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MazdaMX-5 RF (2017-)

Available new
Sports
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid

£28,595Typical price

Test score

where to buy or sell

The version of this car that we've reviewed might not be available to buy through all listed retailer links. For more options, see our guides on where to buy a car and how to sell a car.

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Mazda's domination of the affordable sports car market continues with the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5. As well as the soft-top MX-5, Mazda offers the RF (Retractable Fastback) with a hard roof that can fold away behind the seats. Should you consider the RF over the cheaper MX-5 convertible? Read our full Mazda MX-5 RF review to find out.

pros

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cons

What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What's it like to drive?
How reliable are Mazda cars?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Jan 2023Last checked by Which?
Jan 2018First reviewed by Which?
Mar 2017Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

19 Oct 2023

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (small and sports cars)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of three stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Which? safety

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Petrol reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability

General
Class	Sports
Luxury	No
Convertible	Yes
Availability	Available new
New price	£28,595 - £35,403
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	42.8mpg
Length	3,915mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,735mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	1,925mm
Height	1,230mm
Driver max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	2
Folding rear seats	No
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	10.3 m
On sale date	01 March 2017
Lowest pence per mile cost	£15.29

Latest tested engine
Engine name	Skyactiv G 160 i-Eloop
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	2-litre (160hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	45 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	15.29p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£65
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Medium
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	150
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	178
Official fuel economy: NEDC	40.9
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Engine test date	27 July 2017
Test programme	2017

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All new and used car advice

MazdaMX-5 RF (2017-)

where to buy or sell

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pros

cons

What's included?

How we test cars

Ease of driving

Performance

Comfort and practicality

Euro NCAP

Which? safety

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Brand reliability 10-15 years

How this product's score compares with other new and used cars we've tested

Suggested Alternatives

Kia

Renault

Seat

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MazdaMX-5 RF (2017-)

where to buy or sell

pros

cons

What's included?

Test results

Specifications

Best Buys & Don't Buys

Suggested Alternatives

Kia

Renault

Seat

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