Mazda MX-5 Miata vs Honda Civic

We don't know if Mazda planned on launching a classic when it dropped the little MX-5 Miata roadster into dealerships way back in 1990. Yet here we are 35 years later, and the little rear-wheel drive, two-seat convertible is still going strong.

Now in its fourth generation, the MX-5 is available with a soft or hard top and a six-speed manual transmission is standard. Some folks might complain about its minimal cargo space, cramped interior, and hard-to-use technology. Others might want more straight-line power. Those folks just don't get it. The MX-5 isn't about practicality or beating a V8 off the line. Instead, it goes for driving fun where it counts — in the corners.

Verdict: The 2025 Mazda MX-5 is a roadster that rewards drivers with precise handling that's only made better when the top is down and the tunes are cranked.

It’s been almost half a decade since Honda introduced this latest Civic. That’s hard to believe because this car has aged with remarkable grace. After a mild update for the 2025 model year, the 2026 Civic lineup carries over unchanged. It continues to offer sedans and hatchbacks, with or without hybrid power. Sporty Si and performance-tuned Type R variants are also available, but Honda still doesn’t offer the Civic with all-wheel drive. Does that matter? Seemingly not: the Civic is Honda’s second-best-selling car (behind the CR-V) and is consistently the top-selling compact car in Canada. The Honda Civic is assembled in Canada at Honda of Canada Mfg. in Alliston, Ontario.

Verdict: You’ll pay a premium to buy a Honda Civic. In many ways, it’s worth the extra money. In others, not so much. Still, while there are better deals in the compact car class, few are as satisfying to drive, and that’s true even when the Civic is equipped with its base engine.