- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 2 seats
- Engine
2.0i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
135kW, 205Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 6.8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2016)
2019 Mazda MX-5 RF long-term review: Introduction
Meet ‘Max’, the 2019 Mazda MX-5 RF. Yep, we spent many hours coming up with that name for the latest addition to our long-term fleet.
Over the next three months, we will report on how the MX-5 tackles day-to-day life, through the city, country, and a road trip thrown in for good measure. Also, we will take a look at its infotainment and interior.
In this update, we go through all the details and features of our MX-5 RF.
Our new long-termer is the most affordable RF available, starting at $40,200 before on-road costs.
It is covered in Snowflake White Pearl Mica paint and comes with the standard black cloth trim interior.
Highlighted updates to the 2019 model are a more powerful 2.0-litre engine, telescopic steering wheel, and a rear-view camera.
Standard features include auto on/off LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, power windows with one-touch down, climate control, leather-trimmed steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake lever.
Also standard on our long-termer is autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Other noticeable features are front and side airbags, traffic sign recognition, hill start assist, and tyre pressure monitoring.
Powering the RF is a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, with 135kW of power and 205Nm of torque, up by 17kW and 5Nm pre-update. Sending drive to the rear wheels is a six-speed manual transmission.
The 0-100km/h sprint is done in under seven-seconds.
Mazda claims the two-seater will achieve 6.9L/100km fuel consumption, but we will, of course, put that figure to the test over time.
Suspension at the front is a double wishbone set up, while multi-link does the job at the rear keeping those 17-inch alloy wheels on the road.
Get a great deal today
Interested in this car? Provide your details and we'll connect you to a member of the Drive team.
MZD Connect is operated through a 7.0-inch screen accessed by a rotary dial.
DAB radio and satellite navigation are the standouts, however, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have not been retrofitted to this car.
With the powered retractable roof, it has only decreased the boot space by three litres over the Roadster, bringing it to 127 litres. And thanks also to the roof and its mechanism, the MX-5 RF is 66kg heavier than the standard MX-5, tipping the scales at 1087kg.
MORE: Mazda MX-5 news, reviews, videos, and comparisons
MORE: Everything Mazda
MORE: Long-term reports