2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Convertible w/ Retractable Hardtop Trim Overview

Again for 2012, Mazda has a sports car for the cornering-obsessed masses. The flagship MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Convertible w/Retractable Hardtop offers heady handling, standard 17-inch alloy wheels and a sun-splashed ride via its standard push-button-retractable convertible hardtop. Excess baggage is limited to whatever can be crammed into its 5.3 cubic feet of trunk space, while cabin storage is nearly non-existent as well. Standard heated leather-trimmed seats, however, not to mention simulated alloy and leather interior accents and automatic climate control keep driver and passenger in at least the approximation of cozy posh. Further standard amenities include tilt-wheel steering, power windows and mirrors and remote power door locks, as well as cruise control and a universal remote garage door opener. Entertainment, meanwhile, comes via a Bose premium sound system with an MP3-compatible 6-CD changer and 7 speakers, including a subwoofer. Options include an Appearance Package with front air dam and side and rear under skirts, as well as the Premium Package that includes keyless access and ignition, satellite radio and a wireless cell-phone link featuring Bluetooth hands-free technology. Finally, there’s the available Suspension Package, with Bilstein shock absorbers and a larger rear stabilizer bar bolstering a sport-tuned suspension system and limited-slip rear differential.

A ubiquitous 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant cooks the MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Convertible w/Retractable Hardtop along with 167 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque when matched with the sporty 6-speed manual transmission. Additionally, a silky smooth 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters (and putting out only 158 hp) is available for this spiffy roadster, with an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city/28 highway expected for either gear box when burning recommended premium unleaded gasoline.

Safety-wise, the 2012 MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Convertible w/Retractable Hardtop sports standard 4-wheel antilock braking (ABS), traction and stability control and side-mounted airbags with head protection chambers. Halogen front fog/driving lights also come standard on this high-end trim, while xenon high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights and a remote antitheft alarm are each available when the Premium Package is selected.