Mazda MX-5 Miata vs. Pontiac Solstice
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Pontiac Solstice contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the Pontiac Solstice.
When we compare the Mazda MX-5 Miata's and the Pontiac Solstice's specifications and ratings, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. The Pontiac Solstice has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mazda MX-5 Miata's and the Pontiac Solstice's specifications and ratings, the Pontiac Solstice is a better car than the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Pricing: A used 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata ranges from $8,971 to $16,468 while a used 2009 Pontiac Solstice is priced between $6,256 to $19,991.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda MX-5 Miata’s base engine makes 167 horsepower, and the Pontiac Solstice base engine makes 173 horsepower. The MX-5 Miata is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 356 miles. The Solstice is rated to deliver an average of 21 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 325 miles. This gives the Mazda MX-5 Miata the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Pontiac Solstice. Both models use gasoline.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
21750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
23639
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
19735 - 29930
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
24275
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
12505
Price Range:
8971 - 16468
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
14543
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
12505 - 17839
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
10
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
79509
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
13204
Price Range:
6256 - 19991
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
14
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
76643
# Good or Great Deals:
4
Mazda MX-5 Miata Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Pontiac Solstice Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda MX-5 Miata
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Pontiac Solstice
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.1905270930372938
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
4.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
0.9 - 5.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.6042146035963727
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Mazda MX-5 Miata Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
6 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
11 out of / 12Pontiac Solstice Rankings
Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mazda MX-5 Miata Trim Levels
Grand Touring, Sport, SV, Touring
Pontiac Solstice Trim Levels
Not yet available
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 100000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
167 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque:
140 foot-lbs @ 5000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.068 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
173 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
167 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.060 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 28 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
279 / 356 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 25 / 21
Range (city/hwy):
247 / 325 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Heated Seats
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
5.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
52.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
5.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
50.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2445 lbs
Width:
67.7 inches
Height:
49 inches
Length:
157.3 inches
Wheelbase:
91.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.6 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2860 lbs
Width:
71.3 inches
Height:
50.1 inches
Length:
157.2 inches
Wheelbase:
95.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/50R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/45R18
Exterior Colors
White
Marble White
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Green
Not available
Orange
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Exterior Colors
White
Pure
Black
Mysterious
Blue
Deep / Fresh
Gray
Sly
Green
Envious
Orange
Brazen
Red
Aggresive / Wicked
Silver
Cool
Yellow
Mean
Interior Colors
Black
Black cloth
Interior Colors
Black
Ebony / Ebony / Sand
