Compare the2024 Mazda MX-5 MiataVS 2024 Chevrolet Corvette

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 Corvette 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 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 Corvette’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 Corvette.

Both the MX-5 Miata and the Corvette 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The MX-5 Miata’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Corvette’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 Corvette.

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 30 points higher than the Corvette.

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.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda MX-5 Miata uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Corvette requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The MX-5 Miata stops shorter than the Corvette:

The MX-5 Miata’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the Corvette’s (40% to 60%). This gives the MX-5 Miata more stable handling and braking.

The MX-5 Miata Club handles at .97 G’s, while the Corvette 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 5.6 feet tighter than the Corvette with Magnetic Ride Control’s (30.8 feet vs. 36.4 feet). The MX-5 Miata’s turning circle is 7.3 feet tighter than the Corvette’s (30.8 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Mazda MX-5 Miata may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1350 pounds less than the Chevrolet Corvette.

The MX-5 Miata is 2 feet, 4.2 inches shorter than the Corvette, making the MX-5 Miata easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The MX-5 Miata is 9.6 inches narrower on average than the Corvette, making the MX-5 Miata easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the MX-5 Miata Club is quieter than the Corvette Z06 Convertible:

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the MX-5 Miata easier. The MX-5 Miata’s trunk lift-over height is 32 inches, while the Corvette’s liftover is 38.7 inches.

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

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

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 Corvette 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 Corvette 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 $205 to $2790 less than the Corvette over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the MX-5 Miata is less expensive to operate than the Corvette because it costs $418 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the MX-5 Miata than the Corvette, including $40 less for a water pump, $787 less for a muffler, $165 less for front brake pads, $11 less for a starter, $292 less for fuel injection, $179 less for a fuel pump and $845 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 $26093 to $58884 less than for the Chevrolet Corvette.

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