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Destination > trip

It is said that the journey is more important than the destination. Often true, but not in our case. The destination is Schliersee, a small village in the vicinity of Munich. There we will drive “as fast as we can”, and then enjoy the MX-5 there in the surroundings.

We will do the trip in two stages: Utrecht – Karlsruhe and Karlsruhe – Schliersee. And yes, the overnight stay halfway through is a bit for fear of a broken back, but mostly because the traffic flow in Germany is dramatic due to the many road works. Just like that, you’ll be on the road a few hours more than previously planned.

Wrapping up? Not without a plan

Taking luggage with you in the MX-5 is of course a bit of a hassle, but with a good plan and a bit of spatial awareness you’ll come a long way. Fortunately, with the roof closed, the roadster has as much luggage space as it does open, which makes fitting and measuring a lot easier. We got a large and a smaller sports bag, a backpack and two plastic shopping bags crammed into the trunk. If you want to carry more, you can always check the luggage rack on the option list.

Behind the seats, you can also find a (surprisingly large) storage compartment for some things you like to have within reach, like your sunglasses, a cap, passports, charging cables, whatever. So plenty of room in the interior for some smaller stuff. The two cup holders are also top notch for the long trip.

Ready to go!

Just a little more sticking the environmental sticker on the window and then we’re ready to go. In relatively cold conditions we drive away from the Netherlands. Relatively, because you can sense from that distinctive morning temperature that it’s going to be a warm day eventually. So, excellent conditions to leave with the roof open. However, the seat heater does go on the highest setting for a while and the climate control a few ticks warmer than outside. 

It doesn’t take long for the sun to come through. The seat heater can be lowered and slowly the air conditioning can be made a little bit colder and colder. The sun is beginning to warm our heads. Maybe we should put on some sunscreen… We pause for a cup of coffee and eat the currant buns we brought from home with cheese that has become sweaty by now. Nice Dutch.

Weapon of choice

The break it’s a great time to take a look our mode of transportation for the next few days: a 2022 Mazda MX-5. The little convertible steals the show in almost every parking lot we stop in. The fancy execution certainly has a big part in that. It is a combination of the new color ‘Platinum Quartz’ with the ‘Bright Dark’ 16-inch rims and the terracotta-colored leather seats. In terms of design, you can see that the MX-5 is a product with Mazda’s Kodo design language, which is characterized by minimalism and simple lines. The sleek headlights and simple rear end make a throbbing car from all angles.

Beating heart of the Mazda MX-5

Under the hood is an atmospheric SKYACTIV-G 132 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 132 horsepower. That doesn’t seem like much, but the MX-5 weighs only 1,000 kg. In addition to low weight, the recipe for a classic driver’s car is completed by rear-wheel drive, low center of gravity and a six-speed manual transmission. In the Netherlands the car offers more than enough power, but is it enough for Germany? We’re going to test that!

The German Autobahn

With a rubbed forehead, empty bladder and filled stomach we get back into the two-seater. Armed with sunglasses and earplugs*, we continued on our way towards the German border. After passing the German border sign, the gas goes on. The MX-5 is up for it, but first downshift two gears to really pick up the pace.

Although the MX-5 is obviously not built to comfortably eat up miles at high speed, the little roadster holds its own among all the Autobahn violence. Sure, the MX-5 needs some space to reach the top speed of 200 km/h and also to get up a steep slope at speed requires some momentum, but with good anticipation it works fine. You’re fairly shifting gears on the Autobahn, though.

*Often convertible drivers underestimate the importance of hearing protection. Wind noise is not only a nuisance, but also harmful. It can even lead to tinnitus. Earplugs filter out that wind noise, while other sounds remain audible.

Hood closed

On our route, we drive almost from Baustelle to Baustelle. Germany has a lot of road works at the moment, which sucks to keep pace. Besides, it is no fun to stand still in the burning sun with the roof open. Fortunately, the hood can be closed in a simple operation. We didn’t measure it, but closing really doesn’t take more than 3 seconds: you pull the lever, hood comes off and the windows lower, you pull the hood forward above you and snap it on just above the interior mirror. And all of this can be done with one hand. Opening the hood goes the same way only in reverse. By the way, a closed hood does pretty little to keep driving and wind noise out of the interior. Is something to consider though.

Inside the Mazda MX-5

I like the interior of the MX-5. A nice sitting position is quickly found because you can adjust the handlebars in both depth and height. The MX-5 is not a car for tall drivers. You soon find yourself looking at the top of the windshield, the seats can quickly be too narrow and short, and with the roof closed there is really very little headroom left.

If you do fit in, everything you need as a driver is at your fingertips. Operating the climate control is with physical buttons and switches. The same goes for the handbrake, which you still have to put on the old-fashioned way. On the dashboard we find a centrally placed 7-inch display. We used it with Apple Carplay, but Android Auto is also possible or Mazda’s own operating system. You operate the system by means of the iDrive-like button on the center console, which works excellently. The headrests of the seats are equipped with Bose speakers, so you don’t have to turn the music up awfully loud.

Driving the Mazda MX-5

We have now been at our vacation address for several days. Enough lounging on the waterfront, time to take the MX-5 out to explore the area. We mapped out a route of about four hours in Google Maps and loaded it via CarPlay onto the screen in the MX-5. Ideal.

We are not long on the road before we encounter the first beautiful steerable roads. We put the seat in a more active position and with the traction control turned off we attacked the first hairpin turns. The MX-5 steers lightly but directly and is willing to be pushed into the corner. Even without going hard, everything feels nice and sporty. There is plenty playing to keep you amused: the position of the pedals is perfect for the necessary heel-toe work, and the gearbox provides delightful mechanical feedback with effective short strokes. The mischievous roar from the exhausts completes the party.

The MX-5 is a joy to drive. Especially on these roads and that with “only” 132 hp. Playing with this kind of power on twisty mountain roads is actually more fun than playing with overpriced exotics that have triple or more horsepower. It is definitely less wild, but by contrast more accessible and forgivable. You don’t have to be constantly “on.

The suspension is a fine compromise between sportiness and comfort. However, if you are looking for the limits, we are convinced that an aftermarket coilover will do wonders for the road holding of the little Japanese.

Mazda MX-5 prices (2022)

The MX-5 is by no means cheap. Prices for the Mazda MX-5 1.5 SkyActiv-G 132 start at 38,490 euros. There are two trim levels you can tick: the Luxury for 41,890 euros and the Signature for 44,390 euros. The more powerful SKYACTIV-G 184 starts at 43,490 euros. It is also available as Luxury and Signature versions. The Sportive version, which is only available on the 184 hp version, is listed in the brochure for 49,890 euros. Competitors the MX-5 doesn’t really know anymore or they are considerably more expensive, like the Audi TT Roadster or the 2-series convertible. Somewhat affordable two-seat convertibles have almost completely disappeared from automakers’ offerings. Too bad!

Our test car was equipped with the 1.5-liter engine in Luxury trim. The terracotta-colored chairs are standard for this, but you can also choose black chairs. CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard. In addition, our MX-5 has Keyless Entry and Go, Lane Departure Warning System and warns of traffic in your blind spot.

Conclusion

The time has come to turn in the MX-5, unfortunately. We have enjoyed the roadster immensely these past few days. Once again, this generation MX-5 (ND) shows that you don’t need hundreds of horsepower for driving pleasure. Its accessibility and reachability make it a true friend of everyone. The MX-5 offers mountains of driving pleasure (and in our case, driving pleasure in the mountains), even with the least powerful engine in the front. In our opinion, this is just the version to have. It offers just as much fun as the 2.0-liter, but for a smack less money – 5,000 euros to be exact. For that money you can buy a sportier chassis and still have money left over for a nice road trip!