Mazda MX-5 2.0L 2015 Review

Mazda MX-5 2.0L Roadster and Roadster GT
Local Launch Review
Dinner Plain, Victoria

Mazda has listened to its local customers, now offering the much-loved MX-5 with a choice of two SKYACTIV-G (petrol) engines for the first time. We've sampled the 1.5-litre previously and praised its authenticity to the 1989 original. Still, we can't help but want for that extra 'zoom zoom'... So, does the 2.0-litre deliver? Or is it a case of numbers for numbers' sake? A back-to-back comparison will tell us for sure, but in the meantime, we reckon Mazda is on to a pretty good thing.

There seems to be an attitude among Aussie car buyers that more is more. In the old days it was touted as "no replacement for cubic displacement"; nowadays we'd probably just call it "compensation"...

If you're a prior Mazda MX-5 owner you probably already understand that the little roadster isn't about outright speed, and would understand that simply adding more power doesn't necessarily make a good thing better.

But with a 2.0-litre MX-5 available in other parts of the world (and local buyers suffering a severe case of FOMO – Fear Of Missing Out), Mazda Australia decided to offer the "US-spec" motor alongside its 1.5-litre sibling.

Even before it officially went on sale 170 examples were pre-sold Down Under, which says something of our lust for all things bigger. But is the 2.0-litre worth the extra expenditure asked? Or is it a case of numbers for numbers' sake?

To find out Mazda took us to the Victorian High Country for a drive of its 2.0-litre roadster range.

The 2.0 SKYACTIV-G (for gasoline) powered model is rated at 118kW at 6000rpm and 200Nm at 4600rpm, or 22kW and 50Nm more than the 1.5 derivative. For reference that's the same power but 12Nm more than the previous NC-series and its MZR 2.0-litre, or 33kW and 70Nm over the original NA.

Acceleration times see the new 2.0-litre model hit 100km/h in 7.1sec, an improvement of 1.4sec over the 1.5-litre. Not surprisingly it's also a little thirstier, scoring an ADR Combined figure of 6.9L/100km as a manual (+0.8L) or 7.1L/100km as an auto (+0.5L).

Mazda specifies 95 RON PULP or higher. The fuel tank's capacity is 45 litres.

The 2.0-litre range is also a little pricier, the bigger engine adding $2500 across the board to start at $34,490 for the six-speed manual.

Otherwise the pair essentially shares the same equipment and trim levels, but is differentiated by mechanical specifications including engine output, kerb weight, brake disc diameter, wheel size and damper tuning.

Specifically those changes see the double wishbone (front) / multi-link (rear) suspension arrangement bolstered by firmer shock absorbers and thicker anti-roll bars. The 2.0-litre MX-5 also scores bigger brake rotors, now measuring 280mm diameter all-round (+22mm front / +25mm rear).

Combine all of these additions together and we find a kerb weight increase to 1033kg (+24kg) in manual form and 1057kg (+25kg) for the auto. Wheel track measurements, however, remain unchanged at 1495mm (front) / 1505mm (rear) – and this in spite of the inclusion of 17-inch wheels as standard (and 205/45-series tyres), up from 16-inch on the base 1.5-litre model.

In spite of the changes – and an additional 14kg over the nose – Mazda tells us the 2.0-litre MX-5 retains a 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution. It seems to handle similarly to the 1.5-litre model, and although we'd need to test the pair back-to-back to say for sure, feel the grip levels generated by each are just about identical.

Like the 1.5-litre model, the 2.0-litre loads progressively as the body leans its mass over the outboard tyres. It's a sensation exaggerated somewhat by the electrically-assisted steering's sharp initial response, but one that takes no time to get used to, and in the end sees you carrying much higher corner speeds than you'd otherwise expect.

On the downside, ride comfort has deteriorated a little, Indeed, the 2.0-litre model is appreciably firmer and compared to the 1.5 exaggerates sharp impacts and generates more scuttle shake than we recall of the 1.5-litre model. There also seems to be a little more road/tyre noise than before, though in the models sampled we found familiar wind-noise from behind the passenger's seat with the soft-top in place.

Good thing then, you're not missing much in the way of a characterful engine. If anything the 2.0-litre is less inspiring than the 1.5, lacking any intake note as it 'whirrs' to redline. There's no real resonance from the exhaust, either. Even outside the car the MX-5 sounds no more exciting than a CX-3, which is disappointing considering its street appeal.

The 2.0-litre engine certainly delivers on the extra poke it promises, however. It feels faster under straight-line acceleration and pulls harder from bends – without necessarily being too selective about your gear choice.

In the 1.5-litre version you need to be sure you have the right gear for the job, where the 2.0-litre is more content earlier in the rev range. It piles on the pace without effort and is more responsive during roll-on acceleration, which improves overtaking ability no end.

You could argue that the extra speed is not relevant to the MX-5 – and that anyone willing to work the gearbox of the 1.5 will extract much the same pace anyway – but we think automatic buyers especially will welcome the added performance of the 2.0-litre (even if we feel the six-speed automatic is a let-down when viewed against other 'sporty' autos and DCTs now available at this price).

The MX-5's auto seems to slur between gears and is lazy when left to shift of its own accord. Sport mode seems only to over compensate in 'holding' gears longer, and often without respect to road speed or steering input.

The steering wheel-mounted paddles improve things slightly by allowing the driver to take control. That said don't expect twin-clutch-like shift speeds or any such aural charisma. This is an automatic made for those wanting the look of an MX-5, and not a sporty self-shifting alternative to the brilliant short-throw manual.

So, what's the verdict?

Well, as a sportier (and by 'sportier' I mean higher performance) drive, the MX-5 2.0-litre has won me over. It's quicker, and feels as though its pace now matches its aesthetic attitude.

Yes, I'm disappointed by the exhaust note and the automatic transmission, and yes, I still love the 1.5-litre manual for the fun it allows at a grassroots level. But I've got to concede that in the case of the 2.0-litre more is more... And no, I'm not compensating for anything.

2015 Mazda MX-5 2.0L Roadster pricing and specifications:
Price: from $34,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 118kW/200Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 6.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 162g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Four-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Mazda MX-5 1.5L Roadster (from $31,990 plus ORCs)
>> Toyota 86 (from $29,990 plus ORCs)