The Mazda MX-5 is a breath of fresh air compared to everything else on the road. As cars have gotten fatter, bigger, and more expensive, this humble Japanese sports car just keeps racking up sales, now in its 37th year on the market. Almost every manufacturer has taken their drop-tops off sale, but the Miata refuses to die. And here at CarBuzz, we’re in love with them.
In fact, there are writers here who own more than one. There’s nothing else quite like it, and as sports cars become more complicated with hybrid and electric power, not much compares to its purity. Here’s our love letter to this evergreen sports car, and why we think it’s still the default choice for affordable fun.
The Engine Is Refreshingly Simple
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club detail shot of the engineIan Wright/CarBuzz/Valnet
We’ve heard so many stories of people driving the latest Porsche 911, switching to the Mazda MX-5 and then grinning from ear to ear. With power so easy to get from turbos or electric motors, speed has become almost effortless – we’ve come into an age where your family crossover is faster than supercars of yesteryear. The 2.0L naturally aspirated engine in the MX-5 makes you work for the power.
With only 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, the acceleration will never blow you away, but with the wind in your hair and the revs up at the limiter, you won’t mind. You’ll want to be up there too, with peak power coming in at exactly 7,000 rpm. Made out of aluminum, the engine is also light on the front wheels, meaning that this car isn’t only powerful for its weight, but feels direct to the steering wheel.
“The Mazda MX-5 is brisk but not fast in a straight line. It doesn’t need to be. Driving in a straight line is boring. The British figured that out way back, but the Japanese took the British roadster concept and perfected it for the modern era.”
– Ian Wright, senior road tester, CarBuzz
Of course, we can’t talk about the Miata without highlighting the manual transmission. It’s an important part of this car, and while you can choose an automatic in the top trim, it’s like getting a hot dog without sauce: it just shouldn’t be done. With only the sixth gear coming in at a 1:1 gear ratio, it just shows how short and built-for-purpose this car is. You’ll have to be rowing through the gears before you hit the speed limit.
Weight And Handling Are Paramount
2026 Mazda MX-5 MiataMazda
There are lots of ways the MX-5 stays true to its fun characteristics. The biggest is obviously the weight at only 2,366 lbs, but it’s also where that weight is located. At near 50/50 distribution, the handling is predictable. A front-engined rear-drive car is also said to be the right choice for most enthusiasts, giving perfect balance. Mazda engineers also soften this car compared to its rivals, so when you’re driving over rough roads or just cruising, it’ll soak up the bumps.
Top models get sport-tuned Bilstein suspension as well as a limited-slip differential to increase grip and precision. Mazda’s own Kinematic Posture Control also tries to eliminate body-roll when you’re cornering hard through your suspension and brakes. The cabin is even built for drivers – the seats are bolstered, the gear selector is close to the wheel, and the tachometer is right in the center.
“At this point, the MX-5 is now giving the middle finger to the physics of its short wheelbase by eliminating the inherent twitchiness and unwanted oversteer. Of course, when you want some oversteer, or, indeed, understeer, it’s right there and controllable.” – Ian Wright, senior road tester, CarBuzz
The magic of the Miata isn’t just that seasoned drivers can get in and enjoy it – it’s also because less experienced drivers will enjoy it just as much. It holds your hand a lot more than other cars, and Mazda knows that the fun isn’t in how big your speed is, but the revs. That’s why the speedometer is off to the side – you can be at 7,000 rpm and barely break any laws.
It Doesn’t Chase The Crowd
2026 Mazda MX-5Mazda2026 Toyota GR86 Yuzu Yellow Front ViewToyota
There have been loads of Miata rivals over the years – from the Honda S2000, BMW Z3, and Toyota MR2. You might notice that none of these vehicles are around anymore. The MX-5 has been able to see off each one of them, with the Honda’s 9000 rpm engine too visceral for some, the BMW too expensive, and the MR2’s mid-engined layout inhibiting its practicality. The simple no-nonsense Mazda is the best of all of these cars in one.
“There’s a reason the Miata has a cult-like following across all its generations, and the latest models are likely to gain just as many fans.” – Ian Wright, senior road tester, CarBuzz
In terms of modern rivals, there aren’t many. Some might consider the Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ as the nearest competitor thanks to the similar power and price, but the roof doesn’t drop. Everyone who has driven a convertible will tell you that it adds a lot to the experience. Driving at 30 miles per hour feels like 50, and 50 miles per hour feels like piloting a spaceship.
The RF model is usually less spoken-about, but it can be the right choice for those who want something small but don’t like the idea of a convertible. When the roof is up, it looks like any other coupe on the road. Yes, there may be a weight penalty, but most people buying this car will never notice. A full-on coupe MX-5 would probably be sacrilege, so this is the best way for Mazda to branch out.
The Sales Speak For Themselves
2026 Mazda MX-5Mazda
Everyone always says the Mazda MX-5 is the bestselling roadster in history, but what does that actually mean? Well, Mazda quotes a figure of 1.2 million vehicles built and sold out of their Hiroshima plant. That’s the only factory these MX-5s have ever been built, apart from when demand was so high in the 1990s that they had to increase production at another factory temporarily. In 2024, the roadster was the most sold open-top car globally, and 2025 wasn’t too shabby either.
These accolades are impressive, but with so many manufacturers getting rid of their two-seat sports cars, there aren’t many places for customers to go. The GR86 may have sold slightly more units in the US in 2025, at almost 10,000 compared to the Mazda’s near-9,000 number, but it’s impressive that this generation of Miata has stayed so competitive despite having been on sale since 2015. 2017 was the best year in terms of sales at over 11,000 units.
Can Mazda Stay On Top?
The Mazda Iconic SP Concept’s taillights in detailMazda
Given the current generation’s success after so many years, we imagine Mazda is in no rush to replace this aging little sports car. There are always rumors about what the next-generation will bring, with the company creating a stir every time it launches rotary-powered concepts that get enthusiasts excited. We don’t know what powertrain the next Mazda will have, but with mounting legislation across the world, we hope that there’s some way that the naturally aspirated character will continue.
The most recent facelift for the Mazda MX-5 came in 2024 with small upgrades to make it even more of a drivers’ car, suggesting that it’s here to stay until the next-generation of Mazda Skyactiv engines is introduced around 2027/2028. These motors, named the Skyactiv-Z family, have better thermal efficiency and don’t sacrifice power for emissions controls.
Mazda Vision X-Coupe Concept JMSRoger Biermann/CarBuzz/Valnet
We can’t imagine the MX-5 without a manual transmission, so we’re sure that the company will include one in their latest creation. This car has enjoyed a steady stream of enthusiast sales, so alienating them by removing a much-loved piece of the MX-5 puzzle wouldn’t be ideal. The Skyactiv-Z engines are stated to be 2.5L, so with the company’s targeted weight of under 2,205 lbs, the power-to-weight ratio may even be improved with extra torque thanks to that extra displacement.
Sources: Mazda, Motor1
