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Comparison Test: 2006 Pontiac Solstice and 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Overall Review
By: Frank Filipponio
Photos by Drew Phillips
February 22, 2006

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Two Affordable Roadsters Go Head-to-Head

17 years ago, Mazda introduced the MX-5 Miata and many rejoiced that the affordable lightweight roadster was reborn. Since then, the Miata has continued to evolve from a cute and fun drop-top into a more focused sports car with bumps in horsepower and suspension refinement that allowed even heterosexual men the peace of mind to proudly admit ownership.

During its lifespan, no serious challengers have appeared that could match the Miata's punching power per pound, until now. For 2006, Mazda is faced with its first serious competition in the form of Pontiac’s concept-car-for-the-streets, the all-new 2006 Solstice. But this isn’t your mother’s Miata that the Solstice is lining up against.

For 2006, America's favorite roadster has dropped the Miata moniker in favor of the more contemporary, if boring, MX-5 designation. Along with the new name comes a new platform that has been stretched and refined while keeping weight close to the previous generation. Oh yeah, power is up too. Close to Mazdaspeed turbo levels from the last gen, and nearly matching the Solstice’s 20% larger mill, developing 170 and 177 horsepower respectively.

The Solstice does have a more pronounced edge in torque (166 to 140), but also has 400 extra pounds to lug around. Given the fact that these two cars have similar missions in life, similar price tags, similar footprints and similar power-to-weight ratios, they practically scream to be compared. And who are we to ignore them?

The Title Holder

As the reigning champ, the MX-5 has a proven reputation for value, performance and reliability that make it a safe choice. You really can’t go wrong with choosing this car. And the changes that Mazda has made for ’06 just make it a smarter choice than ever.

The MX-5 has a wheelbase stretched 2.5 inches (to 91.7) and a wider cabin, with 3.5-inches more shoulder room. It’s still not an everyday vehicle if you shop at Big ‘N’ Tall stores, at least with the top up. Speaking of the top, it’s still manually operated, but dropping or raising it is so simple, nobody should ever complain. And it doesn’t eat up any precious cargo space when lowered.

In an effort to contemporize the interior, Mazda has also added some bling to the interior in order to add a little sophistication, but the execution leaves a little to be desired. Hard plastics have replaced a lot of the vinyl or leather coverings on interior surfaces compared to the outgoing model, and although it definitely gives the MX-5 a fresh look, it also seems busier and less focused. Exterior changes are subtler.

Although completely new, most people will probably need to see an MX-5 and a Miata lined up alongside each other to be able to identify the changes. Rather than take any chances with a bold new look, Mazda has played it very conservatively and given the MX-5 an updated but instantly recognizable shape. Even the details echo the first and second gen Miatas, with a few dashes of RX-8 thrown in here and there. Not necessarily a bad thing, but when facing such a stylish newcomer like the Solstice, the MX-5 lacks some pop in the looks department.

Mechanically, there is no faulting Mazda’s progress. The normally aspirated 2.0-liter, dohc four under the MX-5’s hood makes 170 horsepower at 6,700 rpm and 140 pound-feet of torque at 5,000. That's only 8 hp less than last year’s turbocharged Mazdaspeed Miata. And that motor is coupled to your choice of one of 3 world-class transmissions, a standard 5-speed manual or optional 6-speed stick or auto trannies. You’ll give up a few horsepower if you choose the automatic, but for conflicted shoppers, Mazda lets you shift for yourself with flappy paddles mounted on either side of the steering column, if you so desire. No matter which transmission you choose, acceleration is strong (although not neck-snapping) in any gear and using the clutch, shifter and engine to their fullest is effortless and intuitive.

One of the Miata’s strengths was its ability to circle a skidpad or dodge cones as well, or better than, cars costing twice as much as it did, and the ’06 MX-5 doesn’t disappoint here either. Handling from the double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension is still razor sharp and braking and steering feel are among the best out there. The limits might not be in supercar territory, but the car lets you know when you’ve reached them. Seems cliché, but you really do feel like you are directly connected to the road.

The balance and predictable communication of its handling and braking limits inspire confidence and make this a very rewarding drivers’ car. You never reach a point where you’re unsure of how it might react if you push a little harder or have to make a sudden change in throttle or steering. The overall balance and responsiveness make the MX-5 feel like a budget Boxster. You just do what you have to do and the car obeys.

The Contender

And now the new kid on the block: Straight from a designer’s sketchpad, the 2006 Pontiac Solstice. Pontiac is GM’s excitement division and the no-beer-goggles-needed good looks of the Solstice will certainly generate some for dealers and GM beancounters who have desperately been wanting something fresh to generate sales. Looking more like an auto show escapee than any other car on the road, early sales success says they may be on to something.

Although it looks bigger than the MX-5, clever packaging means the Solstice is actually fractionally shorter. It is 3.6-inches wider, however, and rides on a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase. Although this does translate into additional room in the cockpit, it feels like much less than those numbers would suggest. And there is a penalty to pay for that extra width.

The Solstice weighs some 400 pounds more than the MX-5. From behind the wheel it reminds you that this is a Pontiac after all. It just feels bigger than the Mazda. A bigger, torquier motor and a platform that feels like it can capably handle 3 times the stock hp (like in the Mallett V8 Solstice), help justify this extra porkage.

The interior surfaces of the Solstice provide the same fodder for criticism as in the Mazda, but the look and layout of the gauges and controls feel slightly more well thought out, with one huge exception. With the door closed it’s almost impossible to adjust the seatback angle in the Solstice. Compared to that, the lack of rear visibility with the top up seems minor.

And speaking of that top, it’s manual like in the MX-5, but requires that you step outside to lower or raise it after using the dash-mounted button that releases the slick clamshell covering. The Solstice top looks much more stylish raised than that on the Mazda, and when lowered the headrest fairings add a distinctive look that again sets it apart from the MX-5. Unfortunately that top also robs almost all of the available luggage room when lowered. If I had to guess, I’d say this is the result of rushing the Solstice to market after such a strong public reaction to the concept car. Styling is definitely one of this car’s strong points.

Crawl underneath or pop the hood and you'll find more reasons to like this contender. The 2.4-liter twin-cam 4-cylinder puts out 177 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque, which bests the Mazda by 7 hp and a healthy 26 pound-feet. Almost enough to overcome the weight penalty and keep the Solstice neck-and-neck with the MX-5 at the dragstrip. Although lacking a gear compared to the top-level Mazda units, the 5-speed transmissions in the Solstice are fairly direct and feel like they will stand up to lots of abuse.

Riding on an independent short/long arm suspension at each end, with huge 245/45 tires on 18-inch alloy wheels, the ride is surprisingly compliant, given the fact the Solstice feels like it will stick like glue in any conditions. The actual limits seem to be higher than in the MX-5, but the Pontiac lacks the precise feel of the Mazda. Where the Mazda lets you know when you’re approaching its limits quite clearly, the Pontiac just feels like you might never reach that limit. The tendency towards safe understeer in all situations means the average driver should be able to jump in the Solstice and achieve track times that are consistent and quick. The MX-5 would take a little more time to figure out the best way to finesse it around the course. Each approach has its advantages.

The Decision

Since these two cars are contending for the same share of the sales purse, it makes sense to look at how the public has been judging these competitors. Check the scorecard and you’ll see the Solstice has outsold the new MX-5 by almost 3-to-1 for the short time they’ve both been available. And it’s not even ragtop season yet.

Part of this is undoubtedly the newness factor. The Solstice is simply unlike anything else on the market, at least until the Saturn Sky debuts. The bold good looks of the Solstice are probably attracting people who would never have considered a roadster before. Empty-nest Baby Boomers who are rediscovering the thrill of driving something other than an SUV or minivan are checking out their local Pontiac dealer for the first time in years. And that is where this match is ultimately decided.

But there is more to this story. I can’t help but feel that the people buying a Solstice will find it to be a great car to take out for a ride on sunny spring days, where they can drop the top and enjoy the fresh air and admiring glances of their neighbors. A torquey motor and burbling exhaust note will keep them happy. Finesse and precision won’t be on their wish list, and this will be a fun toy for the most part so there’s no need for much practicality.

The MX-5 owner may overlap the Solstice buyer somewhat, but the character of these two cars seems to guarantee that sales will come from two completely different groups. Where the Pontiac will have people wanting to go for a ride, the Mazda will attract people who want to drive. The rewards of responsiveness, balance, precision, engagement, and communication with the road are unique to the MX-5.

Compared to the Mazda, the Pontiac’s steering feels heavy and awkward. Throttle response is lethargic and brake feel is imprecise, to say the least. Driving the Solstice at street-safe speeds might be easier, but it is not nearly as rewarding. The MX-5, on the other hand, lacks some punch in the looks department and is a tighter fit for the average adult, but should offer better reliability and economy of ownership. Having lost out on the cuteness factor, it will appeal more to the sports car purist and occupy a smaller niche in the sales race.

So the ultimate decision seems to be a draw. Although by every measure of the tape these two should be going head to head in the market place, the reality is that they are fighting in completely different classes. Falling in love at first sight with the Solstice, a customer won’t probably take the time to cross-shop an MX-5. And somebody who is looking at an MX-5 probably already has a Miata somewhere in their past and would see the Pontiac as a poseur. Rather than true competitors, what we have here in the Pontiac Solstice and Mazda MX-5 are two cars occupying similar territory, but with completely different missions. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, but both will find buyers, as they should.