How Mazda’s Iconic Sports Car Has Evolved Over The Last 20 Years

Ask ‘What is the best Japanese rear-wheel-drive roadster?’ and the Mazda MX-5 Miata instantly comes to mind – after all, ‘Miata is always the answer’. In production since the late 1980s, Mazda’s world-famous roadster has come a long way since its original form. To highlight how the MX-5 has evolved to its present state, we’ll compare the last model year of the NB-generation Mazda MX-5 (MY 2005) to the current ND-generation for 2025 – reviewing where they are similar and where they differ significantly.

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2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Base MSRP

$29,330

Base Trim Engine

2.0-Liter I4

Base Trim Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Transmission

6-Speed Manual

Base Trim Horsepower

181 HP @ 7,000 RPM

Base Trim Torque

151 LB-FT @ 4,000 RPM

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Mazda’s mastery of the MX-5 has been in making incremental changes through the years, yet retaining the same basic recipe of a compact, lightweight sports car. This comparison will detail the changes that have taken place over two decades.

A Brief Overview Of The MX-5 NB And ND Generations

The NB-generation Mazda MX-5 was introduced for the 1999 model year, succeeding the iconic NA-generation MX-5 Miata. Though it lacked the pop-up headlights that were a beloved feature of the NA gen, the NB continued to improve on all the traits that made the MX-5 one of the best-handling Mazda two-door sports cars. Once again, a simple four-cylinder engine provided power, but with superior outputs. The NB also distinguished itself with styling inspired by the bigger Mazda RX-7 and a slightly wider, more aerodynamic body. A Mazdaspeed variant was added 2004 onwards, bringing more sportier styling and a turbocharger added to the 1.8L four-cylinder engine for greater power. Production of the NB generation ended in 2005.

The ND-generation MX-5 first debuted for the 2016 model year. It was the first MX-5 model to be designed under Mazda’s ‘Kodo’ design philosophy, featuring more curves and sporty lines than any generation prior. The ND generation also introduced Mazda’s ‘SKYACTIV’ engine technology and electric power steering for the first time. Though featuring more cabin comforts and safety equipment to keep up with modern regulations, the ND still managed to be lighter and shorter than the preceding NC-generation MX-5. The ND generation remains in production today, most recently celebrating the MX-5’s 35th Anniversary with a special edition model to celebrate the milestone.

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Exterior Design: Softer NB Meets ND’s Harder Edges

Both compact roadsters feature exterior styling that makes them distinguishable from all the Mazda sports car models ever made and sold to this day. Even among the most casual of car fans, one can pick out what identifies an NB versus an ND generation MX-5 Miata. The NB evokes the design language expressed by Mazdas from the late 90s to early 2000s, with softer surfaces and lines that keep its appearance relatively sedate – even with the factory 17-inch low-profile wheels and spoilers on its Mazdaspeed variant.

The ND, meanwhile, incorporates Mazda’s ‘Kodo’ design language that has defined its product range post-2010. The result is that it is the more aggressively styled of the two, with flowing lines combined with low-profile LED headlights and taillight designs that give it slightly more presence on the road. The ND generation is also the only one to have the option of a powered hardtop with the Mazda MX-5 RF variant, bringing a targa-like roof arrangement to the roadster.

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Dimensions And Curb Weight

A core feature that makes the Mazda MX-5 one of the best sports cars is its light mass. To allow the MX-5 to deliver the driving experience it is widely praised for, its engineers have always applied the practice of ‘less is more’ with each revision. Even though newer cars have to meet stricter safety regulations, combined with a bigger powertrain and more features onboard, Mazda’s engineers refused to compromise the lightweight philosophy of the latest MX-5.

The result is that the ND weighs roughly the same as the standard naturally-aspirated NB, paired with either the manual or automatic transmission, despite being 20 years newer and packing in a lot more safety equipment.

Going against trends, the ND is actually marginally shorter in length than the NB, but it’s wider. Inside, the ND’s main advantage is more shoulder room, but the older MX-5 has greater cargo space. Ultimately, Mazda has managed to retain very compact dimensions for the MX-5 after 20 years.

Performance: The Same Proven Recipe

Performance and handling are key traits of any sports roadster, and the MX-5 is no exception. Though small in engine capacity and power output, these sporty Mazda cars made up for it in the handling department – driven by the principles of ‘Jinbai Ittai’ to unite the driver and car as one.

Under the hood, the 2.0L SKYACTIV-G four-cylinder unit in the ND-generation is the more powerful out of the latter, producing more power and torque than the NB-generation’s 1.8L naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine – with the turbocharged variant exclusive to the Mazdaspeed MX-5 beating both in torque numbers. While the 2005 model had five- and six-speed manuals (in both standard and Mazdaspeed form), the 2025 model only comes with six speeds for the manual. Both the NB and ND offer automatic gearbox options, with a four-speed unit in the 2005 model and a six-speed unit with paddle shifters for the ND.

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Interior Design: Both Sporty, But ND’s Tech Is Vastly Superior

The compact interiors of both MX-5s are set up with the driver in mind, ensuring they can enjoy Mazda’s sports car to its fullest. When it comes to cabin tech, it’s no surprise the ND is the superior MX-5 of the two. The NB MX-5 did come fairly well equipped for a car of its time – with air conditioning, a CD/Radio system, and power windows as standard on the cheapest model for 2005. But compared to cars nowadays, this level of standard equipment is viewed as only the bare minimum of what a new car should come with.

As the automotive industry has evolved since 2005, buyers expect more modern tech and features within cars of today. This is evident in what comes standard for the cheapest 2025 ND-gen MX-5, the MX-5 Sport. The result is that it comes with a lot more items as standard – ensuring buyers of the cheapest ND-generation MX-5 are well taken care of with enough creature comforts to enjoy their roadster package to its fullest. Bluetooth connectivity, a rear backup camera, and keyless push-button ignition start are a few examples of what comes at no added cost on the cheapest new Mazda sports car model on sale today.

A Major Gulf In Available Safety Equipment

As both the NB and ND generation MX-5s come from two different periods, the levels of standard safety equipment on both with differ significantly, reflecting the standards for vehicle safety in the mid-2000s versus the present day. For the base NB-generation MX-5 for the 2005 model year, buyers got the benefit of dual front airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners for occupant protection – though anti-lock brakes were optional and other aids to keep the rear-wheel-drive platform in check, like traction or electronic stability control (ESC) were not found in any NB model.

Hence, in overall passive and active safety, the ND MX-5, as a production car that has to meet more up-to-date safety requirements, features more airbags and passive/active safety aids than its predecessor. Thankfully, it does so without sacrificing any of its lightweight driving thrills.

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Pricing: Affordability Remains A Key Miata Attribute

The Mazda MX-5 Miata always touted its very accessible price as a key selling point, proving that fun driving thrills could be had without having to budget for an excessive amount of money. This still applies very much to both MX-5 iterations.

Secondhand NB-generation MX-5s have not appreciated significantly since they ended production in 2005, with most decent examples on average selling below $10,000. The NB generation was reasonably priced for a new car in 2005, with a starting price of $22,643. Twenty years on, it has depreciated to a very accessible price range that makes it an ideal rear-wheel-drive sports car for those on a very strict budget. Current values for the Mazdaspeed MX-5 are not far off.

Though starting prices for new cars have gone up since then, the base 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport remains one of the most affordable 2-door sports cars on sale – remaining competitively priced against other Japanese two-door coupes like the Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86.

* Excludes options, destination, and any rebates

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Summary: The Essence Of The MX-5 Is Perfectly Intact After 20 Years

From its form around twenty years ago to the current model year, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has grown up to feature more amenities and safety equipment, but has not lost its crucial ingredients mechanically and internally that have made it the popular Mazda sports car it continues to be. In other words, whether you prefer the more analog experience offered by the NB-generation MX-5 or are more inclined to the more up-to-date ND-generation MX-5, with its balance of modern and the classic Mazda roadster recipe, both will deliver a rewarding driving experience that its cult following constantly rave about.

FAQs

Does Mazda have a sports car?

Mazda currently sells a sports car, the MX-5 Roadster and MX-5 RF in their product lineup.

What is the most sporty Mazda?

The sportiest Mazda on sale today is the Mazda MX-5 (ND), but there have been several exciting Mazda sports cars in the past, including the RX-7 and RX-8.

Is the Mazda RX-7 a sports car?

With its turbocharged rotary engine and sporty styling, the Mazda RX-7 has all the qualities of a sports car.

Sources: Mazda, Kelley Blue Book