If you’re in the market for a convertible sports car, the Mazda MX-5 offers pretty much all you’d ever need. Stunning looks, excellent driving dynamics, a nippy engine and most importantly — the top down experience.
Now, the Japanese manufacturer offers both a hard- and soft-top version of the fourth-generation MX-5, taking a bold move to compete with itself. Which should you get, though? We pit RF against Z-Sport in the battle of the convertibles.
The looks
The ND Mazda MX-5 is arguably the best-looking version of the little sports car since the original was launched in 1989. Both the RF and soft-top models feature the aggressive, angular front bodywork and compact rear.
What separates the two visually is when the roofs are down. The soft-top tucks away like a traditional convertible roof — leaving a clean body line — while the RF has a more targa-esque look, with the C pillars remaining in place when the top is dropped.
What’s under the bonnet?
Under the bonnet of both cars we have here are identical 2.0-litre, naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engines. They develop 158bhp and 200Nm of torque, while fuel economy is claimed at 40.9mpg with CO2 emissions of 161g/km. Both are paired to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard.
Both cars achieve 0-60mph in 7.1 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 133mph in this configuration.
There’s also 1.5-litre unit available on both the RF and soft-top cars (the Z-Sport is only available with the 2.0-litre), as is a six-speed automatic gearbox on the larger motor.
Behind the wheel
The fourth-generation MX-5 offers as pure a driving experience as anything on the market today. It’s not the most powerful thing to drive, but nimble handling and brisk-enough acceleration allows for some serious fun to be had in either hard-top or soft-top form.
The RF has a slightly softer suspension setup, in an effort to give it more of a grand tourer feel, although this does mean the driving experience is not quite as refined during spirited B-road adventures.
Inside the car
Regardless of which MX-5 you choose, the cabin is going to be virtually identical. It’s all well-made, features premium materials — with Sport Nav models boasting nappa leather upholstery — and is clearly focused towards the driver. It’s not exactly spacious, but it’s a cosy place to be and everything feels well-placed.
Options available across the MX-5 range includes heated seats, a Bose speaker system and a seven-inch infotainment display with Bluetooth connectivity and navigation.
Hard-top or soft-top?
Despite the inherent similarities of both cars, the difference a hard-top and soft-top roof can make the ownership experience totally different.
The RF’s hard-top allows it to work more effectively than the soft-top as a long-distance cruiser. Wind noise at motorway speeds is reduced compared to the rag-top (although it does still exist), and at also frees up some storage space in the cabin — where the soft-top’s release usually takes up most of the area. We’d argue it looks better, too.
It does have its drawbacks, though. Folding and retracting the roof takes quite a while, and it can only be done at speeds of up to 6mph — making it impractical to use on the move. The chunky C-pillars also limit visibility, although the RF does offer blind spot assistance to counter this.
As for the soft-top, it offers the pure convertible sports car experience. Roof down, you can see and hear everything going on, although do expect plenty more to come into the cabin. Visibility is also much better with the top up and it’s as quick and easy to put down with just one hand. The downside is more road noise, and it also requires special treatment when cleaning the car to avoid fading and mould.
Which should I buy?
Which you choose to buy really depends on the kind of driving experience you want. If you need something that can carry you for longer distances, but also be a riot on the weekends, the RF hard-top could be the one for you — it also offers an extra layer of security over the canvas roof.
If you’re looking for a weekend car, one to be stowed in a garage, the soft-top is the way to go. It offers the purer experience and has the extra edge in spirited driving. It may be a little harsher on motorways than the RF, but it’s just as usable elsewhere.