The Mazda Miata -er, sorry the MX-5…nope, can’t do it. The Miata is non-stop joy. A classic Japanese roadster, it’s designed for affordability and fun, wrapping passengers in a minimalistic cabin focused purely on driving. The quick-clutch manual transmission provides old-style engagement with smooth transitions while the handling is iconic, delivering a connection to the road an SUV simply can’t.

The small cabin should feel unsafe surrounded by SUVs, yet the Miata is so solidly built, I feel like I can zip through traffic in a single bound. The small steering wheel provides instant feedback and the responsiveness is unparalleled.

The Miata is not for multitasking. This is a car for single-minded focus, not because it’s hard to drive, but because it deserves your full attention as every line in the road, every curve, every turn blurs by.

The convertible hardtop of the RF goes down and up with the touch of a button, which should be one-touch but isn’t. There’s a comparatively large amount of trunk space, sufficient for two weekend bags and supplies.

If your lifestyle permits – and even if it doesn’t – put down your phone and your drink and pick up the Mazda Miata.