Mazda MX-5 vs Smart Roadster
A two-seat roadster sounds like something you’d cash in when the chips are down, but buying an unconventional model can hand you sporty thrills at supermini running costs
A two-seat roadster sounds like something you’d cash in when the chips are down, but buying an unconventional model can hand you sporty thrills at supermini running costs. The default choice MX-5 is wonderful when it comes to handling, yet not so great on daily expenditure. This late MkII 1.8 (used MkIIIs are closer to £8,000) can offer mpg only in the low 30s and CO2 figures above 200g/km.
The Smart Roadster is as much fun in the bends, but the tiny turbo returns an official 55mpg and 122g/km of CO2. You’ve immediately saved £90 a year on tax, even with the Smart just missing the £35 band. That auto with manual shift function isn’t easy to love, and there are issues with roof leakages, but the Smart tightens the belt better than any other sports car here.
