The updated Mazda MX-5 has arrived in Australia, but it is even more expensive than the price announced late last year.
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).
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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.
2024 Mazda MX-5 price in Australia
MX-5 Roadster manual – $41,520 (up $150 above previous $2310 hike) MX-5 Roadster GT manual – $48,640 (up $150 above previous $2800 hike) MX-5 Roadster GT auto – $50,140 (up $150 above previous $2300 hike) MX-5 Roadster GT RS manual – $51,640 (up $150 above previous $2800 hike) MX-5 RF manual – $46,250 (up $150 above previous $2730 hike) MX-5 RF GT manual – $52,140 (up $150 above previous $3220 hike) MX-5 RF GT auto – $54,640 (up $150 above previous $2720 hike) MX-5 RF GT Black Roof and Tan Leather auto – $55,660 (up $150 above previous $2720 hike) MX-5 RF GT RS manual – $56,140 (up $150 above previous $3220 hike)
Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.
2024 Mazda MX-5 Roadster and RF standard features:
Cloth soft-top (Roadster) or body-coloured retractable hardtop roof (RF) Kinetic Posture Control 17-inch black metallic alloy wheels with 205/45 tyres (new design) Asymmetrical limited-slip rear differential (manual models only) Dusk-sensing LED headlights LED daytime-running lights (new design) 8.8-inch MZD Connect infotainment touchscreen with wireless/wired Apple CarPlay, wireless/wired Android Auto, satellite navigation and digital radio Six-speaker sound system Black cloth upholstery (with suede inserts in RF model only) Climate control air conditioning Rain-sensing wipers Auto-dimming rear-view mirror Gloss black power-adjustable side mirrors Rear parking sensors (with reversing camera) Autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse) with front pedestrian detection Lane departure warning Cruise control Blind-spot monitoring Rear cross-traffic alert Traffic sign recognition Tyre pressure monitoring Driver attention alert Mazda Connected Services
2024 Mazda MX-5 Roadster GT and RF GT add (over Roadster/RF):
17-inch bright silver and black alloy wheels (new design) Adaptive LED headlights Black leather upholstery Heated front seats Nine-speaker, 203-watt Bose premium sound system Keyless entry (proximity key) Body-coloured power-adjustable side mirrors with heating
2024 Mazda MX-5 RF Black Roof adds (over RF GT):
Black-painted roof panel Tan nappa leather upholstery, replacing black leather
2022 Mazda MX-5 Roadster GT RS and RF GT RS add (over GT variants):
17-inch forged BBS alloy wheels Bilstein dampers (suspension) Brembo front brake calipers Under-bonnet front strut tower brace bar Gloss black mirror caps (with carry-over power adjustment and heating) DSC-Track driving mode Black leather only
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
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