Northern New Mexico has some of the best driving roads in the Southwest: the Turquoise Trail south through Madrid, the High Road to Taos through Chimayo and Truchas, and the switchbacks up toward Ski Santa Fe. The MX-5 Miata was made for roads like these. At Santa Fe Mazda, 2704 Cerrillos Road, you can compare both versions of Mazda’s two-seat roadster: the classic soft-top MX-5 Miata and the MX-5 Miata RF with its power-retractable hardtop.
Browse the sports car inventory above, then use the comparison, specs and tips below to choose the roof, trim and transmission that suit how you like to drive.
Both versions share the engine, the two seats and the rear-wheel-drive layout. The roof is the main difference, along with the trims each is offered in. Select a model name to see that model’s inventory.
| Model | Body / Roof | Seats and Capability | Best For | Shop Inventory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-5 Miata | Two-seat roadster, manual cloth top | 2 seats, 181 hp, about 2,366 lbs (manual), Sport, Club and Grand Touring trims | The lightest, most open driving experience | Shop Mazda MX-5 Miata |
| MX-5 Miata RF | Two-seat fastback, power-retractable hardtop | 2 seats, 181 hp, Club and Grand Touring trims | A quieter cabin with open-air flexibility year-round | Shop Mazda MX-5 Miata RF |
| Spec | MX-5 Miata (Soft Top) | MX-5 Miata RF |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L Skyactiv-G 4-cylinder | 2.0L Skyactiv-G 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower / Torque | 181 hp / 151 lb-ft | 181 hp / 151 lb-ft |
| Transmissions | 6-speed manual standard; 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters available on Grand Touring | 6-speed manual standard; 6-speed automatic available on Grand Touring |
| Fuel Economy (EPA est.) | 29 mpg combined (26 city / 34 hwy manual) | 29 mpg combined |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive; asymmetric limited-slip differential on manual models | Rear-wheel drive; asymmetric limited-slip differential on manual models |
| Roof | Manually operated cloth top | Power-retractable hardtop with fastback styling |
The soft top is the MX-5 at its most basic and most fun. The cloth roof folds by hand in seconds from the driver’s seat, the car weighs about 2,366 lbs with the manual, and the 181-hp 2.0L revs eagerly through a short-throw 6-speed. The Sport covers the essentials, the Club adds Bilstein dampers, a shock-tower brace and a limited-slip differential, and the Grand Touring adds comfort features and an optional automatic.
RF stands for Retractable Fastback. A switch on the center console folds the hardtop away, leaving the rear buttresses in place for a targa-like look. With the roof up, the cabin is quieter on long I-25 drives and better sealed on cold mornings. The RF comes in Club and Grand Touring trims, and the RF Club includes the Brembo/BBS/Recaro package as standard.
Need more seats? Compare the sporty Mazda3 sedan and hatchback, the Mazda SUV and crossover lineup or our hybrid and plug-in hybrid Mazdas.
Choosing between soft top and RF, or manual and automatic, is easiest from behind the wheel. As the only Mazda dealership in Santa Fe, we can line up both versions for a test drive right here on Cerrillos Road. Check current new Mazda specials, explore financing and lease options, and get an offer on your current vehicle through the KBB Instant Cash Offer.
After the sale, technicians who work on Mazdas every day keep your roadster sharp. Schedule service online, or order genuine Mazda parts and accessories. Prefer a Miata with some miles on it? Browse our pre-owned inventory.
The soft top has a manually folding cloth roof, while the RF has a power-retractable hardtop with fastback styling. Both use the same 181-hp 2.0L engine. The soft top is lighter, and the RF is quieter with the roof up.
Driving enjoyment is the whole point of the MX-5 Miata: it is light, rear-wheel drive, and comes standard with a short-throw 6-speed manual. A test drive on the Turquoise Trail or the High Road to Taos shows why so many enthusiasts love it. If you need a back seat, the Mazda3 is the next best fit.
Both the soft top and the RF use a 2.0L Skyactiv-G four-cylinder rated at 181 hp and 151 lb-ft. Because the car is so light, that output feels lively, though like any non-turbo engine it gives up some power at Santa Fe’s altitude.
Yes. A 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters is available on Grand Touring models of the soft top and the RF. The 6-speed manual is standard on every trim and is required for the limited-slip differential.
Many owners do, especially with a dedicated set of winter tires. As a light, rear-wheel-drive car with modest ground clearance, it is not built for deep snow or unplowed roads, so plan accordingly on storm days. Our tire center can recommend options that suit your driving.
The EPA estimates 29 mpg combined for both versions, with 26 city and 34 highway for the manual soft top. Actual mileage varies with driving habits and conditions.
The Club is the most performance-focused trim, with Bilstein dampers, a front shock-tower brace and an asymmetric limited-slip differential. On the RF Club, the Brembo/BBS/Recaro package comes standard; on the soft top it is available. Ask us which cars in stock have it.
Santa Fe Mazda proudly serves drivers from Santa Fe, Eldorado, Tesuque, Pojoaque, Nambe, Española, Chimayo, Los Alamos, White Rock, Glorieta, Lamy, Cerrillos, La Cienega, Peña Blanca, Edgewood, Bernalillo, Las Vegas, Taos, Albuquerque and across Northern New Mexico.
Compare the MX-5 Miata and MX-5 Miata RF with our team at 2704 Cerrillos Road.
2704 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87507
Sales: 505-372-0621
Service: 505-372-0446
Parts: 505-372-0117
