Compare the2025 Ford MustangVS 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Mustang are reminded to check the back seat. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Ford Mustang has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Mustang and MX-5 Miata have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Mustang has Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The MX-5 Miata’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The Mustang’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Mustang and the MX-5 Miata 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.

The Ford Mustang weighs 1083 to 1660 pounds more than the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

Warranty

There are over 5 times as many Ford dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

Reliability

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

Engine

The Mustang EcoBoost’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 134 more horsepower (315 vs. 181) and 199 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 151) than the MX-5 Miata’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Mustang GT’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 299 more horsepower (480 vs. 181) and 264 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 151) than the MX-5 Miata’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Mustang GT’s optional 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 305 more horsepower (486 vs. 181) and 267 lbs.-ft. more torque (418 vs. 151) than the MX-5 Miata’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Mustang Dark Horse’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 319 more horsepower (500 vs. 181) and 267 lbs.-ft. more torque (418 vs. 151) than the MX-5 Miata’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

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

	Mustang GT	Mustang Dark Horse	MX-5 Miata
Zero to 60 MPH	4.2 sec	4.1 sec	5.7 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	9.5 sec	9.7 sec	16.1 sec
Quarter Mile	12.5 sec	12.5 sec	14.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	114 MPH	115 MPH	95 MPH
Top Speed	155 MPH	166 MPH	130 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Mustang (except Dark Horse)’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Mustang has 4.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the MX-5 Miata (16 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Mustang has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

The Ford Mustang comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the MX-5 Miata.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the MX-5 Miata.

A standard “hill holder” feature keeps the Ford Mustang with manual transmission from rolling backwards on a steep slope. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer a hill holder feature.

The Mustang Manual’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer launch control.

The Ford Mustang manual has a downshift rev synchronizer that automatically raises engine speed to make downshifts perfectly smooth. This keeps the car from lurching during downshifts, preventing loss of control during cornering. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer a downshift rev synchronizer.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Mustang’s brake rotors are larger than those on the MX-5 Miata:

	Mustang EcoBoost	Mustang Dark Horse	MX-5 Miata
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	15.4 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	14 inches	11 inches

The Mustang’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the MX-5 Miata are solid, not vented.

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

	Mustang	MX-5 Miata
100 to 0 MPH	178 feet	362 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	141 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	87 feet	116 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Mustang has larger standard tires than the MX-5 Miata (235/50R18 vs. 195/50R16). The Mustang Dark Horse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the MX-5 Miata (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. 205/45R17).

The Mustang Dark Horse’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the MX-5 Miata Club/Grand Touring’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the MX-5 Miata Sport. The Mustang’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the MX-5 Miata Club/Grand Touring.

The Ford Mustang’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mazda MX-5 Miata only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Mustang offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the MX-5 Miata; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Mustang offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The MX-5 Miata’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Mustang has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mustang’s wheelbase is 16.1 inches longer than on the MX-5 Miata (107 inches vs. 90.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 3.2 inches wider in the front and 5.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the MX-5 Miata.

The Mustang Convertible handles at .95 G’s, while the MX-5 Miata Grand Touring pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Mustang Convertible executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the MX-5 Miata Grand Touring (24.9 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

Chassis

The Mustang Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Mustang has standard seating for 4 passengers; the MX-5 Miata can only carry 2.

The Mustang Convertible has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room and 4.1 inches more front shoulder room than the MX-5 Miata.

Cargo Capacity

The Mustang Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the MX-5 Miata (11.4 vs. 4.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Mustang easier. The Mustang’s trunk lift-over height is 30.2 inches, while the MX-5 Miata’s liftover is 32 inches.

Towing

The Mustang has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The MX-5 Miata has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Mustang uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The MX-5 Miata uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Mustang, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mustang’s optional Easy Entry and Exit glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Mustang’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The MX-5 Miata does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Mustang’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The MX-5 Miata has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Mustang’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The MX-5 Miata’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

On a hot day the Mustang’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the MX-5 Miata can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Mustang’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The MX-5 Miata’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Mustang’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The MX-5 Miata Sport/Club’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Mustang has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The MX-5 Miata has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Grand Touring.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Mustang has standard extendable sun visors. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Mustang’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The MX-5 Miata’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Mustang Premium/Deluxe keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mustang Premium/Dark Horse’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Mustang’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

A built-in pollen filter removes pollen, exhaust fumes and other pollutants from the Mustang’s passenger compartment. This helps prevent lung and/or sinus irritation that can trigger allergies or asthma. The MX-5 Miata’s air conditioner doesn’t offer a filtration system.

Model Availability

The Ford Mustang comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Mazda MX-5 Miata isn’t available as a coupe.

Recommendations

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its October 2024 issue and they ranked the Ford Mustang Dark Horse higher than the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Club.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Mazda MX-5 Miata by over five to one during 2023.

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