The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a car that doesn’t need an introduction. The small Japanese roadster is one of the most influential sports cars ever made since it took the formula of the British lightweight roadster and improved every aspect of it. Moreover, it prompted other legacy automakers to come up with their own compact, sporty roadster. Without Mazda’s epic move, cars like the BMW Z3, Audi TT, and even Honda S2000, probably, wouldn’t have existed.
The small Mazda has come a long way since its inception in 1989 but still adheres to the same formula of simplicity and lightness. The current, fourth-generation dubbed the ND, has been around since 2015, and has already undergone two facelifts – once in 2018, and later in 2021. We have been getting reports about the fifth-generation Mazda Miata finally succumbing to the electrification trend, but Mazda doesn’t say much more than that. We have got the latest updates on the Mazda MX-5 from the Japanese outlet, BestCarWeb, and here’s what they are.
There Will Indeed Be An Electrified Mazda MX-5
Mazda never hid that, eventually, the Mazda Miata will adopt electrification, but until recently, we had no answer as to what degree of electrification the fifth-generation MX-5 will feature. We know the electrified Miata is coming out for the 2026 model year and will feature a 48-volt Mild-hybrid system. A while back, we discussed how this is the only electrification option for the Mazda MX-5 since any more than that would result in the compact roadster becoming too heavy.
Last year, we learned that Mazda is working hard at making the next-generation Miata even lighter, likely, to accommodate for the addition of the new, hybrid powertrain. This discovery was first reported by the Japanese publication, BestCarWeb, back in November 2022. We don’t have exact weight figures, but Mazda is reportedly gunning for a target figure of under 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg), which will be even lighter than the current, MX-5 with the soft convertible top.
The Gas-Powered MX-5 Will Live On After All
It’s clear that Mild-hybrid vehicles drive, pretty much, like regular ICE-powered vehicles. This means that the SKYACTIV engines will continue to power the MX-5. We have already seen Mazda’s Mild-hybrid technology at work in models like the CX-30 and CX-60 SUVs, with some of them even having the option to turn off half the cylinders. According to BestCarWeb, Mazda is targeting 100 horsepower or more per liter, meaning a power output increase of 10 to 20 percent. This means that the 2.0-liter Miata will feature at least 200 horsepower in its future iteration.
As a bonus, the Mazda MX-5 is already the most fuel-efficient sports car you can buy. The Mazda ND Miata gets over 25 MPG around town and 40 MPG on the highway. Even when having fun around 30 MPG is still achievable. Mild-hybrid technology is expected to improve fuel economy by at least five percent. In terms of straight-line performance, the current Miata can sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.2 seconds and that’s on a non-prepped surface. The Mild-hybrid Miata has a real chance to reach the high-five-second range.
What to Expect from the 2026 Mazda Miata
- 100 or more horsepower per liter
- 48-Volt Mild-hybrid
- The familiar 2.0-liter SKYACTIV engine
- Lighter weight
- Even better fuel economy
- 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds or less
As it stands, a fully-electric Mazda Miata is one of those upcoming Japanese sports cars, that will not happen for a while, meaning we can enjoy the Miata in its, largely, old-school guise, for another generation. The familiar SKYACTIV 2.0-liter engine will continue to serve but as part of a Mild-hybrid setup.
In terms of transmission options, the current model’s six-speed manual and six-speed automatic will continue to be on offer. It is unlikely that Mazda will grace the MX-5 with the new, eight-speed automatic. The minor extent of hybridization also assures that the Mazda Miata will remain the most affordable sports car on sale, followed by Toyota’s GR86.