Ride & Handling

The Miata's low weight delivers ride and handling benefits, however. With less mass to keep in check when cornering, the suspension doesn't have to be as firm to limit body roll. This helps with ride comfort on bumpy roads; for being a sporty car, the Miata doesn't punish its passengers with a jarring ride. Our car had the $500 Suspension Package, which includes a sport suspension and a limited-slip differential, and it soaked up bumps well.

The car's steering feel is another one of those rare-but-desirable qualities, kind of like the six-speed manual's movements. With a perfect amount of power assistance, the Miata exhibits sharp steering response and an overall connectedness to the road that perfectly complements the car's mission. This car wants to be flung around corners, and it rewards the driver with balanced performance. City drivers will especially appreciate the tight 30.8-foot turning circle.

    See also:

    Tires
    For reasons of proper performance, safety, and better fuel economy, always maintain recommended tire inflation pressures and stay within the recommended load limits and weight distribution. WARNI ...

    Rear WindowWiper and Washer
    The ignition switch must be in the ON position. Rear WindowWiper Turn the wiper on by turning the rear wiper/washer switch. ON - Normal. INT - Intermittent. Rear WindowWasher To spray wa ...

    Cargo
    At 11.5 cubic feet, the sedan's trunk is rather small, but the hatchback ups it to 17.1 cu. ft. behind the backseat and 43.8 cu. ft. when it's folded down. There's a rigid cargo cover to keep the ...