Mazda MX-5 Miata Model Years and History

The Mazda MX-5 Miata carries over with minimal changes for 2026.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata carries over with minimal changes for 2025.

The Mazda MX-5 carries over with minimal changes for 2024.

The Mazda MX-5 carries over with minimal changes.

For 2022, the Mazda MX-5 returns with minor changes, the automatic transmission is only available on the Grand Touring trim and a new Platinum Quartz Metallic paint was added.

For 2021, the Mazda MX-5 returns with minor changes, Mazda has introduced an optional white nappa leather upholstery and a new Deep Crystal Blue exterior color.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata returns for 2020 with a few new features along with a couple of new exterior colors. Blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and forward collision warning now come standard on the car, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have also been added as standard features.

For 2019, the Mazda MX-5 gets a 17-percent boost in power, up from 155 hp to 181 hp, thanks to revamped internals of its 2.0L 4-cylinder. A telescoping steering wheel makes its debut, as does a rearview camera, and a brown soft top is now available.

The Mazda MX-5 comes with a few notable changes for 2018. A cherry red soft top is offered as an alternative to the standard black soft top. Interior upgrades like a 7-inch touch screen infotainment system, HD radio, and keyless entry are now standard features for the base Sport trim. Further additions include familiar paint schemes like Eternal Blue Mica, Soul Red Crystal, White Pearl Mica, and Machine Gray Metallic.

The Mazda MX-5 received a ground-up redesign last year. For 2017, a new model the Miata RF, or Retractable Fastback, joins the fold. The RF features rear buttresses connected by a black spoiler, and the whole system lifts at the push of a button to allow the central hard top to retract down into a storage compartment. The buttresses then return to their previous position. The RF is otherwise mechanically identical to the Miata rag top, which is largely unchanged for 2017.

The Mazda MX-5 gets a ground up redesign for 2016. Now in its fourth generation, the MX-5 Miata has been charming buyers with its no frills approach to fun since the late 1980s. The newest MX-5 keeps with tradition by focusing on agility, lightness and a fun driving experience over all else. The Miata has always been one of the most pure driving experiences available and this newest iteration is no different.

Mazda have produced a limited run of 25th Anniversary Edition MX-5's for 2015. The Anniversary Edition cars are all painted a deep shade of red and feature dark gunmetal 17-inch alloy wheels. The interior features leather seating and contrasting stitching, along with a little bit more chrome. The engine uses special pistons, rods and a unique flywheel, ensuring that 25th Anniversary Editions rev even quicker than the standard MX-5. The 25th Anniversary Edition has an MSRP of $32,205.

The Miata returns for 2014 with no significant changes.

The Miata gets a nice refresh for the 2013 model year. The most noticeable change is a much more aggressive front fascia on the car, giving it a meaner and sportier look. The mid-level Touring trim has been discontinued and replaced with the Club trim. While the Touring trim looked to add luxury items to the base Miata, the Club trim concentrates more on performance and sporty looks, with a more aggressive suspension package, gunmetal wheels and black exterior accents.

The MX-5 Miata is nearly unchanged for 2012. The Special Edition has been dropped, but everything else you already love about the MX-5 Miata-- two seats, peppy handling, rear-wheel drive, an easy-to fold roof, a low price tag -- is still in place.

The MX-5 Miata is unchanged for 2011. Everything you already love about the Miata -- two seats, peppy handling, rear-wheel drive, an easy-to fold roof, a low price tag -- is still in place.

For 2010, the Mazda Miata gets a mild facelift. The front fascia has been slightly revised, and new headlamps with design influences from the latest Mazda6 have been added. The 2.0-liter inline four gets a minor boost in power to 167 horses--up from 166 in 2009. The former SV base model has been discontinued. Otherwise the model carries over essentially unchanged.

For 2009, the Mazda Miata gets a mild facelift. The front fascia has been largely revised, with a new, larger front grille opening and updated fog and driving lights. Otherwise the model carries over essentially unchanged.

For 2008, the Mazda Miata's driver's seat now adjusts manually for height, and a six-disc changer is now included with the Touring and Grand Touring models. Otherwise the model carries over essentially unchanged.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata was redesigned in 2006, so the 2007 model is largely unchanged in terms of technical specs and equipment. The big news for 2007 is a power retractable hard top, which increases pricing by $2,915 over its cloth top counterparts. The 3rd Generation Limited style is not available for 2007.