2024 Mazda MX-5 price and specs: Still cheaper than a Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ?

The 2024 Mazda MX-5 has arrived in Australian showrooms – with another round of price rises since the latest model was shown last year – though it remains one of the most affordable rear-wheel-drive sports cars still on sale.

The latest MX-5 upgrade – with revised styling, a new infotainment screen, and handling improvements – is one of the most significant since the current generation of Mazda's long-running sports car launched in 2015.

On top of price increases of $2310 to $3220 when the 2024 MX-5 was unveiled in October last year, prices have crept up by a further $150 earlier this year due to changes in logistics costs, and the fluctuating Australian dollar.

The MX-5 range now starts from $41,520 plus on-road costs for the base Roadster – now only available with a six-speed manual transmission – which still undercuts the most affordable Subaru BRZ ($44,790) and Toyota GR86 ($43,240).

When the 2.0-litre engine was made standard across the range about two years ago – and the 1.5-litre was deleted – the cheapest MX-5 was $37,690 plus on-road costs – $3830, or about 10 per cent cheaper.

Stepping up to the middle-of-the-range Roadster GT raises prices to $48,640 for the manual, and $51,490 for the six-speed automatic version, while the manual-only, top-spec GT RS with a fabric roof is $51,640 (all before on-road costs).

All Roadster variants are also available with a ‘retractable fastback’ (RF) folding hard-top roof, adding $4500 to the asking price across the board barring the base version that is $4730 pricier.

An RF GT Black Roof variant is also on offer, with a unique tan-coloured leather interior and available exclusively with an automatic transmission, for $55,660 plus on-road costs.

Mazda Australia expects the sales split between body styles to be even, while most customers are projected to opt for the manual over the automatic transmission (64 per cent vs 35 per cent).

It expects the most popular variant across both Roadster and RF to be the mid-spec GT, followed by the GT RS, and then the base versions.

All new 2024 MX-5 models are powered by a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 135kW at 7000rpm and 205Nm at 4000rpm

For a full breakdown of what's new, click here to read our earlier story, however highlights include a larger infotainment display, restyled daytime-running light signatures, new wheel designs, an asymmetric limited-slip differential and Track stability-control mode for certain manual models, retuned power steering, and Mazda Connected Services support.

Standard equipment includes black 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, power-adjustable side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and cloth seats, but new for 2024 is an 8.8-inch infotainment screen running updated Mazda Connect software, replacing an ageing 7.0-inch MZD Connect display.

It includes wireless Apple CarPlay as before – but now wireless, rather than wired-only Android Auto – plus digital radio, and in-built satellite navigation.

Standard safety features include cruise control, driver attention alert, lane departure warning, front and side airbags, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, and tyre pressure monitoring.

Stepping up to the GT adds black and silver 17-inch wheels (again a new design), adaptive LED headlights, heated side mirrors, black leather interior, heated front seats, keyless entry, and a Bose nine-speaker sound system.

The top-spec GT RS gains with BBS-branded 17-inch alloys, Bilstein dampers, Brembo front brakes, a front strut bar, and a Track driving mode.

To further differentiate the manual versions from the automatics, an asymmetrical limited-slip differential is also included to smooth out deceleration.

Helping justify the bigger step up from the base Roadster to the entry-level RF is the inclusion of synthetic suede seats in the hard-top, while nappa leather is also used in the RF GT and RF GT RS variants.

As previously reported, the 2024 MX-5 will also be the first Mazda model with connected services, which will contact emergency services in the event of a serious collision and allow for vehicle status monitoring from a smartphone application.

Mazda Connected Services is complimentary for all new MX-5 buyers for three years, and Mazda Australia is yet to determine the cost thereafter.

Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.