Compare the2024 Mazda MX-5 MiataVS 2024 Chevrolet Camaro

The MX-5 Miata has standard Smart City Brake Support, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Camaro offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

The MX-5 Miata has standard Secondary Collision Reduction, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Camaro doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The MX-5 Miata’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Camaro doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The MX-5 Miata has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Camaro’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the MX-5 Miata has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Camaro and its not available on the LT1.

Both the MX-5 Miata and the Camaro 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.

The MX-5 Miata’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Camaro’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the MX-5 Miata has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Camaro.

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 43 points higher than the Camaro.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 13 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mazda MX-5 Miata is faster than the Chevrolet Camaro V6 (manual transmissions tested):

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

The MX-5 Miata has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Camaro. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The MX-5 Miata stops much shorter than the Camaro:

For better maneuverability, the MX-5 Miata’s turning circle is 7.3 feet tighter than the Camaro’s (30.8 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The MX-5 Miata’s turning circle is 7.6 feet tighter than the Camaro ZL1’s (30.8 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Mazda MX-5 Miata may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1650 pounds less than the Chevrolet Camaro.

The MX-5 Miata is 2 feet, 10.2 inches shorter than the Camaro, making the MX-5 Miata easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The MX-5 Miata is 6.6 inches narrower on average than the Camaro, making the MX-5 Miata easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

For excellent aerodynamics, the MX-5 Miata has standard flush composite headlights. The Camaro has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

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

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the MX-5 Miata Club is quieter than the Camaro SS Convertible (47 vs. 48 dB).

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

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 Camaro’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The MX-5 Miata’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Camaro’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen. The MX-5 Miata’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Camaro’s optional xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

Consumer Reports rated the MX-5 Miata’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Camaro’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the MX-5 Miata Grand Touring detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Camaro doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

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 Camaro doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Automatic has a standard Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Camaro doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Insurance will cost less for the MX-5 Miata owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the MX-5 Miata will cost $520 to $13820 less than the Camaro over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the MX-5 Miata is less expensive to operate than the Camaro because it costs $391 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the MX-5 Miata than the Camaro, including $178 less for a water pump, $263 less for a muffler, $126 less for front brake pads, $148 less for fuel injection, $154 less for a fuel pump and $229 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda MX-5 Miata will be $3762 to $45037 less than for the Chevrolet Camaro.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda MX-5 Miata, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chevrolet Camaro isn't recommended.