The Mazda MX-5 has been recently ranked the highest sports car in the 2011 J.D. Power vehicle ownership satisfaction survey.

With almost 17,000 motorists from across the UK taking part in the poll, owners of Mazda's iconic two-seater rated their cars well above the competition for its driving dynamics, handling, low ownership costs, mechanical reliability and interior quality.

Remarkably, the Mazda MX-5 notched up a satisfaction rating of 82.4 per cent - an increase on its score from last year and an even greater margin of victory over its rivals than in 2010.

The MX-5 beat the Volkswagen Scirocco, Audi TT, and Mercedes-Benz CLK and SLK.

This is not the first time that the Mazda MX-5 has been successful in the J.D. Power Survey.

Reporting on this year's survey results, WhatCar? magazine commented: "The MX-5 proves that sports cars don't need to be sophisticated, luxurious or expensive to be fun-to-drive. Mazda's MX-5 has been commended in the past and this year its margin of victory is even bigger than it was in 2010."

Earlier this year, the regular 10-strong range of Mazda MX-5 models was boosted by the arrival of two special editions of the legendary roadster, called the MX-5 Kendo. The special edition model celebrates global MX-5 sales passing 900,000 units, including more than 100,000 in the UK.