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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Everyday Life • Automotive

Mazda MX-5

The Mazda MX-5 is a two-seat roadster produced by Mazda since 1989.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

The Mazda MX-5 is a two-seat roadster produced by Mazda since 1989, known for its lightweight rear-wheel-drive layout and minimalist sports-car design. It is the best-selling two-seat convertible sports car in history.

What it is

The MX-5 is a two-door convertible sports car, sold as the Miata in North America and as the Roadster or Eunos Roadster in Japan. It debuted at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show and has remained in continuous production across four generations (NA, NB, NC, ND). The current generation entered production in 2015.

Why it matters

The MX-5 revived the lightweight roadster concept with a focus on simplicity, balanced handling, and driving enjoyment. Its design philosophy, *jinba ittai* (unity of horse and rider), emphasizes a direct connection between driver and car. It has sold over one million units, making it the best-selling two-seat convertible sports car globally.

Key details

The MX-5 is front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, and assembled in Hiroshima, Japan. It is available as a soft-top convertible or a retractable fastback. In Canada, it is sold under the Miata name and is a familiar model in enthusiast markets.

In short

  • Introduced in 1989 and still in production.
  • Lightweight, rear-wheel-drive, two-seat roadster.
  • Four generations: NA, NB, NC, ND.
  • Best-selling two-seat convertible sports car in history.
Canadian angle

The Mazda MX-5 is sold in Canada under the Miata name and is a familiar model in Canadian sports-car and enthusiast markets.

Quick questions

What is the Miata?
Miata is the North American name for the Mazda MX-5, a two-seat roadster produced by Mazda since 1989.
Is the MX-5 still in production?
Yes. Mazda has produced the MX-5 continuously since 1989.
How many generations of MX-5 are there?
There are four generations, usually identified as NA, NB, NC, and ND.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_MX-5
    Supports: Production history, naming, debut, class, and general description
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_MX-5_(NA)
    Supports: Miata naming for North America and first-generation identification
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_MX-5_(ND)
    Supports: Current generation, production start, body styles, and assembly location