NE Miata: Next-Gen Miata – What to Expect

NE Miata: Next-Gen Miata – What to Expect

The next-generation NE Miata is anticipated to arrive within the next several years, with the current ND Miata nearly running its course since debuting for the 2016 model year. Mazda has yet to provide concrete details about the development of its fifth-generation roadster, so we can only speculate what the next-gen MX-5 Miata NE might bring.

Several aspects seem certain, though, like that the upcoming NE Miata will be as lightweight as possible, offer a manual transmission, and provide one of the purest driving experiences of any new car, no matter the price point. Given the track record of the first four generations of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, there’s little doubt the next-gen model will be a blast to drive on the street and the track.

That brings us to the question on the mind of most Miata fans: what engine will power the NE Miata?

Will Mazda’s iconic roadster stick with its tried-and-true formula of a lightweight, naturally aspirated gas engine for as long as regulations allow? Or will it arrive sporting hybrid or electric power, or multiple engine choices?

That’s the focus of this still-too-early preview of the MX-5 Miata’s fifth generation.

Based on rumors, speculation, Mazda executives’ statements, and our own opinions, here’s what to expect when the Miata NE release date finally arrives.

Gas, Hybrid, Electric: What Will Power the NE Miata?

There have been recent NE Miata rumors and speculation that the next-generation MX-5 roadster will skip a hybrid powertrain altogether, jumping from the past and present gas-powered models to an all-electric drivetrain in one go. However, we think this is highly unlikely for several reasons.

For one, Mazda has been slow to transition to fully electric models throughout its lineup, and we expect the MX-5 Miata to be the very last Mazda model ever to go all-in on an EV powertrain.

The automaker is in the process of building an extensive lineup of Mazda hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models available worldwide or in select markets, so it seems natural the next-gen MX-5 Miata NE will join this trend with a gas-electric hybrid powertrain option.

Secondly, electric cars and their batteries are simply too heavy at the moment to warrant a fully electric Miata. We think it’s much more likely that Mazda will wait to debut a Miata electric car until EV battery technology significantly improves, where an MX-5 EV wouldn’t weigh drastically more than any gas-powered version.

With the fifth-gen Miata NE release date likely only a few years away, it seems too soon to think about a lightweight Miata electric car.

That’s not to say the next-gen Mazda NE Miata won’t offer a fully electric option during its model run. We expect the upcoming Miata NE to be in production for a decade or longer, with various updates along the way.

The fifth-gen Miata platform will likely be developed from the start with gas, hybrid, and electric powertrain applications in mind.

Multiple Powertrains, Starting With a 2.0-Liter Gas Engine?

The current-generation ND Miata has been offered with multiple engines across various markets, including a 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter engine. We think the upcoming Mazda Miata NE model is even more likely to be available with multiple powertrain choices.

There could be a purely gas base engine, and an available hybrid or mild-hybrid Miata, with an MX-5 electric model offered later down the road.

We anticipate a version of Mazda’s recently announced new Skyactiv-Z inline four-cylinder engine to power the upcoming Miata NE model when it debuts. The new, more efficient Skyactiv-Z engines are planned to replace the Skyactiv-G units that power the ND Miata and the rest of the four-cylinder models in Mazda’s lineup.

Skyactiv-Z is part of the new Mazda engine tech coming in the next wave of Mazda models.

Many Miata fans and current owners might not be interested in the rumored Miata hybrid model, at least initially upon release. So offering a new Skyactiv-Z engine with around 200 horsepower or more could satisfy Miata loyalists.

The manual transmission is sure to live on in the next Miata, whether only paired with a purely gas engine or also with the exclusive hybrid powertrain.

NE Miata Hybrid: Powertrain Possibilities

So, if the next Mazda Miata will likely offer hybrid power, what powertrain should we expect under the hood?

Mazda has several mild-hybrid and full-hybrid options it could pursue. Or, a completely new Miata hybrid setup could be in the works right now.

If the next-gen Miata is powered by a heavily tuned version of a currently available Mazda hybrid engine, the e-Skyactiv-G 2.0 is one such option.

This 2.0-liter M Hybrid powertrain features a mild-hybrid setup and is utilized in models like the Mazda3 and CX-30 in select markets. And, you can get the e-Skyactiv-G 2.0 M Hybrid in the Mazda3 with a manual transmission, which is rare even among mild hybrids.

The e-Skyactiv-G 2.0 M Hybrid engine makes around 114 kW of power and 200 Nm of torque in its current usage, or about 153 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. It would likely see a significant rework through engine, intake, and exhaust tuning before being unleashed in the more powerful and fuel-efficient fifth-gen Miata NE.

Alternatively, the MX-5 NE could offer a full-hybrid setup, similar to the new CX-5 Hybrid, which debuts the automaker’s new gas-electric powertrain developed entirely in-house.

If Mazda builds a full-hybrid version based around its Skyactiv 2.0-liter engine currently powering the ND Miata, it could end up licensing hybrid technology from Toyota or jointly developing the new Miata hybrid powertrain. Mazda and Toyota have been jointly developing technologies for electrified vehicles for several years now, which could result in a highly efficient yet fun-to-drive NE Miata hybrid.

What about a Miata PHEV model?

As with a fully electric Miata, we think a plug-in hybrid Miata is highly doubtful in the near term. A PHEV variant would weigh substantially more than a gas-powered, hybrid, or mild-hybrid MX-5, and would go against the Miata’s philosophy as a lightweight roadster.

So, what displacement and power output should we expect for a next-gen NE Miata hybrid?

We do not anticipate any NE Miata engines to grow beyond the current car’s 2.0-liter displacement, as Mazda is committed to keeping the MX-5 weight as low as possible.

We’d guess an upcoming Miata hybrid will feature a 2.0-liter gas engine paired with Mazda’s new hybrid technology, with a total system output exceeding 200 horsepower.

With the addition of gas-electric hybrid technology to the Mazda Miata, the next-gen MX-5 NE may be a bit heavier than previous models. Still, the NE Miata hybrid should gain significant power over current and past MX-5 models to offset this potential weight gain.

Many would agree it’s time Mazda offers a more powerful engine in the next-generation Miata, even if it’s only an available option.

Expected NE Miata Release Date

We anticipate the NE Miata release date announcement to come sometime in 2026, with this next-gen MX-5 arriving as either a 2027 or 2028 model. Since the current ND Miata debuted for the 2016 model year, that puts the current generation’s production run at well over a decade.

Once the Mazda MX-5 NE release date arrives, this next-gen model should stick around for another 10-15 years, with several updates and upgrades over its life, including a potential first-ever Miata electric car. However, expect the NE Miata debut to bring only gas and hybrid options to start.

Will the Next-Gen MX-5 be Called the NE Miata?

There’s a lot of back-and-forth online regarding what the next-generation Miata will be called. The “NE Miata” is an obvious option, following the NA, NB, NC, and ND code structure that precedes it.

Some have pointed out that the Mazda-manufactured Fiat 124 Spider, or “Fiata,” has already used the NF and even NE codes in its VIN in certain markets (a quick search of these cars for sale in the States turned up only NF codes).

However, the Fiat 124 Spider VINs start with JC1NE or JC1NF, while the next-gen Miata would use Mazda’s VIN code structure and start with JM1NE, so sufficiently different VINs from the Fiat.

So, we’ll continue calling it the NE Miata unless Mazda itself announces otherwise.

Next-Gen Miata NE: Final Thoughts

Of course, we can only speculate on the next-gen MX-5 Miata NE until a concept, spy shots, or spec-sheet leak arrives. Or, perhaps Mazda will divulge more details about the development of its next Miata in the coming months.

But one thing is for sure: a next-generation Mazda Miata will be arriving, and it shouldn’t be much longer. Mazda execs have commented that they believe the MX-5 Miata, or Mazda Roadster, will continue to exist as an important model in the carmaker’s lineup well into the future; it will just have to change with the times.

What that means for the next-gen Miata and the long-term future of this roadster is uncertain. But we’re confident Mazda will find a way to make every future Miata model one of the most fun and engaging new cars on the road.

By following Mazda’s design philosophy of Jinba Ittai — horse and rider as one — and focusing on what’s made this simple and lightweight roadster a modern legend, the next-gen Miata NE is sure to be a pure driving machine on the road and the track.

We’ll be providing more Mazda news, updates, opinions, and speculation leading up to the NE Miata release date, so we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter below if you haven’t already.

You can also see our coverage of the new Skyactiv-Z four-cylinder engine technology expected to power the MX-5 Miata NE model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be an NE Miata?

Yes, Mazda executives have confirmed that the Miata will live on in the automaker’s lineup beyond the current ND Miata generation. As the MX-5 roadster has become a symbol of Mazda, its engineering prowess, and its passionate pursuit of maintaining the joy of driving, there’s no doubt that an NE Miata will arrive to replace the current model. Stay tuned to MazdaMotoring for Miata NE news and updates.

When is the expected NE Miata release date?

We anticipate the NE Miata release date will be announced in 2026, with this next-generation MX-5 roadster debuting as either a 2027 or 2028 model. Expect significant updates to the overall design and engine powering the upcoming fifth-generation Miata. Until then, the current ND Miata will live on with a minor refresh and updates. Subscribe to MazdaMotoring for NE Miata news.

Will there be a Miata hybrid model?

Until Mazda confirms or denies, we can only speculate that the upcoming Miata NE will offer a new gas-electric hybrid powertrain for the first time. This first-ever Miata hybrid model should also be supplemented by a pure gas engine model, continuing with a new Skyactiv-Z 2.0-liter engine, besting what’s found in the current ND Miata.

Will the NE Miata have a manual transmission?

Yes, the NE Miata will surely have a manual transmission option when it arrives in the coming years, likely sometime in 2027 or 2028. Whether the next-generation Miata NE continues on with a pure gas 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a new hybrid powertrain, or with both a gas and hybrid Miata option, we’re confident Mazda’s fifth-generation MX-5 roadster will offer both an automatic and manual gearbox.