Mazda MX-5 GT RS ties for fourth in MOTOR’s Sports Car of the Year 2022

A firmer, fitter version of Mazda’s classically-charged roadster - the MX-5 GT RS - ties with Hyundai N Division’s latest star athlete – the i30 Sedan N – for fourth place in MOTOR’s Sports Car of the Year 2022

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If you’re a performance driver who decries the modern trend of 20-way damper adjustments and literally hundreds of possible drive mode combinations, the Mazda MX-5 GT RS is your antidote.

There are no adaptive dampers, no modes, just hop in, hit the starter button, engage first gear and go. Outside of Colin Chapman’s hallowed brand, few cars are as relentlessly ‘for the driver’ as Mazda’s affable roadster, especially in this more-focused GT RS guise.The golden ingredients are there: Brembo brakes, LSD, Bilstein dampers and Bridgestone Potenza S001 rubber.

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From the layout, weight and tactility of every interaction you make, you get the sense that every part of the car is a deeply considered decision geared towards delivering maximum driver enjoyment. The GT RS delivers those thrills with clarity and engagement whether you’re travelling at 60km/h on the road or 160km/h through Hayshed at Phillip Island.

The 2.0-litre inline-four is wonderfully linear, and feels well matched to the playful and benign chassis, but lacks the verve and aural satisfaction of some of its more exotic competitors. The powertrain “does nothing wrong, but does nothing extraordinary either” says Bernie Quinn. “The steering is light and linear but doesn’t give the driver confidence in the front-end grip,” he adds.

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The MX-5 magic centres on the tangible moments of managing the subtleties of pitch and roll, while making the most of the power at your disposal; delivering these dynamic sensations with clarity that would otherwise be lost, or simply pass by imperceptibly in many of the faster cars. As a result, it’s hugely engaging, Bernie’s grumbles notwithstanding. Luffy agrees, calling it “proof you don’t need a Nürburgring-tuned chassis, massive power or a specifically developed tyre”.

With the upgraded rolling stock, suspension and brakes, the GT RS better contains its movements, but the communicative character remains along with a greater ability for speed. The shift action is a particular high point for the judges, regarded by many as best-in-field, and you only need to plant yourself in the ultra-low seating position with outstretched pedals to know you’re in for an experience.

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One caveat, however, is that the MX-5 is not one size fits all; illustrated by Enright feebly attempting to close the roof over his helmet-clad head, before fruitlessly flinging it back in frustration and heading out on track.

Even if you’re a multimillion-dollar supercar collector, we implore you to buy an MX-5. You won’t drive a Huracán or GT3 in anger every weekend, but you can thrash the heck out of an MX-5 for every Sunday of the year. It will relish doing so, and you will, too.

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“Crisp, delightful, lovely thing” exclaims Enright. “If I was to nominate a car here that most spoke to the simple joy of driving, this would be it. Lamborghinis, Porsches, everything: have a look at the Mazda MX-5”.

The judges’ comments

Alex Affat

“The MX-5 doesn’t lose its purity with the GT RS upgrades. You’re not losing any of the friendliness”

Ranking: 4th

Andy Enright

“GT RS adds more handling finesse and I love the Brembo brakes. I wish the engine was more musical”

Ranking: 6th

Trent Giunco

“You can still work with the body movement to get the best from it. You’re having a ball at 70km/h on road”

Ranking: 4th

Cameron Kirby

“This is everything we love about driving. Body roll isn’t the evil that many chassis engineers believe”

Ranking: 4th

Bernie Quinn

“In the end it’s a fun car with no real vices, but there’s nothing that makes me want to go back for more”

Ranking: 7th

Luffy’s view

“It doesn’t matter that it’s not the fastest car out there. The MX-5 is pure driving and great fun!”

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Key figures