Mazda MX-5 ND RWD 2.0L Petrol G20 Manual Roadster GT RS (2015-2026)

Perfect selection of factory upgrades but not entirely necessary for everyone – It’s Mazda’s slightly more aggressive MX-5 offering here in Australia. The MX-5 GT RS is essentially a handling package that’ll cost you around $10,000 more than a standard MX-5. So all I have to do in this review is decide for you if it’s worth it, or simply a factory upgrade you could do without. The most affordable MX-5 starts pricing at $37,990 before on-road costs. Where this GT RS model of the MX-5 range is priced from $47,620 before on-roads.

You don’t get any engine or power upgrades. Instead, you get extra goodies like heated leather seats, BBS wheels, Bilstein dampers, front Brembo brakes, extra bracing around the front suspension struts, and body colour matched interior trim.

The MX-5 is covered by a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and has capped pricing for its first 5 services.

Service intervals are every 10,000km or 12 months (whichever comes first), and totals $1817 over this period. Below is a breakdown of these service intervals and corresponding costs.

There’s no additional sound generated from this more aggressive MX-5 sadly. So you’ll need to opt for the aftermarket if you want a little more sound from this motor.

You do get BOSE speakers which are absolutely worth the upgrade, especially since they throw in some speakers into the headrests which make open-top phone calls a lot easier.

There wasn’t much issue with the standard MX-5 and it’s braking set-up thanks to it weighing barely 1000kg.

Throw on some larger front Brembo brakes, and you can delay you braking into corners since these bite a lot harder than the standard set. That translates to faster lap times compared to your friends who skimped on getting a GT RS.

There’s also front AEB just in case you’re busy looking in the reflection of a shop front to see how cool your MX-5 GT RS looks while you drive past.

Power outputs remain the same thanks to no power upgrades being made to the GT RS. That means you get the same 135kW and 205Nm produced by the 2.0L naturally aspirated four cylinder motor.

It’s a brilliant thing, and a lot smoother to run up the rev range than the flat-four motors found in the GR86/BRZ.

Outside of the Toyota GR Yaris, this is the best 6-speed manual I’ve driven this year.

The slick transition between gears was intoxicating, and clutch control came so naturally. Compared to other manuals I’ve driven, the 6-speed in here made the MX-5. I can’t imagine how the automatic would even be considered with a transmission so great.

The GT RS is able to send it through corners with more composure and less playfulness than the standard MX-5.

Those Bilstein dampers don’t ruin the ride for daily driving, but they absolutely allow you to exploit more of that power when pulling G-forces through tight corners.

Additionally that front strut bracing keeps the front of the GT RS flatter for longer, which helps convince the little roadster to stay composed and keep it’s rear in check. Where the standard MX-5 might become a little side-ways happy, the GT RS will feel like a surgical scalpel through that same corner.

This is a tiny car by modern standards. The interior is great for those who are 6’2” and smaller. You have one of the best driving positions at your disposal, made easier to adjust to your body thanks to the inclusion of a telescopically adjustable steering wheel.

That stiffened handling setup doesn’t do much to ruin the ride here. Although the standard MX-5 will be ever so slightly more comfortable if that’s what you’re after.

These upgrades aren’t too cheap on the aftermarket, so you might end up only saving a small amount of money if you did these upgrades yourself on a base MX-5. And you should, if you don’t want the additional creature comforts you get on this higher specced MX-5.

It’s a great base to add power on if you want to, but what it really is, is one of the best ways to exploit the power and handling of the ND Miata. It’s an absolute treat to drive, and will make you fall back in love with the art of driving. You won’t win a drag race, but with the GT RS you’ll be able to keep up with hot hatches with a lot more horsepower too.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.