Skip advert
Advertisement
Long term tests

Mazda MX-5 2.0i Sport Tech

A surging at low speed was unwelcome, but a factory software upgrade soon sorted things and smoothness was restored

Mazda MX-5 2.0i

It’s funny how you can think you’re imagining things. When we first got the latest-shape MX-5 I was sure I could feel it surging slightly when I had it on a steady throttle, but I discounted the problem as a figment of my imagination. However,  John Barker, having driven the Mazda at Car of the Year last month, declared that my noggin wasn’t playing tricks on me – there was almost certainly an engine management issue.

Advertisement - Article continues below

I phoned a Mazda dealer to book the MX-5 in and was warned that finding the cause of a problem like this could take longer than a day. But when I dropped the car off the next morning I was told that there was now a recall on all new MX-5s (that’s what I call quick work!) for a software upgrade because of engine surging. A-ha!

When I picked the car up later that day it had been cleaned (nice touch) and the surging problem hasn’t re‑occurred since. Perfect.

Running Costs

Date acquiredAugust 2009
Total mileage9180
Costs this month£0
Mileage this month961
MPG this month31.7
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

MST Mk1 Evo is an extreme Ford Escort road rally recreation
MST Mk1 Evo front
News

MST Mk1 Evo is an extreme Ford Escort road rally recreation

MST’s Mk1 Evo is a tarmac rally weapon that only vaguely resembles a Ford Escort
7 Jul 2026
Alpine A290 and Renault 5 get rally-style body kits from exhaust icon Milltek
Milltek Alpine A290
News

Alpine A290 and Renault 5 get rally-style body kits from exhaust icon Milltek

The A290 and R5 don’t have an exhaust to upgrade, so Milltek has turned to modifying the bodywork
10 Jul 2026
New Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 revealed – baby AMG now has McLaren-baiting performance
Mercedes-AMG CLA 45
News

New Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 revealed – baby AMG now has McLaren-baiting performance

It might be electric but the new CLA 45 has synthesised engine sounds and gears to maximise driver involvement in its fight against Hyundai's Ioniq 6 …
9 Jul 2026