2016 Mazda MX-5 vs Mini John Cooper Works - Inside Lane
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- Welcome to the Inside Lane "Car of the Year" semi-final which sees the 2016 Mazda MX-5 take on the 228BHP Mini John Cooper Works. This is all about how these cars make you feel, the best overall package will be the winner. Challenging roads for this test serve as the battle ground for 2016 Mazda MX 5 vs Mini John Cooper Works.
Can the latest incarnation of this iconic sports car take on a more powerful hot hatchback?
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I drove both, no contest the handling and sharpness of the mini is outstanding. I'm insulted that people prefer the Miata, it's unbelieveable. And no room in the Miata for a 6 footer. So much better the mini even with front wheel drive.
I own a 2008 Cooper S and a 2 liter MX5 ND. Both are great, very very different cars. No need for a comparison between the maybe best handling, most fun front wheel hatchback, and the roadster that makes SLKs and BMW Z4s feel like they are whales swimming in an estuary.
After all of the fun you had in the MINI, I'm surprised you picked the Mazda. Really. I'm on my 4th MINI, for the fun. Nice review, though, thanks!
As an owner of an MX-5 ND2 and a Cooper S Coupe, I'm just glad I don't have to make a choice between them. But if I did, the choice would be clear. Miata Is Always The Answer.
Trust me if you upload more contents , your channel will grow and become one of the best car channels .
+Mohammed Abdulla We usually do 3/4 videos a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
cannot believe you chose the Mazda instead of the Mini ... for me JCW all the way.
He owns a Mazda Miata.
On that day on those roads, it was the MX-5 that won out. Don't get me wrong, I love the JCW (JCW convertible review coming October) but I think on those roads weight played a bit part.
That literally had no baring on the result. Yes, I do own a MK1 MX-5 but I am also a journalist and I made a judgment impartially.
+Inside Lane there is nothing you can say that would make the Mazda a winner between the two.
You screwed up on this one and just cary on ...
+BlerixB Strang how every other professional motoring journalist agrees with me though...
Not surprised the MX5 won they're great cars for sure.
Personally I'm a Mini guy and own a F56 Cooper and love it. But compared to the MX5 in this video it looks massive!
I reckon for your only car/everyday driver the mini would be the better choice though, the quality, power and comfort would definitely be a plus. The MX5 would be a lot of fun though, especially with the addition of a turbo!
I think a lot of people will eventually turbo their cars.
had a little tussle with a mx5 on my way home from alton towers last week. Well there was a fiesta red edition, a mk1 leon cupra and a silvia. Safe to say we would all have the silvia but the MX5 was in out of its depth... was grasping to hold to the fiesta and even that has less power. What mazda has done is great i suppose but imagine going out buying a small two door sports car. with soft suspension, low power and no badge appeal to top it off. You would call a bit w*nk. but this is a miata. Much rather have a S2000 for a sports car but a mini in comparison
If the mini wasnt so unreliable then I would probably get it because it is the more practical car, but mazda wins because I wont be afraid of the extra mechanic bills. They both look great.
2014 and newer models actually score good reliability. Older Minis not so much.
I Han a mini cooper and now own an MX5 I loved the mini fantastic car but for me personally I am now an MX5 fan for life
MX5 leans too much in turns...
I was very surprised at which you picked. Yes the Miata looks more "sports" car, but the engine, HP and Torque of the Mini just blows away the Miata. The sound of the engine on the Mini definitely is a better sound also. I will agree, I stop driving my JCW aggressively in the rain or wet roads, but once they dry up away I go. The other item that is so important to me is stability and having a safe feeling when I drive down two and four lane highways at 80/85 miles per hour with SUVs and Trucks. Which would you rather be in a Miata convertable or a Mini JCW hatchback? No doubt the mini would be most peoples choices in my opinion. Lastly, the Mini wins again for an everyday drive. As someone has already mentioned, I would love to own both, really would, but when push came to shove I did chose the 2021 Mini JCW manual over the Miata. For a weekend outing in the countryside or track day the Miata would be a hard to resist particularly on a sunny Spring day. Pull it out of the garage drop the top and away you go, the Miata really looks like a fun car to own.
@6:32
OH DEAR SPAGHETTIMONSTER!!!! That godly sound of burble!
I drove both and the mini has so much better handling even if fwd, and the Miata cannot hold a 6foot male comfortably.
Don't understand why most or more people prefer the Miata, the handling is crisp and sharp on the mini and I've driven f12 and 911 turbo s
Don't get it at all, just me I guess I feel dumb to be on the minority of this one considering the mini is head and shoulders more roomy and much more fun, even if it's a bit slower.
Both vehicles are strinkly fun! However Mini is not as reliable as an mx5 over the long term. If I could keep both i would. They provide an excellent driving experience for those who look for the performance, fun factor.
I have an 06 r53 and an NB miata with all the suspension bits and bolt-ons sans forced induction. Mini DOES handle very well for a front driver, and the supercharger is a riot. Much, much faster when compared to the Miata, but torque steer. It rides like absolute dog shit. The gear box isn't nearly as snickity as the Miata. The flywheel is heavy on the mini, and a lighter flywheel that was snapped on the Miata with the clutch replacement was one of the best upgrades so far. Instant response.
Guess I just love em both.
I would really love a MINI S or JCW convertible. The resale value is so awful that I think I'd shop for something a year old or more. :) I own a 2003 MCS with middling mods that get it up around 190-200 BHP. :)
As soon as you said you own a MK1 MX5, I knew you'd choose the MX5 as the winner. I don't feel it was a very impartial report as you were always going to choose the MX5.
+Andy Ross Not the case at all. My vote went to the Mini in the run up to this video, but on this day on these roads the MX-5 was the most enjoyable. You forget that I am a motoring journalist and when it comes to my work such decisions have to be made impartially. Owning an MX-5 was merely a convent link for me to use to talk about the original car.
+Andy Ross MX-5 is 530 lbs lighter, RWD, 50:50 balance, LSD, convertible, mean looking and built solely for the joy of driving. The mini just doesn't have what it takes to win.
+Guy Haimovitch You've obviously never driven the latest JCW. It's an awesome car. It's not the fastest car on the road that's for sure, but I'd pick it over an MX5 any day
+Andy Ross Have you driven the latest MX-5?
+Andy Ross I own a 3rd gen MX-5 for the past 3 years and rented the previous mini JCW for 5 days while on vacation. Don't get me wrong, it is amazing fun, but it can't beat the MX-5 for all the reasons I listed above no matter what generation it is. Even as a convertible vs. convertible the MX-5 does it better because it was design from the ground up for this task. The mini after all is a family car with some spice and it is amazing that it is that fun to drive. With the MX-5 it would be amazing if it wasn't.
It's all about realities. I'd love a Mini JCW however where I live in Southern Italy, the roads are some of the worst in the developed world, bar none. Those giant wheels would be trashed in a day, so no way can I drive one here. The Mazda 1.5 comes on sixteens and the pliant suspension, cause of so many complaints, is perfect for these roads.
A no brainer.
You're silly.
Actually he has a point - that’s why I chose the adaptable suspension- I have comfort for city or sports mode for highways. Just a flick of the switch.
Also you can choose 17’s for the JCW for more comfort.
I love this car, I went & sat in one today it was the case of a fat peg in a small hole, my feet took up pretty much all the room in the foot well & the seat was right the way back, sod it I want a test drive
+Ian Townsend It is a great car!
+Inside Lane I agree, Owned one since the 26th of September in the SE-L nav trim (1.5). Oh my god is is it fun, even managed to fit a full size rolling suitcase in the boot!
+JoshDOTPlay I came so close to ordering an MX-5. It still might happen in the future, but I don't tend to drive my own car that much. You are going to have a lot of fun in your car.
+Insidxswwswee Lane
I owned and driven both cars I liked the mini Cooper better it was faster and it handles better than the miata it was more fun to drive than the miata mx5 but the mx5 was and is a much more reliable car. If only the miata mx5 Mazda had more power.
I heard it has less power in Europe. In America it is much more powerful, it can go 0-60 in about 5 seconds not 7 like he said in the video.
adam heeley false, it still a engine under 200hp, no way in hell you get under 6 seconds with a miata :/ the 7 second from the video is actualy acurate
Probably 0-60km not mph
mazda 25 years expereince ????? mini has being built since the sixties ??????
20695 pounds for the mx5?
Mazda no way mini easily better car goes so much better an funky looks
mazda will give u a feeling that no car can get.
yes it will make you feel like every car is faster than you!
And that every other car uses better quality materials.
Have you driven a Mini?
Knew who was gonna win as soon as the host discussed owning an na Miata. So many reviewers are predictably biased as soon as the video begins.
It's not bias at all, just a good narrative for the video. The Mini was my favourite of the two right up until that day where the MX-5 proved to be more fun on those roads.
Sorry. Would not be seen in the MX5. I have an e28 M5 for fun so the Mini makes more sense as an everyday smoker. More practical too & it will have more of an after market following to make it look different from other Mini's.
+nswgb69 Why wouldn't you be seen in an MX-5?
+Inside Lane cause he has an inferiority complex.
I would think that the MX-5 would have a larger aftermarket given the 25 year history of it and the nearly 1 million sold as well as its competition history. I know the U.S. and Japanese aftermarket is ramping up on the ND.
+nswgb69 If you have driven one then you'd understand. I love my 01, slowly tuning and modifying her to make her mine. If you care about other peoples opinions and views toward you then it is a horrible car. She has battle scars, homemade changes, and doesn't look her best, but my blood went into this car. That is what earns you the love of it. I love this more then my single turbo Z32 and mechanical injection 302 mustang that I owned for a bit.
Look its easy... Review any car Vs any car and the answer is always MIATA ...supercharged/turbocharged v8(ls3)
Love the mini...prefer the older mini...would love a mini busa
But ...mx5 ftw
High quality video. What kind of English accent is that? Sounds like Harry Potter accents
england
Mx5 is more focused.
A Petrolhead would chose the Mx5 all day long....
would rather have the mini but there are to much bad right ups for breaking down and experience to sort
My Mini never broke down.
You say 7.3 to 62 for the MX-5, however Car & Driver got 5.8 to 60.
+Cristian Younan Official figure from Mazda is 7.3 seconds to 62MPH. These figures usually play it safe, but I'm not sure how they managed to get 5.8 out of it.
+Inside Lane I've seen quite a spread of published acceleration figures for the 2016 MX-5, so I gather that there is a bit of technique involved to achieve the best results. For example, Road and Track recorded a 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds and were kind enough to publish the tester's worksheet (www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/a25857/testing-the-2016-mazda-miata-less-is-more-quantified/)
Basically it said that they launched the MX-5 between 3750 and 4000 rpm with a quick clutch release and a bit of wheelspin.
Great comparison video BTW. I'm sure it must have been a hard decision between the two cars, as they both seem like a lot of fun to drive on some narrow country roads.
+Eric Shea Thanks, we are glad you liked the video. Another factor to think about those times is that in the US it is 0-60mph but over here it is 62mph/100kph. Might not seem like a huge difference but it depends when the gear changes are. We quote what the manufacture does because we know that every car can achieve that figure.
Mini BMW vs miata…the answer is always….
wish mx5 would have 4 seats....
Mini for me but hey.
I wanted a fun car.
I went for the JCW - I needed the luggage room for road trips. Dover to the Orkneys.
2x large suitcases and 2 bags with the rear seats down.
Not as comfy as my 540i but fun! MX5 was still too small internally for height and no luggage space. It’s a poser car.
Not Mazda's fault that you got a freakishly tall height.
Massive spoiler at the end! :( :p
I can't get past the interior of the Mini. I really dislike the modernized-retro look. Also, as others have mentioned, this car has a very poor record for reliability. My 2000 Miata has had no issues of build quality or reliability.
Very slow car-Miata.
Mini is so much more and really stands out as a unique car. Plus, it is a Mini, not a Mazda. Enough said.
+DavidElCid300 Can you put the top down on a Mini? Enough said for me too..
+andyenmitubo They do a convertible JCW
+Inside Lane the mini JCW convertible has 4 seats. I have a mini S convertible 2016 2.0 liter turbo 189hp (still faster and quicker than the mx5) and it fits 4 adults quite comfortably for a 1.5 hour commute to work each day. I don't think the Mazda can beat that.
When you say "quicker" you mean on paper. On a track or a twisting country road that Cooper S would struggle to keep up with the MX-5. I do like the Mini Cooper S Convertible, I tested one in Portugal at the cars launch, but to say it seats four adults comfortably is a bit of a stretch.
+Inside Lane well comfortable is a relative term. compare it to the two seater Mazda convertible... 😎
Lol, this guys tripping
Mini handles better/leans less and is quicker. Ive owned 2 miatasa, they are good but JCW is better.
Have you owned the latest MX-5. Handles much better than the previous car. I wouldn't say that the Mini handles better on the basis of its weight.
Inside Lane Everyone that reviews the latest Miata says it still has body roll/lean in the turns....even you admitted that in your review. The Mini is still a very light car. No I dont own the current one. I owned 2 older gen Miatas.
The BMW mini is ugly as hell mx5 all day thanks
no f...way