2025 PERFORMANCE CAR OF THE YEAR-ROAD

The scenic and serpentine roads of California's wine country provide a real-world test of the contenders.

- MIKE DUFF

WHILE TRACK WORK is huge fun, the road is always where Performance Car of the Year is won or lost. From Thunderhill, we took a scenic tour south and west (but with plenty of north and east) to Sonoma County, followed by a second day on the spectacular roads around Lake Sonoma.

The format gives plenty of time to experience all the cars and the sheer contrast of the disparate field—most obviously between the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the Lamborghini Revuelto, which book-end the contenders. The Lambo has five-and-a-half times the power and, as tested here, costs nearly 19 times as much. You could have a whole spec race grid of Miatas for the price of one Revuelto.

A retuned steering system and a new asymmetric limited-slip differential for the 2024 Miata Club were sufficient excuses for us to extend an invite to an old friend. Those who drew the Mazda for the faster sections of our route lamented its lack of punch compared with the heavier hitters. But on twistier stints, the Miata was never humbled by its underdog status; the well-flagged limits meant drivers were happy to push to keep up with the quicker stuff. Associate editor Emmet White summarizes it perfectly: “The Mazda doesn't egg you on to be faster, but it helps you to be better.”

The Miata Club's well-rounded talents also overshadow the Z4 M40i. BMW's roadster proved itself a fine car on road, more natural feeling and refined than under racetrack loadings. The turbocharged six-cylinder delivers respectable urge and makes some muscular noises. But a thrill ride it is not.

Appealing as it might seem, the six-speed stick garners mixed reviews. “The problem is that it's not a great shifter,” says associate editor Lucas Bell. “It's too light for my tastes, and it's easy to miss third for fifth.”