Our Thoughts Exactly: 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata

The iconic Mazda MX-5 Miata…it’s as we’ve been here before!

Sometimes, we like to revisit a vehicle that we had a brief time with months ago. In this case, George took a 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring on Road America’s four-plus mile main course to put it through its paces. With the top down and a helmet on, George felt his way through this little roadster tackling Canada Corner, the Carousel, and all of the fun parts that points to what Road America calls itself as the “National Park of Speed.”

Sometime after his lap, we had a thought. What if we had this in our rotation of vehicles we work with, and take it on our own roads, highways, and so forth?

If you ask nicely, you will receive. 

The 2026 MX-5 Miata Grand Touring that arrived was exactly the same one George took onto Road America’s famous road course. Right down to the Deep Crystal Blue Mica paint job. 

The design of the ND generation of the MX-5 Miata is classic. That word does not point to the fact that Mazda continues to build their current iteration of this roadster since 2015. It still serves as a reminder of its intention and purpose as a car that has an exceptional power-to-weight ratio that draws enthusiasts to its clutches. 

True, the basic design has not changed in 11 years. Perhaps that is a good thing. It has been updated slightly in 2024, while retaining its overall identity. 

The basic body is low. The cloth roof is manually operated. However, this 2026 Grand Touring model wears more modern features such as LED headlights and taillights. The finishing touch is a set of 17-inch alloy wheels with performance tires mounted on them. 

The driver is treated to an honest-to-goodness cockpit to command this 2026 MX-5 Miata. The three-dial instrument cluster features an analog speedometer and tachometer – the latter is positioned in the middle. The third dial has a digital screen. There is plenty of controls that should be familiar to Mazda owners – all of which are tactile and logical. Manual transmission drivers will appreciate the short-throw shifter that is positioned perfectly for quick shifts. 

On top of the center stack is an 8.8-inch infotainment screen. Mostly, it is controlled by the Mazda Connect knob on the center console and its associated buttons. However, if you connect your smartphone, you can actually use the screen by touch. Bose loads nine speakers inside the small cabin, emitting a quality sound. 

The distinguishing feature on the 2026 MX-5 Miata Grand Touring is its tan Nappa leather upholstery and interior theme. This is an option on this model, but it does elevate the experience. The seats are supportive but only offer a few adjustments. Passengers on the right side of the 2026 MX-5 Miata’s cockpit will find two protrusions – the cupholder when installed and an extended hump coming from below the center console. Tall passengers with long legs might feel uncomfortable. 

If there is one additional benefit to the soft top is that it is accommodating for some taller torsos. Anyone taller than six-foot-two inches might be a bit challenged on the passenger side. 

The 181-horsepower 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder engine might not immediately scream “power-to-weight ratio.” That is until you learn that it only weighs 2,366 pounds. It also has a torque figure of 151 pound-feet. A six-speed manual transmission sends this power to the rear wheels. 

One thing it delivers is performance that punches above its weight. It absolutely fulfills its “power-to-weight” promise in terms of tackling curves and keeping up with traffic. However, we measured a 0-60 MPG sprint in 7.5 seconds. There may be some who might do better than us. On the other hand, we observed an average of 31.4 MPG in our care. 

The MX-5 Miata’s ride quality may seem firm, but it is very compliant on bumpy sections. It is also very planted, thanks to the Bilstein shocks that are equipped on this test vehicle. Uneven sections of road and highway will yield a lumpy feeling that makes the 2026 MX-5 Miata bounce. 

We also noticed how direct the steering inputs are. When cornering hard, the 2026 MX-5 Miata will grip very well until it starts to understeer. The steering system also delivers a direct on center feel with precision turns through your own input from the wheel. 

We felt that the brakes could use some improvement towards instilling confidence at the pedal and the calipers/rotors. Pedal feel was fine overall, as were stops in normal situations. 

The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata convertible comes in three trim levels – Sport, Club, and Grand Touring. It also comes in the retractable roof RF with a choice of Club or Grand Touring trim levels.  Pricing starts at $30,430. Our Grand Touring convertible model came with a sticker price of $37,265. 

Call it an icon. Call it the best roadster ever created – though, some might argue against that point. For 37 years and four generations, the 2026 MX-5 Miata has a magnetic pull that brings enthusiasts together of all ages. All with the desire to own an affordable roadster that delivers on power-to-weight performance. 

Is it a perfect sports machine? That depends on what you measure it against. Considering that most roadsters cost much more money, are much larger in size, and offer inherent exclusivity. the MX-5 Miata holds true to its mission while delivering fun. 

That last word is the best way to describe the MX-5 Miata. It induces smiles, joy, and life. That is why you have embraced this roadster for almost four decades – and still do today. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Mazda North America Operations – our opinions are of our own

All photos by George Torline and Randy Stern