Best in a class of one.
At this point, the Miata deserves some veneration for enduring as the
only inexpensive roadster still on the market. But we don't hand out
awards for longevity. The Miata remains on this list for the eighth
straight year because it shows how engineering rightness transcends
performance figures. The 167-hp four is merely adequate and the handling
limits are unimpressive by sports-car standards. What keeps the Miata
triumphant is not raw performance but a balanced chassis that
communicates every nuance
to the driver through perfectly calibrated controls. And at a $24,515
starting price, the Miata keeps all that fun affordable.
specifications
vehicle type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door roadster
base price: $24,515–$29,260
engine: DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 158–167 hp, 140 lb-ft
transmissions: 5- or 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
wheelbase: 91.7 in
length: 157.3 in
width: 67.7 in height: 49.0–49.4 in
curb weight: 2500–2650 lb
epa city/hwy fuel economy: 21–22/28 mpg
