The Four Mazda MX-5 Miata Generations

The Mazda MX-5 Miata Generations: A Look at the 4 Generations So Far

We’re taking a look at the four Mazda MX-5 Miata generations to determine once and for all which iteration is the greatest of them all. That is, until an all-new fifth generation of the Mazda Miata arrives.

On second thought, we won’t be ranking them here; the best Miata generation ultimately comes down to personal preferences anyway. But let’s review the four generations of the Miata, affectionately called the NA, NB, NC and ND Miatas.

The MX-5 Miata is a roadster that has been manufactured by Mazda since 1989. It was designed to be lightweight and fun to drive and has become one of the most popular sports cars in the world. In fact, it’s the best-selling sports car of all time.

Mazda has produced four generations of its MX-5 Miata roadster to date, each featuring distinctive characteristics that help separate it from Miata models that came before or after it.

The NA Miata was the first generation of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, followed by the NB in 1999, and the NC in 2006. The most recent change was to the ND generation in 2016. Each version has added features and technologies while retaining the original MX-5 Miata principles of lightweight, affordable and fun.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each of the Mazda MX-5 Miata generations.

NA Miata (1990 to 1997)

The first-generation Mazda MX-5 or NA Miata debuted in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show and went into production for the 1990 model year. It featured a lightweight body and a compact inline 4-cylinder engine. The initial production run of the NA Miata was for export only but it eventually became available in Japan as well.

The original MX-5 Miata featured distinctive pop-up headlights and was inspired by classic British roadsters, chiefly the Lotus Elan. The car began an instant hit for Mazda, ushering in a new golden age of small, sporty roadsters in the ’90s, with the Miata as the undisputed frontrunner.

The NA Miata began with a small, 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder, with a larger 1.8-liter inline-four following in later years. While neither engine produced impressive horsepower or torque numbers, the NA Miata’s low weight meant it was incredibly agile, sporty and fun to drive.

Today, many car enthusiasts see the original NA Miata as the purest form of the iconic Mazda roadster. It was the smallest, the simplest and the first Miata, so it’s no surprise that the NA holds a very special place for Miata aficionados and classic car fans alike.

NB Miata (1999 to 2005)

The NB Miata was introduced in 1999, and was heavily based on the original NA Miata, but with an updated and upgraded exterior and interior design. Gone were the iconic ’90s pop-up headlights of the NA; in place were rounded fixed headlights.

The main difference between the NA and NB generations was cosmetic. But the latter also received Mazda’s 1.8-liter inline-four engine straight out of the gate.

The Miata NB generation was also the first Miata to receive a significant mid-cycle refresh, something that would happen again with its successor, the NC Miata.

Dubbed the NB1 and NB2, the two series’ of the NB generation were nearly identical, but with the NB2 featuring a more aggressive, stylized exterior, including more shapely headlights.

The only factory-turbocharged MX-5 Miata came during the NB2 years of the second generation. The NB Miata was available with a turbocharged version of its 1.8-liter, with the resulting model named the Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata, arriving in the final years of NB Miata production.

NC Miata (2006 to 2015)

The NC Miata, which followed in 2006, saw more significant changes, including a switch to a six-speed manual transmission (instead of a five-speed unit) and an increase in power output. This generation was the first complete redesign, as the NB was based on the same chassis as the original NA Miata.

Mazda’s NC Miata was highlighted by a new, more potent 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine. With the more powerful engine came larger dimensions and an increase in the Miata’s curb weight. However, the minor increase in weight due to the car’s dimensions and added safety equipment was offset by the more powerful engine.

Mazda’s iconic roadster grew in size during the NC generation for multiple reasons.

Firstly, it was to cater to a wider global audience that wanted a convertible that was a bit more spacious and easier to live with as a daily driver but still had that Miata fun factor.

And two, Mazda had developed the NC Miata on the same platform as its new rotary-powered wonder, the Mazda RX-8. The RX-8’s chassis was shortened so that Mazda could build two sports cars on one platform, thereby saving on development costs.

Like the NB Miata before it, the NC generation had multiple versions or series over its long production run from 2006 to 2015. This time, though, Mazda produced three distinct versions of the years: the NC1, NC2 and NC3, each featuring subtle design updates.

To this day, the NC Miata is still the only MX-5 generation to offer a fully retractable hardtop. The NA and NB Miata offered a fixed hardtop, and the latest ND generation can be had as a retractable fastback with a removable center targa top.

ND Miata (2016 to Today)

The fourth and most recent generation of the Miata, the ND, was introduced in 2016. It featured an all-new design inside and out, as well as a new Skyactiv 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine. This generation also marked the return of the retractable hardtop roof option, but this time, in a targa-top design instead of a fully retractable hardtop.

The retractable fastback or RF edition of the MX-5 Miata was introduced to expand this roadster lineup to include a coupe-like design.

A special 100th Anniversary edition MX-5 Miata was released for the 2020 model year to celebrate the automaker’s 100th birthday since its founding in Hiroshima, Japan, in 1920.

Like the original NA Miata, the ND Miata has not received a significant facelift or refresh, but only a boost in power output during its mid-cycle update. This lightweight roadster saw a significant power increase, up to 181 horsepower from the model’s initial 155 hp.

What other updates might unfold before the end of the Miata ND generation? Will there be a fresh new face on next year’s ND Miata? That likely depends on when the next-generation MX-5 roadster will arrive.

Next-Generation MX-5 Miata?

Mazda has been tight-lipped about the next generation of the MX-5 Miata, but there have been some rumors swirling around.

The biggest rumor is that the next MX-5 Miata will be a hybrid. This makes sense given Mazda’s recent push toward electrification – however, nothing has been confirmed by Mazda yet.

Another rumor is that the next MX-5 Miata will be lighter and smaller than the current ND generation. This would help improve fuel economy and performance without the need for a heavier hybrid powertrain.

We’ll just have to wait and see what Mazda has in store for us with the next generation of the MX-5 Miata. Until then, we can simply enjoy all that the first four Mazda MX-5 Miata generations have to offer.

If you’re looking to sell your Mazda Miata and buy another one, be sure to see our Mazda auctions.

We also offer Mazda classified ad listings in addition to our auctions, so you can choose how to shop for your next Miata or sell your current one.