2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Named A 10 Best Road Trip Car By Kelley Blue Book

Mazda's Popular Roadster Earns Its Second "10 Best" Mention on the Annual List

IRVINE, CA--May 23, 2012: The 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata today was named a 10 Best Road Trip Car in this year's convertible-themed list by the editors of Kelley Blue Book's KBB, the leading provider of new and used car information. Also, earlier in the year, MX-5 was the recipient of another Kelley Blue Book distinction -- the inaugural Total Cost of Ownership Award in the Sports Car category -- as the vehicle was calculated to have the lowest average costs in the first five years of ownership.

According to editors from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, MX-5 earned a spot on the short list, now in its ninth year, because "whether tracing sinuous back roads or circling simple freeway on-ramps, few cars can better transform those arcs into pure joy than the Mazda MX-5 Miata." This is MX-5's second appearance on the 10 Best list, previously being named in 2007.

"Time and time again, the MX-5 Miata proves why it is the best-selling two-seat roadster in the world and Mazda is proud to receive this recent honor from kbb.com," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). "Not only can the vehicle handle the Point A-to-Point B needs of a daily driver yet still offer the performance and athleticism demands to be a road racing champion, but all drivers can enjoy getting behind the wheel of a genuine sports convertible that is safe, dynamic, luxurious and attainable."

Available in four trims, the MX-5 is a lightweight, low-slung, rear-wheel-drive sports car with happiness-inducing handling, features and pricing. With a slender starting curb weight of 2,447 pounds, all MX-5s are equipped with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and produce 167 horsepower (158 horsepower for automatic transmission-equipped models) and 140 lb-ft of torque. The roadster starts at $23,470[1] MSRP with a soft top and at $27,540 when outfitted with the Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT).

[1] Starting price is manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). MSRP does not include $795 destination charge (Alaska $840), title, taxes, license, options and dealer charges. Actual prices set by dealer and may vary.