Rev the new 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata’s 170-horsepower engine, and you’re rewarded with smooth, seamless, linear power. The car is quick, loves to run to redline, comes equipped with a manual shifter that’s a touch improved over the old model’s already impressive gearbox, and is easier to heel-and-toe downshift. If you can’t shift for yourself, Mazda is offering a slick six-speed automatic with paddle shifters this year. Compared to the old 142-horse motor in the previous-generation Miata, the new MX-5 is much more powerful and refined. It’s even preferable to the peaky 178-horsepower, turbocharged Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata’s mill despite the blown engine’s lower and higher power and torque peaks. Plus, we got 24.4 mpg with the new engine despite dipping into the throttle on a regular basis, a couple of miles per gallon better than the Mazdaspeed delivers.