Mazda has reigned supreme in the affordable sports car arena with its kindly adored Mazda MX-5 Miata for decades, inviting long-standing love affairs with automotive enthusiasts generation after generation.
Fast-forward to 2027 and Mazda is gearing up launch the next chapter in this legendary roadster’s history.
The next 2027 Mazda MX-5 is not just a forward evolution of design and performance, but more a balancing act of respecting tradition while embracing the automotive future.
So, dig in deep to see what makes this next-gen Miata so special and what drivers can expect from it once it hits the roads.
The Miata Legacy: Driving Joy Through the Years
Before diving into the new territory, we must acknowledge the journey that got us here. Mazda MX-5 has wowed the world since 1989, resuscitating the simple, lightweight British roadster recipe that had all but disappeared.
Over four generations — the NA (1989-1997), NB (1998-2005), NC (2005-2015) and the current ND (2016-present) — the MX-45 has remained resolutely committed to its “Jinba Ittai” philosophy, the Japanese word for horse and rider as one.
For each iteration, the basic character of the car has been preserved while subtly altered to meet the changes of the times.
The current ND generation is arguably the purest expression of the Miata ethos yet, especially after its most recent power boost to 181 horsepower in 2019. This leaves spectacularly big shoes for the fifth-gen model to fill.
Design: Familiar, but Looking Ahead
Exterior Design: Edgier, More Dramatic
The outside look 2027 MX-5 is an interesting evolution that may look dirt “Miata” but also beats the visible envelope.
Mazda designers have also leaned into slightly more angular lines and sharper creases, especially at the front fascia, which features slimmer, more aggressive LED headlights that give a little bit of a thuggish squint that stands in contrast to previous generations’ more cheery faces.
The signature curved fenders are still there, but they feature more dramatic contours, which enhance the visual width and stance of the car.
The hood looks long and sculpted, with subtle power bulges that suggest underlying engineering. In profile, the 2027 MX-5 sticks with classic roadster proportions, with a long hood, short deck, and driver sitting close to the rear axle.
Perhaps even more important, the new design has kept subtle aero elements enshrined in it, which enhance downforce without needlessly compromising the clean lines that have made the MX-5 (Miata in North America) so timeless.
Small air ducts ahead of the front wheels reduce turbulence, and a more integrated rear diffuser manages air flow underneath the car.
Interior: Driver-Centric Minimalism with Modern Tech
Inside, Mazda also is making its upmarket move with materials and build quality that are miles above the MX-5’s price point. It keeps the driver-oriented cockpit but with a more horizontally oriented dashboard layout that plays up the width of the cabin.
Physical controls remain plentiful — a conscious decision to retain the tactile connection between driver and machine that is key to the Miata experience.
The new interior strikes a balance between analog charm and digital expediency. The larger infotainment screen, measuring 9.2 inches (234 millimeters), stands prominently on top of the center console — but can be disabled entirely for purists looking for distraction-free driving.
And the gauge cluster pairs old-school analog dials with a customizable 5-inch digital display that reveals only what the driver wants to know.
Seat positions are refined so they remain as snug but comfy to the MX-5 as ever, with slightly more adjustability to suit a wider range of driver heights.
Available Nappa leather with contrast stitching and aluminum trim pieces that develop a light patina over time help create an upscale feel as the car ages and matures with its owner.
Getting into the Soul of the MX-5 Experience
Powertrain Choices: Going Electric But Keeping The Character
The biggest change is under the hood, where Mazda has taken the long-overdue step from the petrol station to the charging pad. The 2027 MX-5 will be available with two powertrains as part of a deliberate transition phase for the beloved roadster:
The standard offering is a mild-hybrid 2.0-liter SkyActiv-X inline-four engine said to make about 200 horsepower.
The ingenious setup incorporates Mazda’s compression ignition tech here alongside a 48-volt electrical system that adds torque fill low in the revs, helping to enhance both responsiveness and efficiency. The electric assist is tuned to complement the engine’s natural character, not to disguise it.
More provocatively, Mazda will also introduce an all-electric version called the MX-5 Electron. This model features a small 55 kWh battery pack and a single rear-mounted motor rated for 215 hp.
Key to preserving the MX-5’s character, engineers have obsessively attended to weight distribution, keeping the battery modules low and centralized in the chassis. The Electron tips the scales at roughly 2,580 pounds — around 220 pounds more than its combustion sibling, but still quite light by EV standards.
Both powertrains can be mated to Mazda’s can’t miss six-speed manual transmission, with the electric version using an inventive single-speed gearbox that simulates higher gears by manipulating the motor control software, which allows for the same level of tactile involvement that makes the MX-5 so special.
The hybrid version still gets a conventional six-speed automatic as an option.
Chassis Hardware and Handling: The Miata Magic Lives On
Underneath, the new MX-5 is built on an evolved version of the current car’s platform that keeps double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear setup.
Nevertheless, extensive use of aluminum and composite materials has increased structural stiffness by 18 percent while absolutely minimizing weight gain.
The steering is now electrically assisted and retuned with a quicker ratio and better feedback. Mazda engineers have been known to obsess over steering feel and the amount of time spent on tuning the system is spent trying to preserve the organic link between driver input and vehicle response that makes the MX-5 so fun to drive.
Stopping performance is enhanced with larger rotors and stiffer calipers, while the hybrid model includes regenerative braking, which feels intuitive and progressive after careful tuning.
The electric version has multiple levels of regeneration to customize the experience.
Technology: Making Things Better & Not Making Things Worse
Bluetooth Connectivity and Infotainment: Plugs But Not Loud
Mazda’s “car as an extension of the body and mind” philosophy in its technology package for the 2027 MX-5.
The latest version of Mazda Connect also offers seamless smartphone integration, wireless charging and over-the-air update capability, but the interface puts a premium on reducing distraction.
Voice commands have improved by leaps and bounds, letting drivers keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
A head-up display is new and standard and projects key information where drivers can see it through the windshield.
The feature can be customized to display as much or as little information as you want, ranging from simple speed readouts to full navigation guidance and performance metrics.
Driver Assistance: There, but Not Overbearing
All modern safety systems are well covered, with automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assistance standard.
That said, these systems are some of the least intrusive of the competition, stepping in only when they really have to and never diminishing the driving experience. One-button for all driver aids off for track days or the spirited backroads.
(1) Market Position & Price: Affordable Quality
Mazda’s strategy of offering premium experiences at for-the-masses prices will remain with the 2027 MX-5. The base trim — Sport with the hybrid powertrain — should start around $33,000, great value given the car’s performance potential and refinement.
The top performance-oriented Club trim runs you about $36,000, and includes hardware like Bilstein dampers and a limited-slip differential, while the Grand Touring trim with more luxury touches tops out the range at around $40,000.
The electric MX-5 Electron is expected to be priced at the premium end, starting at $42,000, but federal and state incentives may lower effective pricing to approach the high-end combustion models.
The Essence of a Sports Car, Safeguarded for a New Generation
The truly remarkable thing about the 2027 Mazda MX-5 is not what has changed, but what hasn’t.
In an automotive world that is getting bodgier and more complicated by the minute, whose cars increasingly isolate drivers from the road, the MX-5 is an unrepentant lightweight, committed to simple, tactile engagement.
The fifth-gen incarnate of Mazda’s two-seat Miata shows that the company knows that the very essence of the iconic roadster is the bond forged between man and machine, not necessarily the guts in the soundtrack.
Armed with advanced internal combustion or electric motors, the 2027 MX-5 will put the pure, unadulterated joy of driving first, just like the Miata has for over 30 years.
While we impatiently await its formal arrival, one thing remains obvious: a good time behind the wheel is still in the Miata’s DNA, and this new car is primed to inspire a new generation of driving enthusiasts. 2027 Mazda MX-5 review: The evolution of an icon
The 2027 Mazda MX-5: FAQs and Info
Is the 2027 MX-5 going to come with a manual transmission?
Yes, the hybrid and electric variant both, will offer manual-style transmissions, with the electric model also using out of the box tech to simulate gear changes.
How much will the 2027 Mazda MX-5 MSRP?
Pricing should start in the ballpark of $33,000 for the base model, while the electric version should begin at around $42,000 (before incentives).
What is the electric MX-5’s range?
The MX-5 Electron is expected to provide around 220 miles of range on a full charge.
So, is the 2027 MX-5 larger than the current model? No, the exterior dimensions are practically the same, aside from minor track width increases for improved stability.