What's the difference between the standard MX-5 and the MX-5 RF?

Based on the same underpinnings, the MX-5 RF and standard MX-5 are very similar cars. The major difference is related to the car's roof - RF versions offer a hard-top retractable roof whereas standard MX-5 models offer a soft-top convertible roof.

What does the RF stand for in the Mazda MX-5 RF?

The RF stands for 'Retractable Fastback' representing the vehicle's hard-top retractable roof.

Is the Mazda MX-5 RF front or rear-wheel drive?

All used Mazda MX-5 RF variants will come with rear-wheel drive as standard, allowing you to enjoy the unique driving experience offered by vehicles with this configuration.

How does the Mazda MX-5 RF's roof work?

The Mazda MX-5 RF's retractable roof works electrically by using switches located on the car's dashboard. Simply press the switch and the car's roof and windows will automatically adjust. When down, the roof is stored in a dedicated storage area between the seating position and the boot.

Is the Mazda MX-5 RF reliable?

Mazda vehicles are always well-known for being reliable, and the MX-5 RF is no different, often achieving above-average results in reliability surveys and tests.

How many miles per gallon does the Mazda MX-5 RF get?

Despite being oriented towards a sportier driving experience, the Mazda MX-5 RF still achieves impressive fuel economy figures. You can expect up to 45mpg from 1.5-litre variants and up to 40mpg from 2.0-litre variants.

Is the MX-5 RF good on the motorway?

The MX-5 RF can double down as a daily driver and is surprisingly good on the motorway, offering solid fuel economy figures and a fairly comfortable driving experience.

34 Used Mazda MX-5 RF cars for sale

Mazda MX-5 RF2021 - 2.0 [184] GT Sport Tech 2dr

Low Mileage

£22,499

2L
20.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Mazda MX-5 RF2024 (24) - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Homura Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£27,990

2L
1.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Stoneacre Harrogate

01432801661 *

Mazda MX-5 RF2018 - 1.5 SKYACTIV-G Sport Nav Euro 6 2dr

Low Mileage

£14,349

1.5L
22.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Motor Match Chester

01244207613 *

4.8/5 Stars

Mazda MX-5 RF2017 (67) - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Sport Nav Auto Euro 6 2dr

Low Mileage

£16,750

Finance available £352 pm

2L
36.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Yorkshire Vehicle Solutions Harrogate Ltd

01423648648 *

0/5 Stars

Mazda MX-5 RF(25) - 1.5 SKYACTIV-G Prime-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 2dr

£26,949

6.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

Stoneacre Doncaster Ford

01302986670 *

Mazda MX-5 RF2013 (N7) - 2.0i Sport Graphite Roadster 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (160 ps)

£13,749

Finance available £285 pm

2L
11.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

NS Cars

01515561833 *

Mazda MX-5 RF2018 (68) - 1.5 SKYACTIV-G SE-L Nav Euro 6 2dr

Low Mileage

£14,400

1.5L
23.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.3/5 Stars

Mazda MX-5 RF2017 (17) - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Sport Nav Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (160 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,999

Finance available £290 pm

2L
59.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Empressive Motor Company

01865591236 *

4.7/5 Stars

Mazda MX-5 RF2017 - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G SE-L Nav Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (160 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

2L
45.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Your Motoring Limited

01487800643 *

0/5 Stars

Mazda MX-5 RF2019 - 2.0 SE-L Nav 2dr

Low Mileage

£16,299

2L
29.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Mazda MX-5 RF2024 - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Exclusive-Line Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (1

£27,999

2L
8.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Leominster Motors

01568600697 *

Mazda MX-5 RF2017 (67) - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Sport Nav Auto Euro 6 2dr

Low Mileage

£18,240

Finance available £354 pm

2L
16.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Edward Johnson Otley Ltd

01943660538 *

Mazda MX-5 RF2025 - 1.5 Skyactiv G Exclusive Line Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 132

Reduced

£26,650

5.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Pentagon BYD Mazda Peugeot Vauxhall (Lincoln)

01522467381 *

3.9/5 Stars

Mazda MX-5 RF2017 (67) - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Sport Nav Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (160 ps)

£13,940

2L
65.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 Stars

Mazda MX-5 RF2018 - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Sport Nav Convertible 2dr Petrol Auto Euro 6 (160 ps)

Reduced

£18,399

2L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Leominster Motors

01568600697 *

Mazda MX-5 RF2025 - 1.5 SKYACTIV-G Exclusive-Line Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (1

£28,799

5.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

Leominster Motors

01568600697 *

Mazda MX-5 RF1.5 (132) Exclusive-Line 2-Door

Reduced

£31,306

153.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Invicta Maidstone

01622291203 *

Mazda MX-5 RF2023 (23) - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Exclusive-Line Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (1

Low Mileage

£25,000

2L
14.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Stoneacre Gateshead Metrocentre Mazda

01916071534 *

Mazda MX-5 RF2018 - 2.0 Sport Nav 2dr

Low Mileage

£15,299

2L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Mazda MX-5 RF2017 - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Sport Nav Convertible 2dr Petrol Auto Euro 6 (160 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,199

2L
29.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Leominster Motors

01568600697 *

Why buy a used Mazda MX-5 RF?

Those looking for a sporty coupe that's a thrill to drive will find the MX-5 RF very appealing. Based on the same underpinnings as the regular MX-5, the RF offers a power-operated hardtop to provide refinement when the roof is up, but the joys of open-top driving when down. Featuring Mazda's signature 'Kodo' design, it looks the part too, ensuring you stand out from the crowd wherever you go.

Used Mazda MX-5 RF snapshot review

Pros

Heaps of fun to drive.
Striking looks.
Fantastic value for money.

Cons

As expected, practicality is sacrificed in the name of fun.
Standard soft-top MX-5 is available for less.
Limited adjustment to the driving position.

Mazda MX-5 RF video review

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Used Mazda MX-5 RF buying guide

Engines and transmissions

The Mazda MX-5 RF comes with a pretty straightforward line-up of petrol engines, both of which offer punchy performance and engaging driving dynamics.
The 1.5-litre engine offers 132bhp and a 0 to 60mph time of 8.7 seconds, while the larger 2.0-litre variant is more potent, offering 184bhp and a 0 to 60mph time of 6.8 seconds.
Both manual and automatic gearboxes are available, although used examples with the automatic will be slightly slower to accelerate.
Due to the additional weight of the retractable hard-top roof, the MX-5 RF isn't quite as fast as the standard soft-top MX-5.
Front-engined, rear-wheel drive configuration makes the car a joy to drive.

Practicality

Only two seats are available on all variants.
Limited adjustment to the driving position and taller drivers/passengers will find the cabin a little tight (or have their head poking out when the roof is retracted).
127 litres of boot space are available, which is enough for a small case of luggage for weekend getaways.
You're able to open/close the roof while driving at a speed of up to 31mph, ensuring you don't get caught out in the rain.

Safety

The Mazda MX-5 RF itself has not been tested by Euro NCAP, but its close sibling the MX-5 has been, achieving a four-star rating.
Standard safety equipment includes the likes of cruise control, hill launch assist, ISOFIX mounting points and dynamic stability control.
Higher-specced used examples may come with additional safety equipment including a lane departure warning system, traffic sign recognition and automatic emergency city braking.

Technology

Well-built interior with features such as a 7-inch infotainment screen housing much of the car's tech. Although this is starting to feel a little dated compared to rivals such as the BMW Z4.
Plenty of technology on offer with gadgets such as satellite navigation, Bluetooth® and LED headlights coming as standard.
The optional equipment list was fairly wide when new, with additional tech including a reversing camera, adaptive LED headlights, a limited-slip differential and automatic rain wipers.

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Used Mazda MX-5 RF snapshot review

Pros

Cons

Engines and transmissions

Practicality

Safety

Technology

Shop by Engine Size

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What's the difference between the standard MX-5 and the MX-5 RF?

What does the RF stand for in the Mazda MX-5 RF?

Is the Mazda MX-5 RF front or rear-wheel drive?

How does the Mazda MX-5 RF's roof work?

Is the Mazda MX-5 RF reliable?

How many miles per gallon does the Mazda MX-5 RF get?

Is the MX-5 RF good on the motorway?

34 Used Mazda MX-5 RF cars for sale

Mazda MX-5 RF2021 - 2.0 [184] GT Sport Tech 2dr

Mazda MX-5 RF2024 (24) - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Homura Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Mazda MX-5 RF2018 - 1.5 SKYACTIV-G Sport Nav Euro 6 2dr

Mazda MX-5 RF2017 (67) - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Sport Nav Auto Euro 6 2dr

Mazda MX-5 RF(25) - 1.5 SKYACTIV-G Prime-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 2dr

Mazda MX-5 RF2013 (N7) - 2.0i Sport Graphite Roadster 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (160 ps)

Mazda MX-5 RF2018 (68) - 1.5 SKYACTIV-G SE-L Nav Euro 6 2dr

Mazda MX-5 RF2017 (17) - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Sport Nav Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (160 ps)

Mazda MX-5 RF2017 - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G SE-L Nav Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (160 ps)

Mazda MX-5 RF2019 - 2.0 SE-L Nav 2dr

Mazda MX-5 RF2024 - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Exclusive-Line Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (1

Mazda MX-5 RF2017 (67) - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Sport Nav Auto Euro 6 2dr

Mazda MX-5 RF2025 - 1.5 Skyactiv G Exclusive Line Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 132

Mazda MX-5 RF2017 (67) - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Sport Nav Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (160 ps)

Mazda MX-5 RF2018 - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Sport Nav Convertible 2dr Petrol Auto Euro 6 (160 ps)

Mazda MX-5 RF2025 - 1.5 SKYACTIV-G Exclusive-Line Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (1

Mazda MX-5 RF1.5 (132) Exclusive-Line 2-Door

Mazda MX-5 RF2023 (23) - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Exclusive-Line Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (1

Mazda MX-5 RF2018 - 2.0 Sport Nav 2dr

Mazda MX-5 RF2017 - 2.0 SKYACTIV-G Sport Nav Convertible 2dr Petrol Auto Euro 6 (160 ps)

Why buy a used Mazda MX-5 RF?

Used Mazda MX-5 RF snapshot review

Pros

Cons

Mazda MX-5 RF video review

Used Mazda MX-5 RF buying guide

Engines and transmissions

Practicality

Safety

Technology

Search used Mazda MX-5 RF by type

Find a specific Mazda MX-5 RF

Shop by Engine Size

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Used Mazda MX-5 RF FAQ's

What's the difference between the standard MX-5 and the MX-5 RF?

What does the RF stand for in the Mazda MX-5 RF?

Is the Mazda MX-5 RF front or rear-wheel drive?

How does the Mazda MX-5 RF's roof work?

Is the Mazda MX-5 RF reliable?

How many miles per gallon does the Mazda MX-5 RF get?

Is the MX-5 RF good on the motorway?

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for