Auto Express Says Slower 2016 Mazda Miata With 1.5L Better Than 2.0L

The Mazda Miata is the one of the few cases in automotive history where the slower engine is preferred over the faster one.

One of the first things fellow car guys ask each other when they’re showing off their brand new car is if they sprung the extra couple thousand for the bigger engine. If you say you only went for the four cylinder instead of the V6, you might be met with, “Ahh man, should’ve gotten the bigger one.” But according to Auto Express on their latest comparo on the 2016 Mazda Miata earlier this week (Nov.10, 2015,) it was the smaller engine they actually prefer. Check out that video below.

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If you’re watching this video in North America, we only get the 2.0-liter engine compared to the base 1.5 liter engine everywhere else in the world so when it comes to those in the market for one, this video might not actually apply. But still, it’s fun to watch and is great pub trivia when you’re out with your mates.

The 1.5-liter 2016 Mazda Miata makes a whopping 129 HP and 111 lb-ft and weighs in at a sprightly 2200 pounds. The 2.0-liter 2016 Mazda Miata  makes 26 more HP for a final power number of 155 HP and 148 lb-ft of torque but carries a 132-pound weight penalty coming in at 2,332 pounds.

The ultimate test to see which engine was actually better meant flogging both around Blyton park, which is exactly what Steve Sutcliffe did. Depending on what track layout you’re running on Blyton Park, it’s between 1.5-1.7 miles in length but at that length, times are going to be coming in well under one minute and thirty seconds.

The 1.5 managed a time of 1:19 while the 2.0 shaved off a good four seconds to finish in 1:15. Four seconds is an eternity on such a track length.

But when push came to shove and you had to put your theoretical money where your mouth is, Steve and the Auto Express gang recommended the cheaper, softer sprung 1.5-liter to its audience.

Next: The Toyota S-FR Concept Is A Pint-Sized RWD Miata Fighter

It’s a shame we can’t get that sweet cherry of a motor here in the colonies.