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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 2 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $22,898–$27,516 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a sports that earns a Carivo score of 7.9/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.8/10, while Technology at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability stands out at 8.7/10. The MX-5 Miata nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. Safety lands at 7.1/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.2/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sportss to actually drive. Technology scores 6.2/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $22,898–$27,516, 23 MPG, seating 2, the Mazda MX-5 Miata sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sports market. Its value score of 8.8/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on technology if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good sports should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata ranks #100 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 69% of the segment. Its 7.9/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $22,898 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $46,090 by about 50%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
Across the MX-5 Miata model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.3/10 | $29,854 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.3/10 | $28,985 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.2/10 | $28,115 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.2/10 | $27,245 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.1/10 | $26,376 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 8.0/10 | $25,506 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 8.1/10 | $24,637 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 8.0/10 | $23,767 | Read review → |
| 2017 (this review) | 7.9/10 | $22,898 | |
| 2016 | 7.9/10 | $22,028 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.9/10 | $21,159 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Mazda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.