104 By the Dart • Motoring MAZDA MX-5 SE-L Nav


IN ADDITION TO USING TEST CARS FOR DAILY DOMESTIC DRIVING, I ALSO USE A CIRCULAR ROUTE OF AROUND 80 MILES OF MIXED ROADS WHICH I USE TO HELP ASSESS CARS. RECENTLY, SOMETHING VERY STRANGE HAPPENED. WHEN I GOT BACK TO BASE, I DROVE THE WHOLE ROUTE AGAIN - JUST FOR PURE PLEASURE OF DRIVING THE LATEST MAZDA MX-5. While you can’t say a lot about the


space, comfort and practicality of a two-seater sports car, you can say a lot about its driving dynamics. And in the case of the MX-5, they are just brilliant. The steering is pin-sharp, the gearshift


slick, the chassis balance and suspension set-up keep the car glued to the tarmac and the exhaust soundtrack is glorious. Priced from £18,310,the MX-5 is a


bargain in its sector. OK, there are rival models that are faster, with more kit and often nearly twice the price - but they are less engaging to drive and far less fun. My test model used the 1.5 litre 128


CORNERING IS A


hp engine (there is a two- litre with more mid-range power) and it was smooth and keen with its power delivery and 60 mph is reached is a whisker over 8 seconds. That’s nowhere near Porsche performance but such is the charisma and agility of the MX-5, it often feels like it! Top speed is 127 mph and fuel economy is 47.1 mpg combined. Cornering is a joyous experience, the grip astonishly


good. Ride quality is not that high on the sports car buyer’s priority list but even so, this sporty little Mazda offers decent comfort without sacrificing its poise and stability. Two-seater soft tops are all about the driving and


rightly so. Flip the hood down (it’s manual, just one quick-release lever) throw a couple of holdalls in the


JOYOUS EXPERIENCE,


THE GRIP ASTONISHLY GOOD.


boot (at just 130 litres, not room for much more) and get on your way with the wind in your hair. The test model was in se-L Nav trim, costing £20,195 and creature comforts included 7-inch touchsreen, sat-nav, Bluetooth, DAB radio, cruise control with speed limiter, climate control and alloys wheels. Cabin space is comfortable for two adults, the dashboard is laid out well with main dials straight in front of the driver and a lot of buttons on the steering wheels. Odd-


ments space is minimal and there is no glovebox. Launched more than 25 years ago, the MX-5 has


become a modern classic, an iconic design. Almost one million have been sold and in Europe, the UK is its most popular market. This latest version, 100kg lighter than its predecessor and with a svelte and slightly more aggressive new look, in my view, offers near-perfect sports car driving, really connecting you to the road and making you feel an integral part of the car. There is no direct competitor in this class at this price and certainly nothing offering so much fun. This is a car you can use every day – and will want to.


VOLKSWAGEN Up!


THE VOLKSWAGEN UP! IS THE COMPANY’S SMALLEST MODEL, A WELL-BUILT AND QUITE CLASSY CITY CAR COMPETING IN A CROWDED SECTOR OF THE MARKET. Two of the rivals are the Skoda Citigo and the SEAT


Mii – also from the VW stable – and others include Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1, Hyundai i10 and even the Fiat 500. The up! - from £8,995 - may be small but you get the same immediate impression of top-drawer build-qual-


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