The 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Club is all about a lightweight, driver-oriented roadster that combines just the right amount of style and speed. It is a compact two-seat coupe that certainly gives that proper sports car feel while efficiently packing in most of the speed and responsiveness.
This is a car above all for driving enthusiasts, for whom everyday driveability has to be matched against weighty handling responses, sharp steering, and a riotiously revving engine. The rear-wheel drive and manual gearbox should facilitate even more chuckable fun every time you head to the driver’s seat.
Nothing Less than a Dull Headache when Dynamic
The Miata RF Club uses a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine with direct fuel injection that pumps 181 hp at 7000 rpm and 151 lb-ft at 4000 rpm. Adding to the driving pleasure, it is coupled to an engagingly smooth 6-speed manual transmission.
The 0-to-60-mph run is done and over with in 5.5 seconds, covering the quarter-mile in 14.3 seconds at 96 mph. Super light at 2454 pounds, with a responsive throttle, it feels alive on straights and exuberant on twisties.
Maximum speed is pegged at 139 mph, with rolling acceleration from 5-to-60 mph claiming 6.2 seconds. It wins out on the open stretch with respect to 30-50 and 50-70 mph in top gear each clocking a bit over 9 seconds. It holds on pretty well on corners too, boasting a strong 0.90 g on the skidpad.
Chassis, Handling, and Safety Grip the Road
With a frontal control arm design and a multilink rear suspension design, the MX-5 Miata RF Club was developed with agility in mind. The braking system consists of 11-inch vented discs in the front and 11-inch discs in the rear, allowing the car to stop in a hurry. From 70 mph to 0 it took 176 ft, and from 100 mph to 0 it took 362 ft. Fitted with Bridgestone Potenza S001 tires (205/45R-17), the handling is well-balanced on both wet and dry surfaces.
With a 90.9-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 154.1 inches, this is small but definitely punchy. Standing at 49 inches in height and 68.3 inches in width, these dimensions add to its planted road presence. Though the interior volume is cramped at 48 cubic feet, this is just about enough to qualify as a real roadster.
Compact Yet Efficient with Impressive Range
Separate from its sprightly performance, the Miata also has a reputation for being relatively fuel-efficient. Those reports indicate an observed 29 mpg on mixed driving conditions, whereas it was a good 36 mpg at 75 mph on highway runs. So it gives a highway range of close to 420 miles, which makes it fair enough for a longer trip. The EPA rates it at 29 mpg combined, 26 mpg in the city, and 34 mpg on the highway.
The trunk measures 4 cubic feet, imposing a light packing requirement — but any two-seater primarily designed with driving enjoyment in mind rarely boasts generous packing volume.
Pricing and Variants
The 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Club has a base price of $41,395, and the tested model was priced at $41,845. Yes, that may be a bit steep for a small coupe, but what you are paying for is a pure analog driving machine in this digital world. Very real and true to its roots, it is not purposely complicated but rather a solid mix of good engineering and strong passion.