The Mazda MX-5 Miata stands apart in today’s crowded automotive landscape. This diminutive roadster has delivered pure driving pleasure for more than three decades, earning a reputation that few sports cars can claim. Built by Mazda with a singular focus on lightweight design and driver engagement, the Miata is officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s best-selling two-seat sports car. Its enduring formula blends simplicity, balance, and a playful spirit — traits that have been carefully preserved even as the model evolved.
First-Generation (NA) Mazda MX-5 Miata
Chicago Auto Show: 1989
When Mazda unveiled the MX-5 at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show, it reignited a spark that many believed long extinguished. The company’s internal project code, “MX-5,” designated it as a Mazda experiment, while the North American name “Miata” drew inspiration from Old High German, meaning “reward.”
In other markets, it carried different labels, such as the “Eunos Roadster” in Japan. Regardless of the name, the essential idea remained the same: to deliver the most rewarding driving experience possible in a tiny package.
European Influences
The Miata did not emerge from thin air. Instead, it traced its spiritual roots to classic European open-top machines that once ruled winding country roads.
The lightweight Lotus Elan served as the clearest muse, demonstrating how low mass and deft handling could succeed over raw power. Other influences included the MG Midget, the Triumph Spitfire, and the Fiat 124 Spider — charming but often unreliable cars that left many enthusiasts longing for their joyous driving feel in a more dependable package.
Mazda distilled these old ideas into a modern, bulletproof form, introducing the concept of “Jinba Ittai,” or horse and rider as one, to describe the unity between driver and machine.
Four Distinct Generations
Over its 35-year model run, the Miata has advanced through four distinct generations.
Generation One: NA
The original NA model (1989 to 1997) showcased simple, rounded styling punctuated by playful pop-up headlights. Under the hood, it carried a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing around 115 horsepower, later upgraded to a 1.8-liter with roughly 133 horsepower. Always rear-wheel drive, it paired best with a slick five-speed manual transmission (a four-speed automatic was also offered).
The first Miata’s interior was spartan by modern standards, but every switch and dial served the driver, keeping weight near a remarkable two thousand one hundred pounds with near-perfect front-to-rear balance.
Second-Generation (NB) Mazda MX-5 Miata
Generation Two: NB
Mazda introduced the NB generation in 1998, marking a shift to fixed headlights and slightly more muscular curves. The 1.8-liter engine remained the staple, producing up to 146 horsepower, while a six-speed manual became available for those craving closer ratios. Torsen limited-slip differentials and a stiffer chassis elevated performance further.
Meanwhile, small tweaks inside the cabin added modest comfort, though the tight dimensions left no doubt this was a driver’s car first.
Generation Three: NC
Come 2006, the NC generation arrived with broader fenders and a new 2.0-liter engine making approximately 166 horsepower. It was built on a platform shared in part with Ford products, resulting in more weight — tipping scales around 2,500 pounds.
Yet this Miata offered gains in cabin refinement, safety, and even practicality. Mazda also unveiled a power retractable hardtop (PRHT), combining coupe-like security with roof-down thrills.
Generation Four: ND
By 2016, Mazda decided to revisit its minimalist roots. The ND generation slimmed back down to about 2,300 pounds. Its taut “KODO” design language gave it a sharper, more aggressive stance without losing the friendly Miata charm. Under the hood, a 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder produced roughly 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.
True to tradition, the standard transmission remained a manual, reinforcing the visceral experience. Updates for 2024 and 2025 have brought more sophisticated tech and refinements to the limited-slip differential, all while preserving the roadster’s core mission.
Third-Generation (NC) Mazda MX-5 Miata
Sporty Styling
Throughout its life, the Miata’s essential style has hinged on its long hood, short rear deck, and low-slung profile. It has never succumbed to overcomplication. Inside, each generation’s cabin has been tightly tailored around the driver, with later models introducing higher-quality materials, improved infotainment systems, and better seating support.
Even so, there is never much room for cargo or spare frills — this is a machine designed to elevate every turn and braking point, not swallow luggage.
Driving Essence
Concerning its driving character, the Miata remains virtually unmatched. Its featherlight curb weight and balanced chassis encourage playful cornering, while direct steering and a lively rear-wheel-drive layout keep the driver engaged. Whether it sported 115 horsepower or closer to 180, the Miata never needed more to deliver thrills.
Mazda’s insistence on offering a proper manual transmission only deepens the sense of involvement. This is a car that makes even a slow drive an event.
Competitive Set
Down through the years, various competitors have tried to capture the same lightning. The Toyota MR2 played in this space with a mid-engine layout, while the Honda S2000 offered a higher-revving, more powerful take on the formula. European rivals such as the BMW Z3 and Z4 or the Porsche Boxster brought more luxury and stronger engines but at higher prices and often with added heft. Other small-volume entries, from the Fiat Barchetta to the Lotus Elise, provided alternate flavors of the lightweight sports car idea, though most lacked the Miata’s broad appeal and everyday usability.
Closer to home, General Motors took a swing at the Miata with two models of its own. The Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky arrived in the mid-2000s, each with sharp looks, rear-wheel drive, and either naturally aspirated or turbocharged power. They managed to stir interest but never reached the same level of staying power, undone in part by GM’s sweeping brand cuts. More recently, the Fiat 124 Spider — built alongside the ND Miata — gave buyers an Italian-styled, turbocharged variant on the same theme, though it, too, has since left the market.
Fourth-Generation (ND) Mazda MX-5 Miata
Miata Motions
Through it all, the Miata has stuck to its guns. It remains a beacon for driving enthusiasts who care less about spec-sheet bragging rights and more about how a car feels through the palms and seat. Mazda’s engineers have proven, generation after generation, that keeping weight low and the connection pure matters more than chasing outright horsepower. Thus, after 35 years, the MX-5 Miata continues to reward its owners in precisely the way its name promised from the very start.
Photo Attribution
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See Also — Driving Fun with the Mazda MX-5 Miata
