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The legendary Mazda MX-5 has once again been crowned Convertible of the Year at the 2025 Auto Express New Car Awards, retaining the title for the second consecutive year. This latest recognition adds to the ever-growing list of accolades for Mazda’s iconic sports car, which continues to define pure, affordable driving pleasure.
Paul Barker, Editor of Auto Express, commented:
“A true legend of the automotive world and as appealing as ever in 2025, the Mazda MX-5 is peerless in its ability to provide lightweight fun and drop-top sunshine-soaked motoring without breaking the bank.”
He added:
“Some minor recent changes make it even more polished, and it deservedly retains the Convertible of the Year award it won in 2024.”
Since its debut in 1989, the MX-5 has embodied Mazda’s Jinba Ittai philosophy — the harmony between driver and machine. Across four generations and more than 1.2 million units produced globally, the MX-5 remains a beacon of lightweight, agile and engaging motoring. More than 135,000 MX-5s have found homes in the UK, making it one of the most beloved roadsters on British roads.
The 2025 Mazda MX-5 continues this legacy with a carefully refined eight-model line-up: four soft-top Roadster models and four retractable hardtop RF variants. Customers can choose from Prime-Line, Exclusive-Line, and Homura trim levels, each offering a distinct blend of style and performance.
Under the bonnet, Prime-Line models are powered by a 132ps 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G engine, while Exclusive-Line buyers can choose between that or the more powerful 184ps 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G engine. The range-topping Homura trim comes exclusively with the 184ps unit and adds performance-focused features for an even sharper drive.
As before, 2.0-litre models include a front strut brace, Bilstein dampers, and a limited-slip differential as standard. In 2024, Mazda introduced a new Asymmetric Limited Slip Differential – featuring a cam mechanism in the conical clutch. This system is engineered to enhance stability and control, especially during cornering, ensuring the purity of the MX-5’s legendary handling remains at its core.
The 2024 updates also included improvements to the accelerator response, steering feel, and reduced rack friction, offering even more fluid and intuitive control.
Inside, the MX-5 stays true to its minimalist, driver-centric ethos while benefiting from thoughtful upgrades. All models now feature a larger 8.8-inch multimedia touchscreen with clearer navigation, enhanced functionality via the updated MZ Connect system, and USB-C ports for modern connectivity.
Exclusive to the Homura grade are Recaro sports seats, trimmed in leather and Alcantara, enhancing comfort and support while maintaining the sporty, premium feel.
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system on Exclusive-Line and Homura models now features a track driving mode, designed to allow more driver freedom before intervention – perfect for those looking to explore the MX-5’s performance on closed circuits. The system can also be fully disabled for the purest driving experience.
Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director, Mazda Motors UK, said:
“When it comes to driver engagement, the current generation MX-5 has established itself as a benchmark sports car, and with the current Mazda MX-5 we continue to offer one of the most exciting and satisfying to drive cars money can buy, so it’s great the latest model has once again been recognised by Auto Express in their 2025 Awards.”
He added:
“The MX-5 is a sports car that has resonated with enthusiastic British drivers ever since its debut 35 years ago and remains true to the original principle of being an affordable, lightweight and above all fun-to-drive roadster, something that stands out even more in a marketplace where fewer and fewer true affordable driver’s cars are being launched.”
Whether you're a long-time enthusiast or discovering the MX-5 for the first time, there’s never been a better moment to explore what makes this sports car so iconic. Visit Western & Barnetts Mazda to test drive the 2025 Mazda MX-5 and experience the Convertible of the Year for yourself.
8 Westerton Road, East Mains Industrial Estate, Broxburn
West Lothian EH52 5AU
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