While most long-running models face criticism as they age, the Mazda MX-5 Miata remains a beloved outlier. Despite the current ND generation being on the market for nearly a decade, fans are in no rush for a replacement. And honestly, who can blame them? New cars often get bulkier, heavier, and ditch the manual gearbox altogether — a fate the Miata looks set to avoid.
Masashi Nakayama, head of Mazda’s design division, recently told Road & Track that the next-generation Miata will stay true to its lightweight roots. The goal is to keep the car’s weight under 1,000 kilograms (about 2,205 pounds). For comparison, the lightest current version — Japan’s 990S edition — comes in at just 990 kg (2,183 lbs), thanks in part to its smaller 1.5-liter engine, which isn’t offered in the U.S.
So, if you’re hoping for a roomier interior in the next Miata, you might be out of luck. The car’s compact dimensions are here to stay. Nakayama confirmed it’ll remain under 157 inches (four meters) in length — similar to the current ND, which measures 154.1 inches (3.91 meters).
Under the hood, Mazda is sticking to its naturally aspirated roots. Chief Technical Officer Ryuichi Umeshita shared that the upcoming model won’t use a turbocharger, instead featuring a brand-new 2.5-liter Skyactiv-Z engine. This new four-cylinder is set to replace the 1.5 and 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engines and is described as offering both strong performance and excellent fuel efficiency.
For context, today’s Miata maxes out at 181 horsepower in most markets, though Japan recently received a 197-hp “12R” version. Umeshita noted that keeping a 2.0-liter displacement while adopting a new combustion method (called Lambda 1) would’ve lowered power output — something Mazda wasn’t willing to accept. The new 2.5-liter engine strikes a better balance, optimizing efficiency and emissions without sacrificing fun.
Best of all? The manual transmission is staying. Mazda knows its audience well, and the next Miata will continue to offer a clutch pedal — a rare and welcome choice in an increasingly automatic world.
What about an electric Miata? Mazda is exploring that path, but admits an EV version would be significantly heavier. A mild hybrid setup seems more likely, as it adds minimal weight. Full hybrids or plug-ins, on the other hand, could compromise the car’s lightweight philosophy.
There’s also hope that the larger engine could bring the Miata back to Europe in full force. The ND is currently sold there only with the 1.5-liter due to emissions restrictions. If the new 2.5-liter Skyactiv-Z comes with mild-hybrid support and meets Euro 7 regulations, it could mark a return of the more powerful variant to EU markets.
So, when can we expect the new Miata? Not just yet. The updated ND3 launched in 2024, and Mazda isn’t rushing things. The first car to feature the Skyactiv-Z engine — likely a hybrid version of the CX-5 — is expected in late 2027. That means the next-gen Miata probably won’t debut until sometime after that.
