The Breakdown
- Miata sales were up 7.7 percent last year.
- Demand has been stable throughout the ND generation.
- A new Miata is expected to arrive later this decade.
Usually, when a car approaches the end of its life cycle, its popularity begins to wane. However, sales figures show that the beloved Miata doesn’t follow that trend. It’s easy to see why, since the MX-5 doesn’t have a direct rival, although some buyers do cross-shop it with the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86. Sales data confirms that 2025 was a great year for the sporty convertible in the United States, broadly in line with previous levels.
Mazda is happy to report that demand for the Miata spiked by 7.7 percent last year, reaching 8,727 units. The BRZ we mentioned earlier mustered only 2,882 sales, while the GR86 had the best year of the three, with 9,940 units delivered. It’s important to note that the fourth generation has been around for a decade, as the ND originally went on sale in the third quarter of 2015. The fact that demand hasn’t really tapered off is a testament to its unique positioning in the shrinking sports car market.
A look back at how the Miata ND has fared in the U.S. over the years shows that 2017 was the model’s best year, with 11,294 units sold. Although Mazda couldn’t match that performance last year, the result is still solid given the vehicle’s venerable age. The year-over-year growth for the MX-5, however, wasn’t enough to offset a decline in overall sales. Shipments fell by 3.3 percent to 410,346 vehicles.
Looking ahead, Mazda hasn’t said when the next Miata will be released. The ND3’s launch in 2024 suggests this generation is sticking around for a few more years. Regardless of whether a rotary-powered sports car in the mold of past RX models ever materializes, the Japanese automaker has already confirmed that the MX-5 will continue.
Based on details shared through official sources, the next-generation model could be even lighter than the ND. A little over a year ago, Design Division General Manager Masashi Nakayama said the target is to keep the weight below 2,205 pounds (1,000 kilograms). Mazda has also hinted at giving the Miata a new, larger 2.5-liter Skyactiv-Z engine, paired with a manual gearbox.
The company’s Chief Technical Officer, Ryuichi Umeshita, has already assured purists that the new engine won’t be turbocharged, at least not in the next Miata. Since the Skyactiv-Z engine isn’t due until the end of 2027, we’re not expecting the new roadster to arrive before 2028 at the earliest.
| Sales | Year |
| 8,727 | 2025 |
| 8,103 | 2024 |
| 8,973 | 2023 |
| 6,171 | 2022 |
| 10,547 | 2021 |
| 8,807 | 2020 |
| 7,753 | 2019 |
| 8,971 | 2018 |
| 11,294 | 2017 |
| 9,465 | 2016 |
| 8,591 | 2015 |
Motor1's Take: We believe Mazda is in no hurry to replace the ND, given how well sales are holding up even after a decade. As a former ND2 RF owner, I fully understand the car’s appeal in an automotive world otherwise dominated by oversized, heavyweight SUVs.
The Miata is the antidote to car bloat and technology overload, designed for people who want to do one simple thing: drive.
