its lineup. Just over a month after updating its popular CX-5 crossover, the company is now bringing in the upgraded version of its iconic MX-5 roadster.

For this year, the iconic nameplate gets a host of updates, mostly in the tech and safety departments, in addition to a few physical changes to keep it in the times. The current fourth generation, known as the ND, was first introduced in 2015, making it nearly a decade old.

For starters, there are seven variants available for 2024. Five of them are in the soft-top convertible bodystyle with a manually-retractable roof, and two are in the Retractable Fastback (RF) bodystyle with its power-retractable roof.

A special, limited-edition MX-5 Miata Cup 23rd Anniversary Edition is also available. Exclusively available with just 23 units, this special variant was developed by Mazda Japan specifically for the Philippine market in honor of the 23rd Anniversary of the Miata Cup, and comes with a bespoke racing livery designed by local artist Jaykee Evangelista, and is inspired by classic motorsports liveries.

Going into the changes, for its exterior, the 2024 Mazda MX-5 now gets full LED exterior lighting with a new lighting signature for the headlights and taillights for a more modern appearance. There are also new 17-inch alloy wheels with the options of a Diamond Cut or Black Metallic finish.

Seven exterior colors are available. New for 2024 is Aero Gray, while other available color options are Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Snowflake White Pearl, Deep Crystal Blue, Zircon Sand, and Jet Black.

The interior gets most of the tech upgrades. While it still has the same overall design, new here is a wider 8.8-inch MazdaConnect touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as dual USB-C ports. Also standard are a 9-speaker Bose premium audio system, 4.6-inch multi-information display, automatic climate control, while Nappa leather seats are available.

As before, still powering the Mazda MX-5 is a 2.0-liter SkyActiv-G naturally-aspirated inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 184 horsepower and 205 Nm of torque, mated to either a close-ratio SkyActiv Drive 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission. 

While the engine remains the same, Mazda has done a handful of changes in terms of performance. There is a revised electric power steering system that has been retuned for more nimble and precise driving. Variants with manual transmissions have also been equipped with Dynamic Stability Control with Track Mode (DSC-Track) and Asymmetric Limited Slip Differential (A-LSD).

These are in addition to Kinematic Posture Control which mimics the behavior of more complex and heavier adaptive dampers. With that feature, the vehicle applies a light braking force to the inner rear wheel as the it is turned into a corner to pull the vehicle’s body down and suppress body roll. There is also a recalibrated accelerator pedal that is easier to modulate thanks to the elimination of delays. Cruise control is now also standard on all variants.

Unlike many sports cars, the 2024 Mazda MX-5 is a very safe place to be with the brand’s i-Activsense suite of advanced driver-assist systems. This is still composed of Adaptive LED headlights (ALH), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), rear parking sensors, and a reverse camera. That’s not all though as six new functions have been added which are Smart Front and Rear Brake Support-Front, Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Driver Attention Alert (DAA).

Pricing for the 2024 Mazda MX-5 is as follows:

• 2.0 M/T Miata Cup 23rd Anniversary Edition – Php 2,230,000
• 2.0 M/T Black Top Black Leather – Php 2,300,000
• 2.0 A/T Black Top Black Leather – Php2,350,000
• 2.0 M/T Tan Top Tan Nappa Leather – Php 2,400,000
• 2.0 A/T Tan Top Tan Nappa Leather – Php 2,450,000
• 2.0 A/T RF Black Leather – Php 2,550,000
• 2.0 A/T  RF Tan Nappa Leather – Php 2,600,000