I had an exceptional time spending a week with the Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter engine that produces 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.
I had a chance to talk with Rod McLaughlin the vehicle inline manager for MX-5 in the past. One thing about the MX-5 is the combination of weight and driving dynamics. During my week I sought opportunities to drive the MX-5 in places I could feel and experience those things.
I spent some time in old Ellicott City in the Eastern part of Maryland. Driving into the valley with twists and turns at low speeds required dexterity.
The driving was such a thrilling experience for me. On the MX-5, you have 16-inch wheels with a low center of gravity. There is also Exceptional handling.
It comes with a 6-speed manual transmission. It has skyactive technology. It also gets very few efficient EPA-rated 30 miles per gallon on the highway. There’s a lot of safety features like lane departure warning and blind-spot monitoring.
It came with Android Auto and I was able to enjoy driving with the top-down playing my song Paradise. It felt like paradise driving in the Mazda MX-5. I also was able to listen to the entire Chronicles of the Electromagnetic Field General album. It sounded terrific. I had a chance to drive on I-97 going over the Bay Bridge.
I also drove to the Western parts of Maryland in Hagerstown on I-70. In addition, I drove on I-81 going to the northeastern part of West Virginia. It was an encompassing drive. Cargo space was more than I thought. I was able to load two 40 packs of water and some other groceries in the trunk shopping in Columbia Maryland at Costco.
The MX-5 made a practical everyday driver. With great dynamics, excellent handling, and fuel-efficient it’s an exceptional performance. For more information visit www.mazdaUSA.com