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2022 Mazda MX-5 price and features: 1.5-litre engine dropped, new suspension tech added

Entry-level roadster to depart line-up due to poor sales

2022 Mazda MX 5 4
Gallery8

Key Points

  • 2022 MX-5 range to feature 2.0-litre engine only
  • Low sales lead to 1.5-litre's demise
  • New suspension leads to better cornering for updated model

UPDATE, January 11, 2022: Pricing for the updated 2022 Mazda MX-5 has been confirmed.

Our original story has been amended below to reflect this news.

The story to here

December 16, 2021: Mazda Australia has given the fourth-generation MX-5 a mid-life update, ushering in new technology while simultaneously ending the entry-level grade's time in showrooms.

Since the ND generation's last update in 2018, the Roadster has been sold with a choice of two four-cylinder engines – a 2.0-litre unit developing 135kW/205Nm and a cheaper, smaller 1.5-litre powertrain which produced 97kW/152Nm.

Unfortunately for the latter, it has now been dropped from the line-up, with low sales locally attributing to its demise, leaving the 2.0-litre SkyActiv engine as the only available source of power across the MX-5 Roadster and RF range.

2022 Mazda MX 5 5
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Overseas model shown

However, Mazda has been adding equipment to the popular sports car to keep it fresh, as the 2022 update gains Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) technology, something which the Japanese manufacturer believes will strengthen the MX-5's cornering abilities.

The KPC system applies a small amount of braking force to the inner rear wheel when the car is cornering, getting progressively stronger as the cornering loads become higher, aiming to suppress roll and keep the car settled in all circumstances.

With the departure of the smaller engine and the addition of KPC, all MX-5 variants are now fitted with safety equipment such as driver attention alert (DAA), lane departure warning (LDW), rear parking sensors, smart city brake support-rear (SCBS-R), auto-dimming rear view mirror and LED daytime running lamps as standard.

2022 Mazda MX 5 3
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Overseas model shown

In addition to this, Mazda now offers Platinum Quartz metallic as a new colour on the MX-5 as a no-cost option, with the RF GT also available with a Terracotta leather interior for the first time.

With the exclusion of the 1.5-litre variant from the updated MX-5 range, Mazda has confirmed the line-up will start at $37,690 before on-road costs for the base 2.0-litre – a $1600 increase over the previous entry price. In addition, other MX-5 variants have risen by between $300 and $600.

2022 Mazda MX 5 2
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Overseas model shown

2022 Mazda MX-5 Australian pricing

Prices exclude on-road costs.

Model Pricing
Roadster 2.0-litre manual $37,690 (+$1600 over ongoing 1.5-litre)
Roadster 2.0-litre automatic $39,690 (+$1600 over outgoing 1.5-litre)
RF 2.0-litre manual $42,000 (+$600)
RF 2.0-litre manual $44,000 (+$600)
Roadster GT 2.0-litre manual $44,320 (+$300)
Roadster GT 2.0-litre automatic $46,320 (+$300)
Roadster GT RS 2.0-litre manual $47,320 (+$300)
RF GT 2.0-litre manual $48,400 (+$300)
RF GT 2.0-litre automatic $50,400 (+$300)
RF GT Black Roof 2.0-litre manual $49,420 (+$300)
RF GT Black Roof 2.0-litre automatic $51,420 (+$300)
RF GT RS 2.0-litre manual $51,400 (+$300)

2022 Mazda MX-5 features

2021 Mazda MX-5 GT RS
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MX-5

2.0-litre engine (new)
17-inch alloy wheels (black)
Black side mirrors
Limited-slip differential (manual only)
LED headlamps
LED daytime running lamps (new)
Rain-sensing wipers
Single-zone climate control
Cruise control
Black cloth seats
7-inch infotainment system
Satellite navigation
Wireless or wired Apple CarPlay
Wired Android Auto
Digital radio
Six speakers
Auto-dimming rear view mirror (new)
Driver attention alert (new)
Lane departure warning (new)
Blind spot alert
Rear-cross traffic alert
Autonomous emergency braking – forward
Autonomous emergency braking – reverse (new)
Rear parking sensors (new)
Reverse camera
Traffic sign recognition
Tyre pressure monitoring.

MX-5 GT

17-inch alloy wheels (silver)
Adaptive LED headlamps
Heated body-coloured side mirrors
Heated black leather seats
Bose audio system with nine speakers
Keyless entry.

MX-5 RF GT Black Roof

Terracotta (new) or pure white Nappa leather seats
Black retractable roof.

MX-5 GT RS

17-inch BBS forged alloy wheels
Bilstein suspension dampers
Brembo front brakes
Suspension front tower brace bar
Black side mirrors.
2021 Mazda MX-5 GT RS
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Engine, drivetrain and fuel economy

As mentioned above, for 2022, the MX-5 will be powered exclusively by a 135kW/205Nm 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine.

A six-speed manual or automatic transmission is available across the range, excluding the manual-only GT RS flagship.

Combined fuel economy figures can be found in the table below:

Roadster 2.0-litre 6.8L/100km
RF 2.0-litre. 6.9L/100km.

Safety

Every variant of the Mazda MX-5 is covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted in 2016.

Six airbags (dual frontal, side chest and side curtain) are standard.

For 2022, the entry-level Roadster has picked up extra active safety equipment, with each variant now featuring:

  • Autonomous emergency braking (forward/reverse) with pedestrian detection
  • Lane-departure warning
  • Driver attention alert
  • Blind-spot alert
  • Rear-cross traffic alert
  • Traffic sign recognition
  • Rain-sensing wipers
  • Reversing camera
  • Rear parking sensors.
2021 Mazda MX-5 GT RS
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Warranty and servicing

As per the wider Mazda range, the MX-5 is covered by the brand's five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, along with a five-year roadside assistance program.

The service schedule for the MX-5 is 12 months or 10,000km, whichever occurs first. Capped priced servicing is offered on the MX-5, covering the first five-years or 50,000 kilometres.

Availability

The updated 2022 Mazda MX-5 is expected to arrive in local showrooms in the coming weeks.

Jordan Mulach
Contributor
Journalist

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