Compare the2023 Mazda MX-5 MiataVS 2023 Subaru BRZ

The MX-5 Miata has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the BRZ Limited offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the MX-5 Miata has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the BRZ Limited has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the MX-5 Miata and the BRZ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. With 11 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Subaru.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in overall reliability. Subaru is ranked 8th.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda MX-5 Miata is faster than the Subaru BRZ (manual transmissions tested):

On the EPA test cycle the MX-5 Miata gets better mileage than the BRZ:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda MX-5 Miata uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The BRZ requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The MX-5 Miata stops shorter than the BRZ:

The MX-5 Miata has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The BRZ’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The MX-5 Miata’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the BRZ’s (55.5% to 44.5%). This gives the MX-5 Miata more stable handling and braking.

The MX-5 Miata Club handles at .97 G’s, while the BRZ pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the MX-5 Miata’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the BRZ’s (30.8 feet vs. 35.4 feet).

The Mazda MX-5 Miata may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 450 pounds less than the Subaru BRZ.

The MX-5 Miata is 1 foot, 1.8 inches shorter than the BRZ, making the MX-5 Miata easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The MX-5 Miata's optional power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The BRZ doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

A standard locking center console (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the MX-5 Miata. The BRZ doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The MX-5 Miata Grand Touring’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The BRZ’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The MX-5 Miata Grand Touring’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The BRZ offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The MX-5 Miata’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The BRZ’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda MX-5 Miata, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The MX-5 Miata was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 8 of the last 28 years. The BRZ has never been an “All Star.”

The Mazda MX-5 Miata outsold the Subaru BRZ by 37% during the 2022 model year.