Why the 2017 Mazda Miata RF Earns Popular Mechanics Excellence Award

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The 2017 Mazda Miata RF gets its due.

The 2017 Mazda Miata RF is unique. It is one of the last remaining hard-top convertibles sold in America. Cars like the Lexus IS 350C have come and gone, and the BMW 4 Series hardtop convertible costs roughly twice as much. In addition to being almost unique, it is excellent, and that is not just our opinion.

2017 Mazda Miata RF Honored by Popular Mechanics
The new 2017 Mazda Miata RF is one of just 9 new vehicles that Popular Mechanics pinned a ribbon on this month in its Automotive Excellence Awards. The Miata RF is also not some obscure model unlikely to be seen on a dealer lot. They are real cars, that really sell. The Launch Edition sold out almost instantly, but Mazda went to work in its Hiroshima factory and built them faster than promised, beating its delivery schedule.

Why Did The Miata RF Win This Award
Popular Mechanics' automotive editor is Ezra Dyer. There are less than a handful of automotive journalists with his level of respect in the industry. This is a guy who gets it. Dyer explained in simple terms exactly why this vehicle is one of the nine to earn this distinction, saying, "RF" stands for "Retractable Fastback," Mazda's term for the power-operated hideaway hardtop. Hit a button and the rear deck slides back, the roof disappears, and the car reassembles itself. It's an amazing piece of engineering for a car that costs $32,000, offering both exhilarating open-air corner carving and (relatively) serene top-up highway cruising. If you're looking for a sports car with just enough of a hint of practicality, this is it."

Summer is coming. If you are looking for a vehicle that will make all of your back-road tour dreams a reality, at a price point most can afford, this is it.

Submitted by joe gordon (not verified) on April 28, 2017 - 5:53PM

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The Mazda RF is NOT a hardtop convertible, it's a targa. There isn't the open air feeling of a convertible.

Fair enough. However, when I drove it for a week it sure felt open and airy. From your eyeballs forward, and even when one looks to the sides there is no roof or pillar to be seen. I am testing a Fiat 124 Spider soft-top convertible this week (review posted if interested). Same feeling. I owned an NC Miata for 5 years. Same feeling. The only downside is the blind spot over the driver's left shoulder when merging onto the highway.