Mazda MX-5 generations
(Ground clearance)| Generation year | Ground clearance |
|---|---|
| MX-5, Model year 1990 (NA) | 0 mm |
| MX-5, Model year 1998 (NB) | 0 mm |
| MX-5, Model year 2000 (NB (1. Facelift)) | 0 mm |
| MX-5, Model year 2005 (NC) | 0 mm |
| MX-5, Model year 2009 (NC (1. Facelift)) | 0 mm |
| MX-5, Model year 2012 (NC (2. Facelift)) | 0 mm |
| MX-5, Model year 2015 (ND) | 135 mm |
| MX-5, Model year 2023 (MX-5 ND (1. Facelift)) | 125 mm |
Variants
Mazda MX-5 variants: MX-5 RF vs. MX-5 Roadster
(Ground clearance)| Variant name | Ground clearance |
|---|---|
| MX-5 RF | 125 mm |
| MX-5 Roadster | 125 mm |
The ground clearance compared to other Mazda models
Within the Mazda family, the MX-5 is quite the ground-hugger compared to its brethren. You see, the Mazda MX-30 ambles along at a loftier 130 mm, while the Mazda 3 and its Fastback variant, along with the MX-5 RF and Roadster, are its ground clearance doppelgängers at 135 mm. The Mazda 2 Hybrid and the Mazda 2 are prancing along even higher with their haughty 143 mm. And then there's the SUV lineup, but let’s not embarrass our little roadster by comparing it with the likes of the 165 mm ground clearance Mazda 6 Kombi or the towering 200 mm Mazda CX-5.
Mazda MX-5 vs other current cars by Mazda
(Ground clearance)| Variant name | Ground clearance |
|---|---|
| MX-30 | 130 mm |
| 3 | 135 mm |
| 3 Fastback | 135 mm |
| MX-5 RF | 135 mm |
| MX-5 Roadster | 135 mm |
| 2 Hybrid | 135 mm |
| 2 | 143 mm |
| CX-80 | 165 mm |
| 6 Kombi | 165 mm |
| 6 {sedan} | 165 mm |
| CX-30 | 175 mm |
| CX-60 | 176 mm |
| CX-5 | 185 mm |
How does the ground clearance of the Mazda MX-5 compare to it's nearest competitors?
When pitted against its rivals, the Mazda MX-5's ground cleavage is a mixed bag of tidbits. For instance, the Hyundai Bayon and VW T-Cross are akin to off-road monsters in this comparison, with their 165 mm and 190 mm, respectively. The Alpine A110, after spending some time at the gym, matches MX-5's 125 mm. Peugeot’s 1007 barely skims the ground with 120 mm, and Porsche's Boxster, the MX-5’s European cousin in the membership-only sports car club, glides at a superior 121 mm. In this lightweight league, even a centimeter can be the difference between a scraped undercarriage and a clean getaway. But let's be honest, if you’re in an MX-5 and worried about ground clearance, you’ve probably taken a wrong turn onto a rally stage, you ambitious rascal!
Mazda MX-5 vs. similar cars
(Ground clearance)| Car model | Ground clearance |
|---|---|
| Fiat 124 1973 | 150 mm |
| Jaguar E-Type 1968 | 140 mm |
| Suzuki Cappuccino 1994 | 135 mm |
| Lotus 3-Eleven 2016 | 130 mm |
| Mazda MX-5 2023 | 125 mm |
| Porsche Boxster 2004 | 121 mm |
| Renault Wind 2010 | 120 mm |
| Honda S2000 2004 | 108 mm |
