"Z-FOLD" SOFT TOP

A sports coupe? A two-seat roadster? The MX-5 Miata's "Z-fold" convertible top design combines the benefits of both into a sporty, versatile package.

Single, central hood latch can be locked and unlocked with one hand.
Driver can raise or lower the roof easily and quickly (2 seconds) while seated, thanks to the spring-loaded design.
Aerodynamically designed convertible top adds almost no weight to the body, making the MX-5 Miata the fastest car in its class.
Trunk space remains unaffected by top positioning, enabling more room for all your cargo.

NEXT: Power Retractable Hardtop

POWER RETRACTABLE HARDTOP

Release the latch and push a button: that's all it takes to convert the MX-5 Miata from an open-top sport roadster to a compact and aerodynamic coupe.

Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) folds up or down in a class-leading 12 seconds*, and adds only 77 lbs. to the car’s already-light total weight.
Doesn't compromise or obstruct trunk space, thanks to smart design.

*Once latch is released. Based on published times.

NEXT: Shape & Contours

SHAPE & CONTOURS

Legendary shape, contour and design – the MX-5 Miata pays homage to the original Miata, while sculpting a modern look all its own.

Oval headlamps flow into the smooth lines and echo the taillights' classic shape.
Wider track is complimented by the prominently flared fender.
Reflective seatback bars provide a striking, cool look when viewed from the rear.

NEXT: Wheels

WHEELS

Show off the speediness of the MX-5 Miata – even when you're not moving.

16-inch, 5-spoke alloy wheels set the SV and Sport models apart from the crowd.
Touring and Grand Touring models feature premium 17-inch alloy wheels with a 10-spoke design.

NEXT: "Z-Fold" Soft Top

INSTRUMENT PANEL & CONSOLE

The classic Miata “T-shaped” instrument panel has every detail of a top sports car integrated into a bold, sleek design.

Backlit chrome-ringed gauges rest in the six o'clock position, an homage to racing tradition.
Shifter position is optimized based on test driver biosensor data.
A-Pillars are placed out of the sight line, to ensure the widest field of vision while driving.

NEXT: Steering Wheel

STEERING WHEEL

A sports car as refined as the MX-5 Miata wouldn't be complete without the perfect steering wheel to guide it.

Sleek, 3-spoke design feels sporty, and offers a clear view of the gauges.
Built-in controls for audio and cruise control keep your attention focused on the road; available on MX-5 Miata soft top and standard on MX-5 Miata Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT).
Custom rim shape of the steering wheel is the result of biosensor tests to measure muscle tension during enthusiastic driving.

NEXT: Seats

SEATS

Feel absolute command and comfort with the luxurious seating of the MX-5 Miata.

Comfortable seats feature a solid, lightweight and safe backbone of ultra-high tensile steel.
Leather seats and trim lend the feel of premium comfort, standard on the Grand Touring.
Driver's seat height adjuster brings you perfectly level with the road.

NEXT: Storage

STORAGE

Finally, a sports car with enough storage space to bring your life along for the ride.

Large glove box and a central, lockable compartment provides room for your belongings.
Net pocket on passenger’s side of the center console and compartments behind each seat offer plenty of extra storage; not available on MX-5 Miata Power Retractable Hard Top.
Bottle holders in each door and dual cup holders in the center console.

NEXT: Instrument Panel

WEIGHT

Balance: it's the essence of design in the MX-5 Miata, and the driving force behind this lightweight, yet powerful and dexterous vehicle.

The "gram strategy": every single component of the MX-5 Miata is weighed, and even the slightest amount of weight is shaved off wherever possible.
Low center of gravity, with heavier components housed low in the chassis for improved handling and balance.
Lightweight construction utilizes high and ultra-high tensile steel, and aluminum on upper portions, making the MX-5 Miata the lightest car in its class.

NEXT: Balance

BALANCE

Mazda engineers literally hung the MX-5 Miata prototype from a chain to determine its perfect center point. Why? All to flawlessly balance the weight ratio and create the best possible driving experience.

When seated, the driver actually provides the necessary weight to achieve near perfect 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution.
Bulk weight is concentrated around center of the chassis, reducing polar inertia and increasing precision handling capabilities.

NEXT: Powertrain

POWERTRAIN

The MX-5 Miata's available 6-speed manual transmission and sport tuned suspension makes shifting from first to sixth gear a breeze.

All-aluminum 2.0L DOHC in-line 4-cylinder engine churns out 166 hp with a 6-speed MT engine (158 hp with 6-speed AT).
Variable valve timing and variable induction combat acceleration lag and boost power across the rev range.
Lightweight crankshaft and flywheel reduce engine inertia to provide sharp response at any speed.
Pristine control and blurring speed are now in the palm of your hand, with an available 6-speed manual transmission.
Available 6-speed Sport AT can be controlled by both shift lever and optional shift paddles on the steering wheel.
Limited-slip differential provides for better, more dynamic grip during sport driving; available on Touring and Grand Touring models.

NEXT: Suspensions

SUSPENSIONS

Navigate every turn and bend of the road seamlessly, thanks to the advanced suspension of the MX-5 Miata.

Front suspension features a breakthrough mono-tube shock absorber with double aluminum wishbone construction resulting in lower, un-sprung weight.
Rear suspension updates intelligent Mazda RX-8 multilink design with lighter parts and frame-specific construction.

NEXT: Brake System

BRAKE SYSTEM

The MX-5 Miata prides itself on its top-notch braking system, because great speed demands even greater control.

Impeccable brake response, due to short pedal travel and linear pedal force responsiveness.
11.4-inch ventilated disc brakes control the front wheels, and 11-inch disc brakes reign in the rear.
All 4 wheels are kept in check by aluminum single-piston calipers.

NEXT: Miles Per Gallon

STRUCTURAL SAFETY

The rigid structure of the MX-5 Miata provides a solid foundation for driving safety, in all forms.

Body structure based on the Mazda Advanced Impact-Energy Distribution and Absorption. System (MAIDAS) to deliver exceptional front-, side- and rear-impact safety.
Structural bars behind the headrests and windshield header can support 2 and 2.7 times the vehicle's weight, respectively.

NEXT: Front Air Bags

FRONT AIR BAGS

Even standard air bags in the MX-5 Miata have impeccable design.

Driver's advanced front air bags adjust deployment force relative to the driver's position and weight, reducing potential harm.
The passenger-side air bag has an occupant classification occupant sensor, for the safety of the smallest and most vulnerable.

Always wear your seat belt and deactivate the passenger air bag when a child is in the passenger seat.

NEXT: Side Air Bags

SIDE AIR BAGS

Industry-leading innovation isn’t just for the engine bay – it also surrounds the passengers of the MX-5 Miata in the form of intelligent side air bags.

Standard side air bags provide coverage and safety for the arms and torso.
Separate chambers inflate each air bag section simultaneously, each with optimal pressure and deflation timing.

NEXT: Standard Safety

STANDARD SAFETY

Safety isn't just a larger idea – it's in all the details of the MX-5 Miata.

Available Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) shifts power and maintains driving control in even the toughest conditions.
Four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) prevents steering from locking-up when it's needed most.
Tire-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) informs you of under-inflated or flat tires, and available run-flat tires ensure you get to your destination safely.

NEXT: Structural Safety

EXTERIOR FEATURES

The legendary, one-of-a-kind look of the MX-5 Miata is made up of exterior flourishes both large and small.

Available body-colored, Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) with 12-second retract time, aluminum bonnet hood and a steel trunk lid to reinforce the body, define the tone and shape of the MX-5 Miata; others in its class only offer a soft top option.
Halogen fog lights and Xenon High-Intensity-Discharge (HID) low-beam headlights bring a bright element to the front end.
Silver-trimmed seat-back bar and a rear glass window provide classy accents to the hard top.

NEXT: Interior Features

INTERIOR FEATURES

The perfect environment of comfort, refinement and sport – Mazda overlooked nothing in creating a sophisticated, detailed interior for the very distinctive, MX-5 Miata.

Heated leather seats and a smooth, leather-wrapped steering wheel are standard on the Grand Touring.
Silver-trimmed, full instrument panel features a tachometer, temperature and oil pressure gauges, and a fuel indicator, all with striking design.
With top up or down, the MX-5 Miata is the only retractable hardtop that doesn’t sacrifice trunk space due to smart design.

NEXT: Exterior Features

MX-5 Miata: Still Beyond Compare

Experience the road the way it was meant to be, with the MX-5 Miata: top down, top speed, tops in its class. The competition just bottomed out.

Car and Driver called the MX-5 "the best roadster" and named it among the "10Best Cars 2008."
Available Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) folds up or down in 12 seconds flat.
Super-light, aluminum 2.0L 166-hp engine.