Compare the2023 Mazda MX-5 MiataVS 2022 Ford Mustang

Both the MX-5 Miata and the Mustang have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the MX-5 Miata’s reliability 89 points higher than the Mustang.

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 Ford 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, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 22nd.

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

The MX-5 Miata stops shorter than the Mustang:

The MX-5 Miata Sport’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mustang’s standard 55 series tires.

The MX-5 Miata’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the Mustang’s (54.6% to 45.4%). This gives the MX-5 Miata more stable handling and braking.

The MX-5 Miata Club handles at .97 G’s, while the Mustang GT Premium Convertible pulls only .96 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the MX-5 Miata’s turning circle is 5.7 feet tighter than the Mustang’s (30.8 feet vs. 36.5 feet). The MX-5 Miata’s turning circle is 9.2 feet tighter than the Mustang w/20” tires’ (30.8 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Mazda MX-5 Miata may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1150 to 1450 pounds less than the Ford Mustang.

The MX-5 Miata is 2 feet, 10.4 inches shorter than the Mustang, making the MX-5 Miata easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The MX-5 Miata is 7.1 inches narrower than the Mustang, making the MX-5 Miata easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

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

The MX-5 Miata’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Ford does not offer a locking feature on the Mustang’s standard power windows.

The MX-5 Miata has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Mustang doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the MX-5 Miata Grand Touring has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Mustang doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 Mustang has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the MX-5 Miata is less expensive to operate than the Mustang because typical repairs cost much less on the MX-5 Miata than the Mustang, including $310 less for a muffler, $20 less for front brake pads and $355 less for a timing belt/chain.

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 Mustang has never been an “All Star.”