Mazda MX-5 1.5 Sport Venture 2021 UK first drive

Missing, reward if found: all the affordable, rear-driven sports cars. 

With Toyota out of the game until the GR 86 arrives, Mazda has been left flying the flag for this rapidly shrinking niche; although given that the MX-5 has long been the segment leader, it’s a pretty big flag.

The fourth-generation roadster may not have changed much visually since its introduction in 2015, but a recent range-wide update introduced stop-start functionality and Mazda’s i-Eloop KERS system. 

The latter uses a capacitor to store electricity generated by the alternator when decelerating, which is then used to power in-cabin systems such as the climate control. The alternator can then disengage and reduce drag for a promised 5% fuel efficiency gain.

That might not sound like much, but if that’s what’s needed to keep cars like the MX-5 in production during an era of increased electrification, we will gladly take it.

Mazda knows that efficiency tweaks aren’t likely to turn customers' heads, though, which is where this limited-run Sport Venture comes in. The MX-5 is no stranger to a special edition or two, with this latest one being something of a homage to the Mk3 Sport Venture released in 2014. 

Available exclusively with the entry-level 1.5-litre engine, this new Mk4 Sport Venture comes with a fetching shade of blue paint (Mazda calls it Deep Crystal Blue Mica, but from certain angles you would be hard-pressed to tell that it isn't dark grey), a grey fabric roof and silver-trimmed flourishes over the door mirrors and roll hoops. 

Inside, you get Light Stone Nappa leather (not quite white, not quite cream), which is normally reserved for step-up Sport Tech cars, sold exclusively with the more powerful 2.0-litre engine and commanding a near £3000 premium over the Sport.

It may have ‘just’ 130bhp from 1.5 litres, but that’s plenty when the entire car weighs little more than a tonne and positively encourages you to seek out the redline with every shift of its six-speed manual transmission. Little else comes close at this price for mechanical feel as you slot the gearstick from second to third.

The stop-start is smoothly integrated and touring economy is very respectable, although the dashboard shift indicator can be annoyingly keen for you to use sixth gear at 30mph. The engine sounds pretty grumbly when you do. It’s not especially rorty at any speed, but that rather suits the car’s demeanor as a fun yet relaxed roadster.