Mazda MX-5 Miata NB
Lightweight, rear-drive, manual roadster. The blueprint nobody else has the discipline to ship.
25 reviewers · 71 videos · 55 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its handling and fun to drive, but split on performance and daily drivability.
across 25 reviewers
"immediately it is a more potent engine than that little 1.6 in the na"
Zygrene · ▶ 8:28"It doesn't have a lot of power it's 140 horsepower with 119 pound-feet of torque."
EverydayDriver · ▶ 3:26"It's actually really easy to drive once you get going with the clutch."
TheTopher · ▶ 10:43"there are no glass windows there are no glass side windows"
ShootingCars · ▶ 5:14"that's at least $10,000 less than the base price of any of its more upscale European competitors"
MotorWeek · ▶ 8:22"nearly 20,000 for a little 2C toosa seems like a heck of a lot of money"
Men and Motors · ▶ 4:54Performance
3.5/525 of 25 reviewerssplit“immediately it is a more potent engine than that little 1.6 in the na”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 8:28“It's one of the few Miatas that doesn't feel underpowered behind the Viper.”
positive · TheTopher · ▶ 13:29“It doesn't have a lot of power it's 140 horsepower with 119 pound-feet of torque.”
critical · EverydayDriver · ▶ 3:26Handling
4.5/525 of 25 reviewersstrong consensus“the steering is awesome I mean you get plenty of warning there whenever you know it's just starting to step out a little bit”
positive · Realistick · ▶ 21:46“the steering really came alive. I could really just feel exactly what the front tires are doing.”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 22:05“The precision the feel the road holding the trail breaking the fact that you can try stuff you can try a different line and just see what happens the miata will hang on.”
positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 8:22Fun to drive
5.0/525 of 25 reviewersconsensus“man is it fun. The fact that I'm not doing a million miles an hour does not affect me at all.”
positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 3:26“out of all the cars I've reviewed so far this one is the most confidence inspiring on that stretch of road”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 16:48“these things are just so much fun there it's the best bang for buck over smiles per gallon”
positive · TheTopher · ▶ 9:15Daily drivability
3.5/525 of 25 reviewerssplit“there are no glass windows there are no glass side windows”
critical · ShootingCars · ▶ 5:14“noise levels and refinement are still low points for the NB”
mixed · Realistick · ▶ 14:09“I'm sitting in 6'1. Wish I could sit a little bit lower”
critical · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 3:57Value
4.5/525 of 25 reviewerssplit“that's at least $10,000 less than the base price of any of its more upscale European competitors”
positive · MotorWeek · ▶ 8:22“the mx-5 is the best sports car you can buy on a tight budget.”
positive · High Peak Autos · ▶ 0:53“the value to fun proposition that you get with it... is unbeatable”
positive · EddieX · ▶ 1:56Hear it in the reviewer’s words
- The Drive
Is a $45,000 Mazda Miata Still the Answer?
◆Worth it, with caveatsThe 2026 MX-5 RF is a fantastic, refined sports car, but the soft-top Club remains the superior choice for those prioritizing pure driving value.
- Best for
- Buyers who prioritize the retractable hardtop aesthetic and interior refinement over absolute weight savings.
- Watch out
- 100-pound weight penalty · Significant price premium over soft-top
Quotes worth your time - The Drive
2026 Mazda MX-5 RF Review: Is a Miata With a Heavy and Pricey Hardtop Still ‘the Answer’?
◆Worth it, with caveatsThe MX-5 RF is a fantastic, sophisticated sports car, but the hardtop is a compromise that only makes sense if you prioritize its specific aesthetic and security benefits over the purity of the soft top.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a daily-drivable, stylish convertible and don't mind the weight penalty of the hardtop.
- Watch out
- Significant rear blind spot · Drive-by-wire throttle lag · Synthetic leather steering wheel · Weight penalty over soft top
Quotes worth your time - Top Gear
Mazda MX-5 1.5 review: basic roadster's UK test Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe MX-5 1.5 remains a peerlessly simple, solidly built, and feverish car to drive that proves you don't need big numbers to have a great time.
- Best for
- drivers who prioritize chassis balance and mechanical engagement over raw power.
- Watch out
- lack of smartphone mirroring · third and fourth gears feel long for the engine's power
685 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Mazda MX-5 review: 2.0-litre roadster driven Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe 2.0-litre MX-5 is the superior choice for those who prioritize driving engagement, though the 1.5-litre remains a fantastic entry point.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a balanced, interactive roadster for public roads.
- Watch out
- electric steering lacks feel · unnecessary active safety tech
1,273 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Retro review: the third-gen (NC) Mazda MX-5 Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itPure roadster fun, and easy to live with too. An antidote to the modern world, but still contemporary.
- Best for
- enthusiasts seeking an accessible, fun, and reliable roadster for daily use and spirited driving.
- Watch out
- brittle interior plastics · lack of throttle sharpness · tyre noise with roof up
2,117 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time