If you believe in adages, then “Miata is always the answer” is definitely true when it comes to the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club. We spent a week in the convertible and were reminded just how good this little car continues to be.
Miata is always the answer, and the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club only confirms the adage. (Photo credit: Brendan Strong)
The refrain “Miata is always the answer” is true because it does so many things very well. Want a convertible as a daily driver? Miata. Want to do Autocross? Miata. Just want a weekend fun car that won’t break the bank? Miata.
One of the best things about the Miata is that even though it has changed plenty over its three decades-plus of life, it still looks basically the same as the first-generation version. Yeah, some variants have pop-up headlamps while others don’t, but overall, it’s the same car.
In fact, it’s 1.5 inches shorter than the original, and despite additional government-mandated safety equipment, it’s gained less than 160 pounds compared to the debut model! Find another sports car that can make the same claim.
The same but better
While the original version was a happy-looking car, the 2025 Club model isn’t that. It’s not exactly angry either, more like a familiar face that makes you smile. The flip-up headlamps are gone, and in their place are narrow, angled lights that make it look athletic and lean.
The 2025 Miata is basically the same size and weight as the original version from 35 years ago. (Photo credit: Brendan Strong)
The Club model sports design elements such as a gloss black front air dam, and rear lip spoiler. Compared to the Sport model, which is the base version, the Club features black metallic 17-inch wheels, a trunk lid-mounted shark fin antenna, body color high-mount brake light cover, vinyl-leather material throughout the interior, heated cloth seats with a suede insert, along with a piano black seat back bar trim.
The convertible top remains human powered, which isn’t a bad thing at all. I was able to open and close the top all with one hand (not while driving, to be clear) with a minimum of fuss. The black top looks great with the Aero Gray Metallic exterior.
Even though the word “metallic” is in the name, it looks like a matte gray color, which has become popular in recent years — until you get up close. Then you can see a little bit of depth in the color that gives it a simple, but attractive look. Even after all these years, the Miata’s one of the best-looking vehicles on the road.
Sporty, but not obscene
One of the best things about the Miata is the 2.0-liter dual overhead cam 4-cylinder engine. It’s tied to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed auto with paddle shifters — we had the manual, and why would you get it any other way??? — that puts out 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque.
The 2025 Miata Club is a fun, tossable little car that could even double as a daily driver. (Photo credit: Brendan Strong)
The Miata Club comes with sport-tuned with Bilstein dampers, a front shock tower brace, induction sound enhancer, and an Asymmetric conical clutch type LSD. Plus, for a nominal fee ($4,900) , you can add the Brembo BBS Recaro package.
The package includes Brembo front brakes with red-painted front and rear calipers, dark gunmetal 17-inch BBS forged wheels, and heated Recaro sport seats. Added design features in this package include an aero kit with gloss black side sill extensions and rear bumper skirt.
What you get is a super light vehicle — 2,366 pounds — with a fantastic power-to-weight ratio of 13.1 pounds per horsepower. Look around for top numbers and you see names like Koenigsegg, Hennessey, SSC, etc. In short, it’s a bad little machine.
I took it for several runs up and down my favorite local twisty road and was simply amazing. I’ve driven several Miatas and they never disappoint. Always tight. Always responsive. Always turning heads as you whiz on by.
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