Here’s what they said back in 1990, just after the 1989 launch of the much-loved Mazda MX-5 …
The Mazda MX-5’s 1989 awards (left to right): Modern Motor’s “Best Car”, Wheels magazine’s “Car of the Year” and Car Australia’s “Car of Australia”
Mazda celebrated the prestigious Wheels 1989 COTY award with unique number plates …
Never before has a sports car won any of the awards offered by Australia’s three major motoring magazines. It was, therefore, unprecedented that Mazda’s new MX-5 sports car should have won any, let alone all three.
The oldest award is presented by Wheels magazine which, on three out of the award’s 26-year history, has declined to nominate a “Car of the Year”, so demanding are the criteria.
The MX-5 was judged by nine critics — including journalist staff members, race drivers and a former automotive industry engineer — and it won six of their primary votes to become “Car of the Year”.
Car Australia gave the sexy two-seater the nod after staff members compared the vehicle with a shortlist of other vehicles released on the Australian market during 1989. There was little doubt as to which vehicle best fulfilled this magazine’s criteria — the MX-5 — and so it became “Car of Australia 1989”. It also won the “Best Sports Car” category.
Modern Motor has given the judgement of “Best Car” of any of the last 10 years to Australia’s motoring press corps which numbers in excess of 40 full-time writers. Journalists are given 20 points to allocate to the year’s offerings, with no one vehicle to receive more than 10.
By the largest margin ever in the 10-year history of this award, the MX-5 became the “Best Car of 1989/90”, thus completing the “trifecta”. Again it won the “Best Sports Car” category with this magazine.
Numerous awards have been given to the sports car overseas — the USA’s Road and Track described it as one of the best five cars in the world; Time said it is “one of the best designs of the decade”; Automobile gave it “Automobile of the Year”. More are expected following launches in Britain and Europe this year.
Why has the MX-5 been so heralded?
According to the critics, the car combines classic sports car characteristics (suspension, steering, styling) with modern technology (twist-free body, roof easy to raise and lower) so well that it is worthy of these awards.
They note the sheer pleasure of driving, the sporty exhaust sound and the absence of distracting gadgetry.
The MX-5 ushered back a golden era that has been absent for more than 20 years. And the critics loved it!
— this article appeared in “Mazda Life” (published by Mazda Australia) — Autumn 1990 edition
Many awards given, and “more are expected” … and more came!
The following are just some of the awards achieved around the world after 1989 launch:
- Car of The Year (Wheels)
- Best Car (Modern Motor)
- Car of Australia (Car Australia)
- Australia’s Best Handling Car (Wheels)
- Best Sports Car (Car Australia)
- Best Sports Car (Modern Motor)
- One of World’s Five Best Cars (Road & Track, USA)
- One of the Ten Best Cars (Car & Driver)
- Best Handling Car Money Can Buy (Autocar & Motor)
- One of Top 10 Cars (Motor Trend)
- Automobile of the Year (Automobile, USA)
- Best Sports Car (Autocar & Motor)
- Best Product Design (Business Week)
- Best Design of the Decade (Time Magazine, USA)
And the tradition of excellence continues ..
In 2005 the new NC model won the prestigious Wheels Magazine “Car of the Year” award. Click here to read why …
In 2016 the new ND model won the marque’s third Wheels Magazine “Car of the Year” award, make it three out of four for the Mazda MX-5. Click here to ready why …
In 2016 the fourth-generation ND also took out the unprecedented double of the World Car of the Year award and the World Car Design of the Year award. Read more …
Mazda MX-5s come in 4 basic series:
Click on an image to go to that page to find out more and review the Tech Talk articles.
Each model is then broken up into sub models plus special and limited editions.
If you have a specific MX-5 mechanical question, we recommend you talk with a Mazda dealer or check the mx5cartalk forum, which has a host of technical information on it. You can also post a question on the forum, which is visited by the most ardent MX-5 enthusiasts in the country and is bound to get you the information you need.
There is also a wealth of technical information in the “Garage” section of the “Miata.net” website.
Otherwise, you are welcome to contact us (via this link) and we will do our best to get you an answer. Remember, though, that we’re all volunteers, so it might take a little time. And while some of our people know a great deal about the MX-5, we make no warranties or representations about any of the information provided.
Disclaimer: The Mazda MX-5 Club of Victoria & Tasmania Inc., its Officers and Committee cannot be held liable for any errors and/or omissions in articles, reports, notices, advertisements, comment and advice of events that are published in mxtra in good faith. It should be noted that the publication of an advertisement, or expression of views in articles and reports, does not necessarily imply endorsement by the Club of the advertised product or service or the views expressed in any articles or reports published in mxtra. The Mazda MX-5 Club of Victoria & Tasmania Inc. has not tested the products, equipment or services mentioned in the articles and makes no warranties or representations about any of the products or their purported uses. All “Tech Talk” information is provided as a guide only; all work is carried out at the owner’s risk.
