Few cars have inspired as much loyalty and admiration as the Mazda MX-5 Miata — the lightweight, rear-wheel-drive roadster that has defined pure driving pleasure for over three decades. For 2025, Mazda isn’t tearing up the rulebook. Instead, it’s perfecting it.
Rather than a complete redesign, the 2025 Miata represents careful evolution over revolution, refining the elements that enthusiasts love most: nimble handling, minimalist design, and unfiltered connection between driver and machine.
Celebrating 35 Years: The Anniversary Edition
The highlight of the 2025 lineup is the 35th Anniversary Edition, a special tribute to one of the most iconic sports cars ever built. Limited to just 300 units for the U.S. market, this edition embodies craftsmanship, exclusivity, and nostalgia.
Finished in Artisan Red Metallic with a beige soft top and tan Nappa leather seats, it radiates understated elegance. A serialized 35th Anniversary badge on the fender marks its collectible status.
Priced at $36,250 (USD), this Miata isn’t about chasing numbers — it’s about celebrating heritage. It’s a love letter to enthusiasts who appreciate the artistry of analog driving in an increasingly digital world.
Exterior Design: Subtle Refinement, Classic Soul
The 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata stays true to the timeless proportions that have made it a design icon: compact, low-slung, and beautifully balanced.
For 2025, Mazda introduces subtle but meaningful exterior updates. The front fascia now features sleeker LED headlamps with a more focused look, paired with a reworked grille that adds sharpness to the Miata’s smile. The body retains its elegant curves, now complemented by cleaner aerodynamics and a redesigned rear diffuser for improved high-speed stability.
New alloy wheel designs, a choice of vibrant colors, and refined body lines modernize the roadster without losing its identity. It’s still instantly recognizable as a Miata — only a little more mature, a little more purposeful.
Engine & Performance: Lightweight Purity, Perfected
At the heart of every Miata lies its greatest secret: it’s not about power, but about balance.
Under the hood, the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four returns, delivering 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. Power may seem modest in the age of 500-hp sports cars, but the Miata’s magic lies in its weight — barely over 2,400 lbs (1,100 kg).
Paired with a crisp six-speed manual gearbox, the car offers one of the most engaging driving experiences on sale. An optional six-speed automatic remains available for those who prefer convenience, though purists will always reach for the clutch pedal.
For 2025, Mazda has fine-tuned the suspension and steering response, enhancing feedback and cornering precision. The result is a car that feels more planted yet every bit as alive as ever — agile, communicative, and ready to dance through the corners.
Driving Experience: Pure Connection
Driving the 2025 MX-5 Miata is a reminder of what modern sports cars often forget — simplicity is intoxicating.
Drop the top, shift into gear, and the Miata becomes an extension of you. The steering is direct, the gear lever clicks into place with mechanical satisfaction, and the chassis balance makes every curve feel effortless.
On a winding mountain road, it’s pure bliss. The car flows from apex to apex, light on its feet yet stable, every input rewarded with precision. Even at moderate speeds, the Miata feels thrilling — not because it’s fast, but because it’s alive.
The open-air design amplifies that emotion: the wind, the exhaust note, and the tactile joy of driving make the 2025 Miata one of the few truly analog experiences left in an increasingly digital automotive world.
Interior: Tradition Meets Modern Comfort
Step inside the 2025 Miata, and you’re greeted by a cabin that’s as functional as it is intimate. It’s still compact, but thoughtful ergonomics ensure comfort without excess.
Mazda has refined the materials and finish quality, introducing soft-touch surfaces, updated trims, and new tan Nappa leather for higher trims. The seats have been re-sculpted for improved lumbar support, ideal for long drives or spirited canyon runs.
A new infotainment system headlines the updates — featuring a larger touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice command support.
Despite the tech upgrades, the cabin remains uncluttered. The driver-centric layout emphasizes focus and simplicity, reminding you that every control, every switch, is there for the joy of driving — nothing more, nothing less.
Chassis, Handling & Dynamics
Mazda engineers have made small but impactful adjustments to the Miata’s suspension geometry and electric power steering calibration. The result? Sharper response and smoother transitions in corners.
The Bilstein dampers (standard on Club and Anniversary trims) provide improved body control without compromising ride comfort. The Miata’s 50:50 weight distribution ensures predictability, while its light frame translates every steering input into precise movement.
Even compared to pricier roadsters, few cars offer this level of tactile connection. The 2025 Miata isn’t about brute force — it’s about the art of balance.
Technology & Safety
Mazda continues to integrate technology subtly, preserving the Miata’s analog character while adding modern convenience.
Safety and driver-assist features include:
- Blind-Spot Monitoring (BSM)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Smart City Brake Support
Every Miata also comes with automatic emergency braking and improved LED lighting systems, ensuring safety without compromising performance or weight.
Verdict: The Spirit of the Miata Lives On
The 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata doesn’t try to reinvent itself — and that’s exactly why it succeeds. Mazda understands that the Miata isn’t about massive horsepower or luxury gimmicks; it’s about the purity of driving.
The 35th Anniversary Edition serves as a heartfelt nod to the past, while updates to steering, suspension, and technology make this the most complete version of the current generation. It’s smoother, sharper, and more refined — yet unmistakably a Miata at heart.
Looking forward, Mazda has hinted that the next-generation Miata (potentially the NE platform) will continue to use a naturally aspirated engine, possibly paired with mild-hybrid technology — ensuring the car’s essence endures in an electrified era.
For now, though, the 2025 Miata is a reminder that driving pleasure doesn’t need 600 horsepower or a turbocharger. It needs balance, feedback, and freedom — and that’s something Mazda still delivers better than anyone.
Key Highlights — 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata:
- 35th Anniversary Edition (limited to 300 units)
- 2.0L NA inline-four engine (181 hp)
- Six-speed manual or automatic transmission
- Lightweight chassis & 50:50 balance
- Upgraded infotainment with wireless connectivity
- Refined styling with new LED headlights & colors
- Starts at ~$30,000; 35th Anniversary Edition: $36,250