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It doesn’t seem possible, but the Mazda MX-5, originally called the Miata, is 20 years old.

To celebrate the anniversary, Mazda has given its two-seater a fresh face, moved the engine’s redline to 7,200 rpm and made minor changes to the interior.

Over the course of 20 years, the MX-5 has grown slightly, although the car is still quite tiny. It was originally designed to be the reincarnation of a traditional British sports car, and it remains that today.

A sports car is nothing if it’s not fun to drive, and the MX-5 is certainly that. In the car’s last redesign, Mazda’s engineers moved the engine back 5.3 inches. With two people in the car, the weight is distributed almost perfectly between the front and rear axles.

The 50-50 weight distribution and low center of gravity give the MX-5 the manners of a go-kart. It charges into turns with very little body roll, and the steering is so light and responsive that it almost feels as if the car can anticipate changes of direction. The ride is firm without being harsh, due to the double-wishbone front suspension and multilink rear axle.

When you attack a corner, the car feels glued to your hips.

For those who want more all-weather protection than the soft top provides, a power retractable hard top is available. The retractable hard top not only broadens the roadster’s aesthetic appeal, it greatly improves comfort and security.

MX-5 prices start at $21,750 for the SV and top out at $29,290 for the Grand Touring model with a power hard top. I drove a Grand Touring model with a base price of $26,350.

Dropping the top is a simple matter of undoing a central latch and pulling the top back into folded position. It is most easily done outside of the car, but it can be done from inside. Putting the top up is not hard, either.

A small wind blocker can be raised between the headrests to help keep windblast out of the cockpit.

Slide into the MX-5 and the slightly wider cockpit feels comfortable. The test car’s black leather interior was understated and handsome.

The stubby gearshift sits next to the driver’s right hand, and changing gears is as simple as rocking your wrist.

The cockpit fits a wide range of drivers, although tall people may feel crowded. There are three storage compartments on the wall behind the seats, cup holders on the console and bottle holders in the doors. A pocket is affixed to the back of the driver’s seat and the passenger’s side of the transmission tunnel.

Side airbags with head protection are mounted in the seats.

The all-aluminum, 167-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine has four valves per cylinder and variable intake valve timing. It revs quickly because it has a light flywheel, and it’s great fun to shift the close-ratio six-speed transmission. A six-speed automatic is also available.

One-hundred-sixty-seven horsepower is more than adequate for a car with a base curb weight of 2,573 pounds. Zipping through the manual gearbox with the top down, listening to the exhaust’s snarl, is a delight.

The MX-5 may be 20 years old, but it acts like teenager.

Price

The base price of the Grand Touring model is $26,350. The test car was equipped with the optional sport suspension and Bilstein shocks, keyless ignition, Xenon headlights, stability control and a Sirius satellite radio. The sticker price was $29,170.

Warranty

Three years or 36,000 miles with a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

2009 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring

Engine: 2.0-liter, 167-hp 4-cyl.

Transmission: Six-speed

Wheelbase: 91.7 inches

Curb weight: 2,573 lbs.

Base price: $26,350

As driven: $29,170

MPG: 21 city, 28 hwy.

To reach Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tom@tomstrongman.com.