2023 Subaru BRZ vs Mazda MX-5/Miata | Which lightweight sports car is best?

Progam a steller AI to rearrange the MX5 to be powered by the BRZ boxer engine! Can you even imagine how WONDERFUL that could be? A 225hp boxer powered Miata? Weighing 2300 llbs A Porsche killer! Notice I said "rearrange" because it would take a serious redesign from the ground up no doubt...but you know how AIs can merge things? Toss out the I4 2 liter and have the AI squeeze into the design the boxer engine ....Hey while we are it? Have the AI give the 2.4 liter boxer engine any of the Mazda tech that might improve anything? Like the Skyactive? One thing I love about my ND is the option to run any of thr three grades of fuel idk if the BRZ knows that trick?

Miata by knockout.

MX-5 all day long if you want to drive hard. Drove one recently and it’s excellent. BRZ if you need something more practical and don’t intend to drive it hard. Reliability is a legit concern for the old and new BRZ. I know. I spun a bearing in the prior gen cruising in 6th gear at around 85 mph after some spirited street driving. Not what I expect from a Japanese sports car. Out of warranty and cost me over 11k. New engines are reportedly even less reliable. Get an extended warranty and avoid hard driving and the track if you can’t afford a new engine. Or just get the MX-5. Or save for something more purpose built with back seats if you need practicality. You’ve been warned.

I own a 2022 BRZ as my only car. I think I would have bought the MX-5 instead if it were a second car.

I plan to finally indulge myself & buy one of these in 2024 - just haven't decided which yet. For the MX-5/Miata I prefer the RF version over the "Rag Top" version though. I love my 2022 Mazda CX-30 (my first automatic in 40+ years of driving), but I do miss driving a manual.

Having made the choice to buy an MX5, the BRZ wasn’t really considered as I wanted top down motoring.
And finding out that the manuals lacked the EyeSight technology was a shock.
So surely the BRZ can’t be a better car lacking some fundamental safety features? (Subaru may fix this soon).

Great video thank you for not being the "sit on the fence depends what you like" video. I like hearing what others definitively think! Suscribed.

I can't understand a word you're saying

You buy a mx5 because you want a two seat convertible. The Subaru is just another tin top. I can’t see the point of these comparisons

They’re both too slow.

The toyota 86 will not give you a huge smile but the mazda will.Theses cars are night and day difference.The mazdas comparison would be the new gr 86 massive difference to the gt86

Toyota needs to put that new 3 cylinder turbo 300hp engine in the gr86. Not that would be a hot ticket

Was considering a 22/23 Brz or 86 then found out about the RTV issues that can lead to engine failure

If you're tall, the MX-5 might not even be an option.

I'm 6-foot and my head touches the roof.

You think Ferrari and lambo owners choose those cars for more space? Really? If ya need more space get an SUV. Sports cars are ,mainly for weekend fun .

Dial is definitely less distracting

BRZ is just a bore-looking car, my friend.

Good luck in finding a BRZ or GR86.i went 2 a local dearller &
was told they had' nt had one in
over 1 yr. said they could order one,
but could not promise any better
results. Of course really was not the determining factor.

All this video says is buy the new GR 86, and not MX-5
Marketing it is.

But if we have reward the manufacturer with our precious dollar?
How do we choose?

Several month before I had make that decision.
And here is my conclusion.
Pick the MX-5

Suspension quality --- MX-5 wins
Check out the article -> Autoblog's Mazda MX-5 Miata Suspension Deep Dive
Meanwhile a lot of stamped steel under the GR86/BRZ ...
Savage Geese came to same conclusion as well in his video.

Engine refinement -> MX-5
MX-5 ND2's engine refinement, will let you google that yourself.
In brief, ND2 has short Ultra-light” pistons, lighter connecting rods, and a new high-lift crankshaft, dual mass flywheels.
Revs beautifully. Toyota didn't want to invest time to improve their 2.0L, so just threw in 2.4. IMO lazy attempt.
The last 2.0L has flat curve issues, which could have improved, and refined.

Design --> MX-5
MX-5 RF in targa top, isn't that classy?
In soft top form, you can cruise under the star light ....
GR-86 is a coupe. The execution is good.
In terms of sophistication and class, the MX-5 should be win, right?
Toyota won't give you a convertible, unless you go up to Lexus LC money.
Where is the Toyota MR3? MR2 was great. GR 86 styling nice but not great.

Chassis - MX-5 again
The MX-5 exists in a version called 990s
Meaning curb weights 990kg.
Don't take that lightly.

Toyota needs to try harder to trim the fat from the chassis.

Remember Lotus 7, now Catham 7
Throw it around the mountain, and you will realize what a light chassis at under 500 kg can do?

Body paint ---> MX-5
Why?
Toyota saved the good paint for their Lexus Marque.
MX-5 has some truely amazing paint.
The soul red alone has more depth and mica in it.
Toyota can do some amazing paint but didn't provide.

Dash/Dials Speedo ---> MX-5
Why?
Is digital dash good? Think Leica and classic analog.
Personally I think a needle and dial is easy to read.
And you can see the rate of change with the needle.
Not so with digital, digits jumping ....
Plus digital don't last. Ask first gen Prius owners.

Anyway enough said.

Comparing the 2 is a little odd, but understandable. Both fall under the same category, so I see why you would. This being said, they aim at different demographs. The Subi is still trying to hit up the late 20's-30's while the Miata is aiming at late 30's-60's. Yes, demograph is way more vast. Before anyone starts crucifying me about how they're 19 or 20 and own a Miata, you're probably the 1%-.5% that actually care about driving. Remember, they have to cater to their markets. Stats show the vast majority of Miata owners are in their golden years and retired. You only have to look at the local Miata club to confirm my statement. :-)
The Subi on the other hand are driven by "hooligans". The up and coming Fathers or "go-getters" that "need" a sports car to make them feel better or show off. So it's no surprise that this review falls in the hands of the Subi.
Now, if it was actually done proper and you do take the platforms to the extreme they were designed for, I'm pretty sure the vast majority of us "drivers" will pick the Miata. By simply changing out the shocks/springs and rollbars of the Miata, you'll get a vastly better handling vehicle than the Subi. The Subi you can't do too much more to it since it's already topping off at its limits. Why? Because their suspension architecture is different. Can't compare a Macpherson strut layout to a Double Wishbone suspension. There are limits.
So yes, for the common person, this comparsion will go towards the Subi. For the rest of us 1%-.5%, the Miata is the one you want. :-)

Quality video, thank you! (:

The Miata is what you want to drive on a back road with the top down. Opening the windows in the BRZ isn’t the same. I had so many great days driving around with the top down, it’s not all about performance (although the Miata is no slouch).

What some great cars. Love this rwd, manual sports car comparison. Great job on this Scott! I prefer the more oversteer handling of the GR86 over the BRZ. Miata is the perfect road car if you can fit in it. I prefer the sound of the Miata engine and its more rev happy nature. I would go Miata here over the BRZ

If I park a Miata in front of my office people will just think I’m having a mid-life crisis. If I park a BRZ in front of my office people will think I’m having a mental breakdown and am regressing back to being a child.

I have owned my BRZ, same as tested WR Blue, S, manual,
since October.
Absolutely love it.
Hardtop, more room, especially as a 2 seater and easily
better looking than the ragtop or hardtop Mazda IMO.
I read tests saying how noisy they were but to be
honest, I don't find this to be the case.
As for the missing safety gear?
No problem, the manual has more than enough without being a "Nanny" car, thanks.

The Subaru couldn't hold a candle to the MX-5's superb exterior design, reliability, and fuel economy.

it’s great to have a “pick”at the end of the video, but I think the grand take-away here is : we are awfully fortunate to have these cars available right now !!

For how much longer ? who knows .

You all : please get out there and buy these cars!

Seems a bit silly to compare 2 inexpensive manual rear wheel drive enthusiast cars, and then give the nod based on storage and space. I guess a Ford Expedition would top both of these.

Mx5 all day every day, even when I got a million € to spend,

The Targa Top MX-5 should be a more comparable to the BRZ than the Soft-top.
But the base Targa Top would set you back at almost $50K.
The BRZ is a much better value if you want a Coupe.
Otherwise, the Soft-top MX-5 is the one if you just want a convertible.

Me, an intellectual: S2000

Once Mazda release the new Miata I’d be leaning to Mazda again (hope they do fully touchscreen)

I own a 2022 MX-5, it's the GT trim in Australia which is the next level up. I agree with all the statements, but having an open top really makes up for the engine size the some of the practicality. If you need more space, (yawn) more storage (yawn) then the BRZ makes sense, but if you still like seat-of-the-pants old school driving, flicking through gears and corners with wind in the hair, and a smile on your face, the Mazda just has to win.

The original 86 looks far more aggressive. The GR 86 has been softened.

Every review mentions the autonomous braking. No enthusiast could care less. I don’t want all that nanny garbage.

The gr86/brz has dreadful throttle response and some rev hang (worse in the brz) This is a deal breaker for me. The ND throttle calibration is way more natural and linear and has instant response. The ND also shifts better.

Not even close, a covertible wins everytime along with Japanese made quality.

Mazda wins

Hats off to your DP. That opening shot looked fantastic. It was like watching a film set!

Here in the Uk, the MX5 is also available with the delightful 1.5 L engine.
Less powerful than the 2 L, but when you consider the car weighs so little, it suits the whole ethos of lightweight open topped sports cars.

Its supposed to have a 7500rpm Redline, but the engine revs so freely and sweetly, you could forget its got a limiter on it at all.

When i purchased my Sep 2001 Sports Venture Edition, i didn't even consider the 2 L engine, what's the point. Im not after outright performance.

A true British sports car, from the 1970s and early 80s, always had a small capacity, naturally aspirated engine.
The likes of the MG Midget, and Triumph Spitfire, spring to mind.

Small capacity, underpowered engines, connected to a car that weighs so little. A recipe for ultimate driving thrills.

The 1500cc engine is a delight, its all you really need in a car that weighs as little as the current MX5

If your after more power, then maybe the MD is not the car for you.

Well one is actually a convertible/targa so not really the same comparison here since that is a major feature that the MX-5 have that the 86 cannot no matter what. Also, that flat 4 is a dinosaur and gets like 20mpg or something stupid whereas the Mazda gets like 38mpg.

BRZ looks really good, would interesting in a drop top

i’ve driven both, the gr86 feels more like a sports car and it corners better than a miata. The miata is setup to be more of a GT car with softer suspension and more body roll, although that does make it more “fun”.

A BRZ should have a downsize 1.6 with turbo from Levorg and pistol steering wheel with artificial-horizon electronic instrument display from Vortex; the next MX5 will come with a pop-up lamps from Vision Study and a supercharged 2.0 SkyactivX.

tough to enjoy the content with his on screen presence or lack of

Wow, what perfect timing to have this video come up while I'm trying to decide between these two

The BRZ is not available in Europe, but the GR86 which is pretty much the same vehicle is available here. However, the GR86 is sadly not available in all European countries; for example, it’s not sold in Romania.

The MX-5 is available in more European countries, and that includes Romania.

I would ta take the Subaru as you can't go past a Japanese, rear wheel drive, 4 cylinder coupe.

For me Mazda wins (just for it's manual shifter)

BRZ looks much more solid, design wise.