The Mazda MX-5 is a true driver’s enthusiast sports car that is lean, keen, and downright fun to drive. One could argue that the Scion FR-S, which received a bevy of suspension and handling improvements for the 2015 model year, is also an affordable sports car that proves a lot can be done with a moderate amount of power.
| 2016 Mazda MX-5 | 2016 Scion FR-S | |
| Engine | 2.0L SKYACTIVE I-4 | 2.0L 4U-GSE 4-cylinder Boxer |
| Horsepower | 155 hp | 200 hp |
| Torque | 148 lb-ft | 151 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain Layout | RWD | RWD |
| Curb Weight | 2,332 lbs. | 2,758 lbs. |
| Power/Weight Ratio | .066 | .073 |
Both of these cars have great engines. The 2.0-liter SKYACTIVE four-pot motor has linear power delivery. It has good mid-range power and pulls nicely all the way to the 6,800 rpm redline. The 4-cylinder Boxer engine in the FR-S is high strung and loves to scream at high revs. It has respectable torque before 4000 rpm, but the torque curve dips noticeably roughly between 4,000 – 5,000 rpm. Once the engine gets back into its power band, it pulls hard all the way to its 7,500 rpm redline.
Side-by-side, the two affable sports cars are quite similar. Both are front engine/rear-wheel drive cars, both have 6-speed manual transmissions, and both are powered naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engines. The TFL Car team could not do a head-to-head test at the track because track conditions weren’t suitable, but they were able to perform a 0-60 mph test on a dry day.
Watch this video to find out which is faster. Is it the 2016 Mazda MX-5 or the 2016 Scion FR-S?
