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

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.

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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.

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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.

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Overseas model shown

2022 Mazda MX-5 Australian pricing

Prices exclude on-road costs.

2022 Mazda MX-5 features

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MX-5

MX-5 GT

MX-5 RF GT Black Roof

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:

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.

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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.