- mazda dropped the automatic transmission from two of the miata's trim levels for the 2022 model year.
- the six-speed automatic is now only available on the top grand touring model.
- the miata is powered by a 181-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and pricing starts at $28,315.
mazda is showing that it's on the enthusiast's side by dropping the automatic transmission from two of the mx-5 miata's three trim levels for the 2022 model year. this is a big deal because it's usually the other way around with new performance cars; the chevy corvette, for instance, recently dropped the manual gearbox altogether. mazda continues to #savethemanuals, and we appreciate it.
previously available on all trims, the six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is now only available on the top-of-the-line grand touring model, which gets dark silver 17-inch wheels and newly available terracotta leather seats. the sport and club models can only be equipped with the six-speed manual, which is the way you should buy a miata anyway. and the club model can be equipped with a brembo bbs recaro package that adds brembo brakes, 17-inch forged bbs wheels, and heated recaro seats for $4,500.
mazda gave the miata a revised 2.0-liter inline-four engine for 2019 that gave it 181 horsepower and helped the manual-equipped car zip to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds in our testing. in that test of the new car in 2019, we said that the six-speed manual, which was also tweaked for that model year, moved "through the h-pattern with a bit more finesse than before."
available at dealerships in the coming months, the 2022 mx-5 miata starts at $28,315 for the sport and $31,815 for the club, and we suggest you buy one of those models.