Mazda · 1989–present

Mazda MX-5

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. Produced at Mazda's Hiroshima plant, the MX-5 debuted in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show. It was created under the design credo Jinba ittai, meaning "unity of horse and rider". Noted for its small, light, balanced and minimalist design, the MX-5 has often been described as a successor to the 1950s and 1960s Italian and British roadsters, with the Lotus Elan serving as a design benchmark. Each generation is identified by a two-letter code, beginning with the first generation NA. The second generation NB launched in 1998, followed by the third generation NC in 2005, and the fourth generation ND in 2015. More than one million MX-5s have been sold, making it the best-selling two-seat convertible sports car in history.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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Overview

The original MX-5 was launched at a time when small roadsters had almost disappeared from the market, with the Alfa Romeo Spider as one of the few comparable models still in production, though at a significantly higher price. That left the MX-5 as the spiritual successor to cars like the MGB, Triumph TR7, Triumph Spitfire, and Fiat Spider. The MX-5 was introduced in February 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show. The first generation MX-5 sold 228,961 units between 1989 and 1997. The lightweight, unibody MX-5 has responsive handling and a curb weight under 1,100 kg (2,500 lb). Its longitudinal truss, marketed as the Powerplant Frame (PPF), provides a rigid connection between the engine and differential to minimize flex and improve balance. Some MX-5 models feature a limited-slip differential, traction control, and an anti-lock braking system. With an approximate 50:50 front/rear weight balance, the car has nearly neutral handling. Inducing oversteer is easy and controllable, making the MX-5 a popular choice for amateur and stock racing, autocross, and club racing.

Conception

In 1976, Bob Hall, a journalist at Motor Trend magazine who was an expert in Japanese cars and fluent in the language, met Kenichi Yamamoto and Gai Arai, head of Research and Development at Mazda. Yamamoto and Gai Arai asked Hall what kind of car Mazda should make in the future: I babbled [...] how the [...] simple, bugs-in-the-teeth, wind-in-the-hair, classically-British sports car doesn't exist any more. I told Mr. Yamamoto that somebody should build one [...] inexpensive roadster. In 1981, Hall moved to a product planning position with Mazda USA and again met Yamamoto, now chairman of Mazda Motors, who remembered their conversation about a roadster and in 1982 gave Hall the go-ahead to research the idea further. At this time Hall hired designer Mark Jordan to join the newly formed Mazda design studio in Southern California. There, Hall and Jordan collaborated on the parameters of the initial image, proportion and visualization of the "light-weight sports" concept. In 1983, the idea turned concept was approved under the "Offline 55" program, an internal Mazda initiative that sought to change the way new models were developed. Thus, under head of project Masakatsu, the concept development was turned into a competition between the Mazda design teams in Tokyo and California. The California team proposed a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, codenamed Duo 101, in line with the British roadster ancestry, but their Japanese counterparts favored the more common front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout or the rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The first round of judging the competing designs was held in April 1984, with designs presented on paper only. The mid-engined car appeared to offer favorable qualities, although it was known at the time that such a layout woul

Generations

=== First generation – NA (1989–1997) === The first generation MX-5 was introduced in 1989 and was in production until 1997. Upon its release, the car won numerous accolades such as Automobile Magazine's 1990 Automobile of the Year and Car and Driver's 10Best list from 1990 to 1992. It initially featured a 1.6 L (98 cu in) straight-four engine making 116 horsepower; in late 1993, a larger 1.8-liter engine was made standard in most markets. The MX-5 was designed with inspiration from the Lotus Elan, with features such as pop-up headlights unique to the NA model. To keep the weight and price down, base models were not equipped with power steering, air conditioning, or a sound system, and had steel wheels. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, with the option of a four-speed automatic also available. Second generation – NB (1998–2005). The second generation MX-5 was unveiled in 1997 and sold beginning in 1998 for the 1999 model year. While keeping the same proportions as the predecessor, Mazda removed the retractable headlamps, due to more stringent pedestrian safety testing. The NB model of the MX-5 had a slight increase in engine power, changes to interior design, and the option of a six-speed manual transmission. In 2001, Mazda increased in engine power slightly, made small changes to the interior, and added a six-speed manual transmission option. In 2001, Mazda changed the front and rear styling, and added variable-valve timing engine technology for the 1.8-liter engine, which made 106 kW (142 hp). Updated models have since been known as NB2, while the earlier versions are referred to as NB1. While various special editions continued to be introduced throughout the entire NB production run, the Mazdaspeed MX-5 is the only MX-5 to be turbocharged at the factory

Production numbers and details

In 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records declared the MX-5 the best-selling two-seat sports car in history, with a then total production of 531,890 units. The 250,000th MX-5 rolled out of the factory on November 9, 1992; the 500,000th, on February 8, 1999; the 750,000th, in March 2004; the 800,000th in January 2007, and the 900,000th in February 2011. On April 22, 2016, Mazda produced its one millionth MX-5. It was displayed in several cities, where the first 240 people present could sign it before it went to the next destination.

Legacy and recognition

The MX-5 has won numerous awards, including Wheels Magazine's Car of the Year for 1989, 2005 and 2016; Sports Car International's "best sports car of the 1990s" and "ten best sports cars of all time"; 2005–2006 Car of the Year Japan; and 2005 Australian Car of the Year. The MX-5 has also made Car and Driver magazine's annual 10 Best list 17 times. In their December 2009 issue, Grassroots Motorsports magazine named the MX-5 as the most important sports car built during the previous 25 years. As production continues and generations are added, the core idea, dimensions and basic technology remain, with technological advancements added with each revised version, while adhering to the original goals that led to its creation. In 2009, English automotive critic Jeremy Clarkson wrote: The fact is that if you want a sports car, the MX-5 is perfect. Nothing on the road will give you better value. Nothing will give you so much fun. The only reason I'm giving it five stars is because I can't give it fourteen. 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. What Car? Magazine 2014 Used Car of the Year - Best Fun Car. Yahoo! Autos 2016 Fresh Ride of the Year. Roadshow by CNET Editors Choice Best Convertibles 2016. World Car of the Year at the 2016 World Car Awards (UK). 2016 World Car of the Year Awards: "World Car of the Year" and "World Car Design of the Year". 2016 UK Car of the Year. The Daily Telegraph 2016 Car of the Year. Auto Express 2017 Roadster of the Year. Red D

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

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Mazda MX-5

Manufacturer

Mazda

aka

Mazda Roadster (Japan)

Production

1989–present

Assembly

Japan: Hiroshima (Ujina Plant No. 1)

Class

Roadster, sports car (S)

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout (NA and NB)

Platform

Mazda N platform

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q127110CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_MX-5CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1373935424 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mazda_MX-5_RF_IMG_7340.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Alexander-93 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — http://www.mazda.com.au/cars/mazda-mx-5/Link only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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