Compare the2024 Mazda MX-5 MiataVS 2024 Ford Mustang

Both the MX-5 Miata and the Mustang 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

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 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 15 places higher in reliability than Ford.

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

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 Mustang. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 EcoBoost’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 (55% to 45%). 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 Convertible pulls only .95 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 7 feet tighter than the Mustang GT/Dark Horse’s (30.8 feet vs. 37.8 feet).

The Mazda MX-5 Miata may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1200 to 1550 pounds less than the Ford Mustang.

The MX-5 Miata is 2 feet, 11.3 inches shorter than the Mustang, making the MX-5 Miata easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The MX-5 Miata is 7.2 inches narrower on average 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.

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

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