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Mazda MX-5 Miata
Car and Driver rates the Mazda MX-5 Miata 10/10 and ranks it #1 in Best Affordable Sports Cars, ahead of the Toyota GR86, Subaru BRZ, and Honda Prelude, saying the Miata is purpose-built for driving enthusiasts and is best experienced with its top down. Car and Driver says all Miatas can drop their tops, but there are two different roof designs: the standard car comes with a manually operated softtop, while the RF gets a solid, power-operated targa top, and while the RF model is quieter with its targa top in place, the design of that model results in more wind noise with its top stowed when compared with the soft-top roadster. Headquarter Mazda says both trims of the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF are powered by the SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque.
Rated #1 among affordable sports cars
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) rates the Mazda MX-5 Miata 10/10 and ranks it #1 in Best Affordable Sports Cars, ahead of the Toyota GR86, Subaru BRZ, and Honda Prelude, saying the Miata is purpose-built for driving enthusiasts and is best experienced with its top down.
Soft top or RF targa top
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says all Miatas can drop their tops, but there are two different roof designs: the standard car comes with a manually operated softtop, while the RF gets a solid, power-operated targa top, and while the RF model is quieter with its targa top in place, the design of that model results in more wind noise with its top stowed when compared with the soft-top roadster.
181-hp four-cylinder power in the RF
Headquarter Mazda (opens in a new tab) says both trims of the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF are powered by the SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque.
Questions buyers ask
Is the Mazda MX-5 Miata a good affordable sports car?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) rates it 10/10 and ranks it #1 in the class.
What's the difference between the Miata and the Miata RF?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says the standard car has a manually operated softtop while the RF gets a solid, power-operated targa top, with the RF quieter top-up but noisier top-down.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata is built around 2.0L four-cylinder, rated at 181 horsepower across its roadster body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 3 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2026 MX-5 Miata seats 2 and is a Roadster.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2026 MX-5 Miata.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Every MX-5 Miata trim shares the same 181-horsepower engine and standard six-speed manual; Club and Grand Touring are the only trims offered with the RF retractable-fastback body and an automatic option.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
2 indexed Mazda MX-5 Miata model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Mazda MX-5 | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
The Mazda MX-5 is a lightweight two-seat sports car manufactured and marketed by Mazda. While in most markets it is called the MX5, in Japan it is marketed as the Mazda Roadster or, previously, as the Eunos Roadster, and In the United States it is sold as the Mazda MX-5 Miata (). The name miata derives from Old High German for "reward", and the MX-5 nameplate was derived from it being the fifth vehicle produced by the Mazda experimental division.
- Awards
- Automobile Magazine 1990 "Automobile of the Year" and "All-Stars" list in 2016. Car and Driver's 10Best list from 1990-1992, 1998-1999, 2001, 2006-2013, 2016-2019. Car of the Year Japan Award 2005-2006 and 2015-2016. 2006 World Car of the Year Awards: "World Car of the Year" Finalist. 2012 Autocar Indonesia Reader's Choice Award, Favorite Convertible.
- Motorsport
- Lightly modified MX-5s are a popular choice for amateur circuit racing. They are the basis of many spec racing series around the world, including: Spec Miata, a class of racing cars in the US Global MX-5 Cup, a Spec Miata series in the US sanctioned by IMSA MaX5 Racing Championship, a class of racing cars in the United Kingdom
Source: Mazda MX-5 (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Mazda MX-5 Miata at a glance
- Production
- 1989–present
- Assembly
- Japan: Hiroshima (Ujina Plant No. 1)
- Class
- Roadster, sports car (S)
- Platform
- Mazda N platform
Year by year
The Mazda MX-5 Miata across 12 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata | 29 | $2,750 | 2 | ||
| 2025 Mazda MX-5 | 29 | $2,650 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 2024 Mazda MX-5 | 29 | $2,650 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 2023 Mazda MX-5 | 29–30 | $2,600–$2,650 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 2022 Mazda MX-5 | 29–30 | $2,600–$2,650 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 2021 Mazda MX-5 | 29–30 | $2,600–$2,650 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 Mazda MX-5 | 29–30 | $2,600–$2,650 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 2019 Mazda MX-5 | 29–30 | $2,600–$2,650 | 2 | 2 | 11 |
| 2018 Mazda MX-5 | 29 | $2,650 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 2017 Mazda MX-5 | 29 | $2,650 | 2 | 2 | 11 |
| 2016 Mazda MX-5 | 30 | $2,600 | 2 | 3 | 34 |
| 2015 Mazda MX-5 | 23–24 | $3,250–$3,350 | 3 | 1 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Mazda MX-5 Miata, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 to 2024 | 29.5 to 29.0 | |||
| 2018 to 2019 | 29.0 to 29.5 | |||
| 2016 to 2017 | 30.0 to 29.0 | |||
| 2015 to 2016 | 3 to 2 | 23.5 to 30.0 | Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI | Engines: 2L 4-cyl; Transmissions: Manual 5-spd |
Buying used
What the Mazda MX-5 Miata recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | traction control system | None |
| 2024 | 1 | traction control system | None |
| 2023 | 1 | air bags (air bag/restraint control module) | None |
| 2022 | 1 | air bags (air bag/restraint control module) | None |
| 2021 | 1 | air bags (air bag/restraint control module) | None |
| 2020 | 1 | air bags (air bag/restraint control module) | None |
| 2019 | 2 | fuel system, gasoline (delivery); air bags (air bag/restraint control module) | None |
| 2018 | 3 | power train (automatic transmission); fuel system, gasoline (delivery); air bags (air bag/restraint control module) | None |
| 2017 | 2 | power train (automatic transmission); air bags (air bag/restraint control module) | None |
| 2016 | 3 | power train (automatic transmission); structure (frame and members); air bags (air bag/restraint control module) | None |
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | 25 | 30% | 2016 (11) |
| electrical system | 12 | 14% | 2016 (4) |
| unknown or other | 10 | 12% | 2016 (7) |
| air bags | 9 | 11% | 2016 (5) |
| structure | 7 | 8% | 2016 (4) |
| steering | 7 | 8% | 2016 (2) |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | RWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (SKYACTIV-G) | 181 | 151 | 2,366 | – | – | $31,665 |
| Club | RWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (SKYACTIV-G) | 181 | 151 | 2,366 | – | – | $35,165 |
| Grand Touring | RWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (SKYACTIV-G) | 181 | 151 | 2,405 | – | – | $36,965 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Mazda MX-5 Miata model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (SKYACTIV-G) | 181 | 2,366–2,405 | – | 11.9 |
| 2025 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (SKYACTIV-G) | 181 | 2,366–2,405 | – | 11.9 |
| 2024 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (SKYACTIV-G) | 181 | 2,368 | – | 11.9 |
| 2023 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (SKYACTIV-G) | 181 | 2,341 | – | 11.9 |
| 2022 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (SKYACTIV-G) | 181 | 2,341 | – | 11.9 |
| 2021 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (SKYACTIV-G) | 181 | 2,341 | – | 11.9 |
| 2020 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (SKYACTIV-G) | 181 | 2,341 | – | 11.9 |
| 2019 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (SKYACTIV-G) | 181 | 2,339 | – | 11.9 |
| 2018 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 155 | 2,332 | – | 11.9 |
| 2017 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 155 | 2,332 | – | 11.9 |
| 2016 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 155 | 2,332 | – | 11.9 |
| 2015 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 167 | 2,480–2,593 | – | 12.7 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Model-year recall record
Mazda MX-5 Miata: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | not available | ||
| 2025 | 1 | 3 | Traction Control System |
| 2024 | 1 | 5 | Traction Control System |
| 2023 | 1 | 7 | airbags |
| 2022 | 1 | 5 | airbags |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 | airbags |
| 2020 | 1 | 3 | airbags |
| 2019 | 2 | 11 | fuel system, airbags |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 | powertrain, fuel system, airbags |
| 2017 | 2 | 11 | powertrain, airbags |
| 2016 | 3 | 34 | powertrain, structure, airbags |
| 2015 | 1 |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Mazda MX-5 Miata?
Federal recall records don't single out a best Mazda MX-5 Miata model year: recall counts across the 10 published model years checked here stay within a normal range of this nameplate's own average (about 1.6 recalls per year), with no year standing out as notably higher or lower. Recall count is one input, not a purchase verdict. It says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record.
Q02What are common recall-related problems on the Mazda MX-5 Miata by model year?
2025: Traction Control System. 2024: Traction Control System. 2023: airbags. 2022: airbags. 2021: airbags. 2020: airbags.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Transmission and drivetrain, Buying, records and recalls, Engine and cooling.
Compared with
Models this Mazda MX-5 Miata is most often compared with.
Nearest Mazda models
Other Mazda models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 MX-5 Miata come in?
The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata (roadster) comes in 3 trims: Sport, Club, Grand Touring.
Q02What are the 2026 MX-5 Miata trims?
The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata trims are Sport, Club, Grand Touring, listed from the entry Sport up to the top Grand Touring.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 MX-5 Miata use?
The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata is built around 2.0L four-cylinder, rated at 181 horsepower across its roadster body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 MX-5 Miata have?
The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata is rated at 181 horsepower (2.0L four-cylinder).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 MX-5 Miata?
The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata is offered with RWD.