Initial Quality—In the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Initial Quality Study, the 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata received the highest ranking out of 7 compact sporty vehicles.

Performance and Design—In the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study, the Mazda MX-5 Miata ranked 5th out of 7 compact sporty vehicles.

Predicted Reliability—The Mazda Miata has trended exceptionally well in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Studies since 2000. In the most recent 2008 study, the 2005 Miata received the highest ranking for overall dependability out of 6 compact sporty vehicles.

Fuel Economy—EPA fuel economy estimates for the 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata are 22 mpg city/27 mpg highway for models equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission and 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway for models equipped with the 6-speed manual. With the optional 6-speed automatic, estimates are 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway. During our test drive in a Miata MX-5 with an automatic, we averaged 20.5 mpg.

Safety—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had not conducted crash tests on the Mazda MX-5 Miata at the time of publication.

Environment—According to the EPA, the 2008 Miata MX-5 with a manual consumes 14.3 barrels of petroleum annually and 14.9 barrels per year with an automatic. This results in a carbon footprint rating of 7.7 tons of CO2 output per year for the manual transmission and 8 tons of CO2 output per year for models with the automatic. The Miata’s national air pollution score is 6 out of 10, with 10 being the best. In California and New England, its air pollution score is a 7.

More information on the 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
More photos of the 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Ratings for the 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata