Mazda MX-5 Miata History

Roadster · 1990–present

The best-selling two-seat roadster in history — a lightweight, rear-drive sports car that revived the class.

Photo: “1991 Mazda MX-5 1.6i” by Rutger van der Maar / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

First-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata (NA) — white convertible with pop-up headlights raised, front three-quarter view — Photo: “1991 Mazda MX-5 1.6i” by Rutger van der Maar / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

First generation · NA

1990–1997

The pop-up-headlight original — a lightweight, rear-drive roadster inspired by classic British sports cars but built with Japanese reliability. It single-handedly revived the affordable-roadster class. Launched with a 1.6L four, later a 1.8L.

Second-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata (NB) — Sunlight Silver roadster, front three-quarter view — Photo: “2003 Mazda MX-5” by hugh llewelyn / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Second generation · NB

1999–2005

A refined evolution of the NA on the same basic platform, dropping the pop-up headlights for fixed units. The factory-turbocharged Mazdaspeed MX-5 (2004–2005) was the only turbocharged MX-5.

Third-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata (NC) — silver roadster, front three-quarter view — Photo: “2007 Mazda MX-5 (NC Series 1) hardtop (2015-05-29) 01” by OSX / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Cropped to 16:9.

Third generation · NC

2006–2015

An all-new, slightly larger platform shared with the RX-8, and the first MX-5 offered with a Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) folding metal roof alongside the soft top.

Fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND) — Racing Orange 30th Anniversary Edition, front three-quarter view — Photo: “2019 Mazda MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition -571” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Fourth generation · ND

2016–2026

A return to lightweight roots with SkyActiv engineering and crisp 'Kodo' styling. Introduced the RF (Retractable Fastback) hardtop with flying buttresses; a 2019 update raised output to 181 hp.

History

Unveiled in 1989 and sold in the US from 1990, the MX-5 Miata revived the affordable, lightweight, rear-drive roadster, blending classic British sports-car spirit with Japanese reliability.

Across four clean generations (NA, NB, NC, ND) it became the best-selling two-seat sports car ever built, prized for balance, simplicity, and driving purity.

Generations

First generation · NA
1990–1997
The pop-up-headlight original — a lightweight, rear-drive roadster inspired by classic British sports cars but built with Japanese reliability. It single-handedly revived the affordable-roadster class. Launched with a 1.6L four, later a 1.8L.
Second generation · NB
1999–2005
A refined evolution of the NA on the same basic platform, dropping the pop-up headlights for fixed units. The factory-turbocharged Mazdaspeed MX-5 (2004–2005) was the only turbocharged MX-5.
Third generation · NC
2006–2015
An all-new, slightly larger platform shared with the RX-8, and the first MX-5 offered with a Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) folding metal roof alongside the soft top.
Fourth generation · ND
2016–2026
A return to lightweight roots with SkyActiv engineering and crisp 'Kodo' styling. Introduced the RF (Retractable Fastback) hardtop with flying buttresses; a 2019 update raised output to 181 hp.

Famous MX-5 Miata variants

The nameplates that define the MX-5 Miata — each with its own cross-year history, engines, production, and collectibility.

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