In the middle of the Mazda MX-5 Miata trim tree rests the Club. Aimed to be the more track-focused of the three, the Club trim offers a few extras that the Sport and Grand Touring can’t match.
Same engine, but that’s not a bad thing
The Club trim is powered by the same 181 hp SKYACTIV-G33 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder engine we’ve come to expect. Much like the Sport, the 6-speed manual with a short-throw shifter is the only available transmission.
The Club gets sport-tuned suspension and DSC Track
The regular 4-wheel independent suspension is swapped out for a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein dampers, just like the Grand Touring.
Being the more track-oriented trim, the regular Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) gives way to DSC Track, offering better driving on road courses, also like the Grand Touring.
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Enhanced exterior features set the Club apart from the Sport
The exterior has a few additional touches over the Sport trim. An additional “shark fin” antenna is mounted to the trunk for better radio reception along with a black lip spoiler and a black front air dam. The wheels are an inch bigger at 17″ and come wrapped in P205/45 performance tires.
A fancier interior with a better sound system make it a nice place to be
The interior gets a bit more attention than the Sport but not quite to Grand Touring levels. The cloth-trimmed seats receive suede inserts and heating elements with a piano black seat back bar trim and body-colored upper door trim. The leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, and parking brake also make a welcome return.
The sound system is upgraded to the Bose 9-speaker setup, with speakers embedded in both headrests this time. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa, and steering wheel controls are still standard but are joined by SiriusXM Satellite Radio with an included 3-month subscription.
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Safety features come standard, as they should
Mazda’s standard suite of safety features including rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and forward automatic emergency braking are included in the Club too. You might not need them on the track, but chances are you’ll be driving your Miata there.
The Brembo/BBS Recaro package is a unique, Club-only option
Where the Mazda MX-5 Miata Club trim stands out is the special Brembo/BBS Recaro package only offered on the Club. For $4,500, Mazda will fit your roadster with Brembo front brakes with red calipers, BBS forged 17″ aluminum alloy wheels finished in “Dark Gunmetal”, heated RECARO sport seats, and an aero kit consisting of side sill extensions, and a black rear bumper skirt.
If the wheels, brakes, and heated seats of the Brembo/BBS Recaro package don’t appeal to you but you fancy the aero bits, you can opt for the $800 Club-specific Appearance Package to get just the side sill extensions and rear bumper skirt.
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The same customization packages make another appearance
The standard packages available on the other trims are also offered for the Club. Similarly, individual features from these packages can be selected separately for maximum customization.
The $500 Interior Package offers aesthetic upgrades like a red engine oil cap with the MX-5 logo, stainless steel door sill trim plates, and alloy pedals with a footrest, adding a sporty flair that complements the Sport trim’s name.
The $225 Weather Package includes all-weather floor mats to shield the standard carpets from anything that fate decides to throw at them.
Owners can also opt for front and rear splash guards at $184 per set or the $380 Interior Lighting Kit, which puts white accent lighting in the footwell.
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Everything considered, the Mazda MX-5 Miata Club trim doesn’t seem worthwhile
I expected the Club trim to have more performance-focused features than just aerodynamic accessories, brakes, and wheels. The curb weight and engine remain identical to those in the Sport and Grand Touring trims, and even the sport-tuned suspension is available on the Grand Touring too. That leaves the Club to rely solely on superior downforce to set it apart.
Even then, those aerodynamic accessories can be optioned on the Sport and Grand Touring trims under the Appearance Package, making the Club only unique for its $4,500 special brakes, wheels, and sports seats. We don’t know if that package, as well as the additional $3,500 base price, is enough to justify its existence.
It’s a tough sell, but we’ll leave it up to you all in the comments to decide.
About the author
Gabriel Ionica
Senior Editor, Autoblog