Five-Point Inspection: 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club

Winter: the perfect time to test crossovers, snow tires and convertibles, right? Well, maybe not that last one, but anyone who wants to buy a convertible, like this 2013 Mazda MX-5, should know how it fares in all four seasons, not just in drop-top temperatures.

Starting at $23,720 in base MX-5 Sport trim, our tester, the Miata Club, packs on quite a few much-needed extras. For starters, there’s a power hard-top and six gears. The Miata Club trim also adds a sportier suspension with Bilstein shock as well as a mechanical limited slip differential, a set of black aluminium-alloy wheels and an appearance package. These bring the price up to a still respectable $28,465, but those upgrades alone don’t answer the little question of how the MX-5 fared in the snow.

For that you have to read on.

First and foremost, the MX-5 is a little car. At 6”1, I just about reach the limits of the MX-5s headroom, and occasionally find myself rubbing elbows with passengers. Leg-room too is a concern, with passengers wondering aloud why there’s a huge bulge in the floor where their legs should go.

Cargo space is also a worry for those who like to stay prepared. With just 5.3 cu. ft. of cargo space, the trunk may fit a few groceries but it certainly won’t accommodate a shovel (maybe a kids one?) in case the little guy gets buried.

For many, rear wheel drive isn’t the right choice for winter driving. Let the MX-5 alleviate those fears, with its 50/50 weight distribution and limited slip differential that ensures power gets to the ground as you need it. There’s plenty of grip, as long as the snow doesn’t get too deep.

Our little Mazda also had a some help from impressive Michelin Primacy Alpine Winter Tires, which helped to maintain the responsive steering, and make sure we stayed out of trouble. With sports cars like the MX-5 it’s absolutely imperative that the right tires are equipped, and the pairing of the MX-5’s light, 2,500 lb. weight with grippy winter tires meant that the vehicle wasn’t stuck once during our test.

One of the most refreshing things about the MX-5 is its road manners. Where other sporty cars give a sense of sportiness by stiffening up the suspension, the MX-5 manages to feel planted without a back-breaking suspension setup.

Leave it to Mazda’s suspension gurus to build a vehicle that lets you feel the road and be smooth at the same time. The sport-tuned suspension and Bilstein shocks are perfectly customized for just about every situation, from city driving, back-roads switchbacks and pothole-infested highways.

The car urges you to play with it. The short shifts, the peppy and responsive engine, the sharp and direct steering; it all comes in unison to make a car that is extra enjoyable to drive, no matter what the weather conditions are. The MX-5 maintains an analogue feel that is missing from so many cars today, which use intrusive stability controls, electronics, electric power steering, and other tricks, which diminish the feedback and the union between man and machine.

While the MX-5 is a blast compared to many other cars out there, it still lacks a few key amenities. It’s disappointing to not have Bluetooth phone and audio support, while other convertibles like the VW Beetle have it in a base trim. That’s not all that’s off in the MX-5. The cup holders are shallow, and are hidden by a cover which refuses to stay open.

Hardly deal-breakers, these facts are still something to consider if the MX-5 is to be your daily driver. The dominant force in the convertible segment, it’s year-round capable, though will always leave you wanting for warmth.