New Mazda MX-5 Z-Sport 2018 review

A few years after it launched, the fourth-generation MX-5 is still a thriller – and Mazda’s insistence to keep the updates flowing only reinforces its status as one of the finest sports cars on sale. This Z-Sport version has all the charm of the standard car with a dollop of added exclusivity, and for that reason, it could be a canny purchase.

The Mazda MX-5 has possibly the richest heritage of special edition models of any car ever made. In its near 30-year life and across the model’s countless global markets, the number of limited run spin-offs is very hard to keep track of. 

Here in Britain we’ve had our fair share of quirky MX-5s, and 2018 sees a new one enter the fray: the MX-5 2.0i Z-Sport. It’s on sale now, and just 300 will be made available to UK buyers. 

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The usual special edition rules apply. As mentioned, it’ll be made in limited numbers, while its unique styling tweaks ensure it stands out from the crowd. The MX-5 Z-Sport is finished in Machine Grey metallic paint, offset by a unique cherry red fabric roof. Additionally, 17-inch gloss black BBS alloy wheels inject a bit of aftermarket appeal.

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Inside, you’ll find an individually numbered Z-Sport plaque on the dash, plus Z-Sport scuff plates and floor mats. The seats and dash are upholstered with sand coloured leather.

Take away the Z-Sport goodies and it’s a range-topping 2.0-litre Sport Nav model. That means you get 158bhp and 200Nm, while a limited-slip differential and Bilstein dampers help take care of the driving side of things. The well-stocked standard equipment list aims to make the small interior feel as plush and connected as possible, too.

Interestingly though, the Z-Sport presents us with our first chance to try a series of mechanical revisions, which have now been applied to all new MX-5s. Every 2018 version of the venerable sports car comes with the subtle suspension, chassis and handling changes announced by Mazda back at the Tokyo Motor Show last October.

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Subtle they are, too. There was very little wrong with the way the MX-5 drove before Mazda’s engineers thought it reasonable to have a rethink, and it remains very much the same. It’d probably take a fine-tuned MX-5 aficionado driving the old and the new car back-to-back to unearth any tangible differences, though Mazda’s listed claims include sharper steering and revisions to the rear suspension. 

Three years into its life, the fourth-generation MX-5 is still one of the UK’s top drivers’ cars, and the 2.0-litre soft-top is Mazda’s most potent combination. While the performance figures lag a little behind the latest generation hot hatchbacks, the 7.3-second 0-62mph dash isn’t to be sniffed at.

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The responsiveness and free revving, raspy nature of the four-cylinder engine, plus the low seating position, small cockpit and sweet gearshift, all add to the sense of fun, too. Only the biggest speed freaks will feel underwhelmed from a performance point of view. 

Turning the wheel reveals just how well the MX-5 holds itself on the road, with the sharp, direct steering brimming with feel. It’s light for a sports car, but that’s unsurprising given the tiny 1,075kg kerbweight. The ride isn’t too harsh on those 17-inch wheels and low profile tyres, either, again thanks to the low overall mass.

In fact, thanks to its perfect 50:50 weight distribution, the MX-5 still feels like the ideal set of training wheels. The chassis and suspension setup invites you to explore the car’s limits, too, and the limited-slip differential means it always feels responsive and poised. 

What’s more, this Z-Sport special edition is only £530 more expensive than the standard 2.0-litre Sport Nav model on list price. On a PCP deal, that’ll likely equate to a manageably small increase in monthly repayments, and as such, could be the MX-5 to buy right now.