Cargazing
By Derek Price

The 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF represents something increasingly rare in today’s automotive landscape: a vehicle designed to excel at one specific mission without compromise.

In an era when manufacturers chase broader appeal through added size, luxury and convenience features, Mazda has steadfastly refused to dilute the Miata’s essential character — a commitment that has created one of the most enduring sports car formulas in automotive history.

Behind the wheel, the connection between driver and machine feels immediate and organic.
The Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, with a thrilling 7,500 rpm redline.

These figures sound modest on paper but feel perfectly calibrated for the lightweight chassis.

Power delivery is linear and predictable, building smoothly through the rev range while the six-speed manual transmission offers crisp, precise shifts that encourage frequent gear changes and redline chases.

What truly distinguishes the Miata from virtually every other sports car is its ability to make ordinary drives feel special.

The steering weight builds naturally as speeds increase, providing genuine feedback about road surface and tire grip. The suspension strikes an ideal balance between comfort and control, absorbing road imperfections while maintaining the taut responses that make canyon roads irresistible.

The latest Miata maintains the classic roadster proportions while the retractable hardtop adds versatility without compromising the car’s clean aesthetic lines.

The RF (Retractable Fastback) variant tested here addresses one of the traditional roadster compromises.

The power-folding hard top transforms the driving experience dramatically, creating a quiet, refined cabin when closed that makes daily driving genuinely pleasant.

Road noise drops to civilized levels, eliminating the fatigue associated with soft-top convertibles during longer journeys. When opened, the top stows cleanly without compromising the car’s elegant proportions.

As someone who has owned a 1994 Miata for years, I can see that the fundamental appeal of this formula remains unchanged. That first-generation car captured something magical about the pure sports car experience — lightweight construction, perfect balance, and an almost telepathic connection between driver and machine.

The joy of rowing through gears, feeling every nuance of the road surface and experiencing the mechanical symphony of a naturally aspirated engine never grows old.

After decades of driving that original car, it’s remarkable how Mazda has preserved those essential qualities while adding modern refinement.

The Miata’s purposeful cabin places the driver at the center of the experience, with intuitive controls and a low seating position that enhances the connection between car and driver.

This current generation represents the finest evolution of the original concept since that 1989 debut. Rather than succumbing to focus group demands for more size, power or luxury, Mazda has refined the fundamental formula through their philosophy of kaizen — continuous improvement.

Interior space remains tight by conventional standards, but every surface feels purposefully designed rather than compromised. The driving position places you low and centered, with major controls falling naturally to hand.

Material quality exceeds expectations for the price point, though luxury amenities remain minimal by design — exactly as they should be.

Few modern vehicles manage to feel like living, breathing entities rather than sophisticated appliances.

The Miata achieves this connection through careful engineering and unwavering commitment to its core mission. It represents automotive purity in an increasingly complex world, continuing a 35-year tradition of making every drive an event worth savoring.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF ($40,650). Options: Premium paint ($595). Price as tested (including $1,185 destination charge): $42,430

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 90.9 in.
Length: 154.1 in.
Width: 59.2 in.
Height: 49 in.
Engine: 2.0-liter four cylinder (181 hp, 151 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Six-speed manual
MPG equivalent: 26 city, 34 highway

RATINGS

Style: 10
Performance: 7
Price: 9
Handling: 10
Ride:5
Comfort: 3
Quality: 9
Overall: 10

WHY BUY IT?

The 2025 Miata delivers an uncompromised sports car experience that prioritizes driver connection and pure enjoyment over everything else.

Cargazing
By Derek Price

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid represents something uncommon in today’s crossover landscape: a genuinely engaging hybrid that doesn’t sacrifice driving dynamics for fuel efficiency.

While most manufacturers treat electrification as an excuse to numb the driving experience, Mazda has created something that feels authentically sporty while delivering impressive economy.

Behind the wheel, the CX-50 Hybrid feels more responsive and nimble than its 219-horsepower output suggests. The Toyota-sourced hybrid system combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors and a continuously variable transmission, but Mazda’s engineers have tuned the package to feel less sluggish than typical CVT applications.

The steering remains precise and weighted, offering more engagement than you’ll find in a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V Hybrid.

The trade-offs become apparent during acceleration runs, where the CX-50 Hybrid feels noticeably slower than the turbocharged variants. The engine note under load lacks refinement, producing a coarse sound that reminds you this powertrain prioritizes efficiency over auditory pleasure.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid maintains the model’s rugged, adventure-ready styling while adding subtle hybrid badging and unique wheel designs to distinguish it from gasoline variants.

For buyers seeking the CX-50’s inherently sporty character, the hybrid version dilutes some of those appealing qualities.

What the hybrid delivers exceptionally well is fuel economy. EPA estimates of 39 mpg city and 37 mpg highway represent genuine real-world efficiency that translates to meaningful savings at the pump.

During my week of mixed driving, the CX-50 Hybrid consistently delivered on those promises without requiring hypermiling techniques.

The interior continues Mazda’s impressive recent trajectory toward premium materials and thoughtful design.

The cabin feels more upscale than anything else in this price range, with quality soft-touch surfaces, logical control placement and an overall sense of refinement that justifies the premium over mainstream competitors.

Rear seat space feels tight for taller passengers, but front occupants enjoy excellent comfort and visibility.

The CX-50 Hybrid’s cabin features premium materials and intuitive controls that feel more upscale than most competitors, with supportive seats and excellent forward visibility for confident driving.

Mazda’s commitment to driving dynamics extends beyond the powertrain. The CX-50 Hybrid maintains the brand’s preference for slightly firmer suspension tuning and heavier steering effort, resulting in more controlled handling than most compact crossovers.

The ride quality pays a small penalty, but enthusiast drivers will appreciate the added connection and feedback. Off-road capability exceeds expectations for this segment, thanks to standard all-wheel drive and well-tuned traction management.

The Premium Plus trim tested here includes nearly every available feature, from the panoramic moonroof to premium Bose audio and advanced safety systems.

At just over $40,000, it represents solid value for the equipment level and build quality provided.

The CX-50 Hybrid succeeds in an area where many manufacturers struggle: maintaining brand character while embracing electrification.

It offers buyers who want both engaging dynamics and impressive fuel economy a compelling alternative to the increasingly bland hybrid crossover field.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus ($40,050). Options: None. Price as tested (including $1,420 destination charge): $41,920

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 110.8 in.
Length: 186.1 in.
Width: 80.8 in.
Height: 65.8 in.
Power: 2.5-liter four cylinder engine plus electric motor (combined 219 hp)
Transmission: Continuously variable
MPG: 39 city, 37 highway

RATINGS

Style: 8
Performance: 6
Price: 7
Handling: 9
Ride: 6
Comfort: 6
Quality: 8
Overall: 7

WHY BUY IT?

The CX-50 Hybrid delivers exceptional fuel economy and premium interior quality while preserving the engaging driving dynamics that make Mazda crossovers special.