The Mazda MX-5 Gen Mazda Miata. The name alone conjures images of winding mountain roads, a setting sun, and the pure, unadulterated joy of open-top motoring. For over three decades, the Miata has been the automotive world’s ultimate affirmation that fun doesn’t require a six-figure price tag or triple-digit horsepower figures. Its success is built upon a simple, yet profoundly effective philosophy: lightweight, accessible, and perfectly balanced.
With the current ND generation nearing the end of its lifecycle, the automotive world is buzzing with speculation about its successor—the fifth-generation, or ‘NE,’ Miata. Mazda has the unenviable task of modernizing a legend in a world rapidly transitioning to electrification and stricter safety regulations, all without losing the Jinba Ittai soul that defines the car. Jinba Ittai, the Japanese concept of “horse and rider as one,” is the Miata’s spiritual core, and maintaining that oneness is the most important item on Mazda’s to-do list.
The next-gen Miata is expected to arrive sometime between 2026 and 2028, and while Mazda’s executives have thankfully confirmed their dedication to keeping the car small and light, and retaining the manual transmission, there are five specific, critical elements that enthusiasts and purists absolutely need to see in the new roadster to ensure its legend continues.
Electrification Without Weight Penalty: The Zero-Sum Game
The most significant challenge facing the next-gen Mazda Miata is the inevitable march of electrification. Mazda has openly stated its commitment to electrifying its entire lineup, and the Miata is not exempt. Rumors point to a mild-hybrid system, possibly a 48-volt setup paired with a new Skyactiv-Z engine or an updated 2.0-liter, as the most likely path forward. This is essential for meeting global emissions standards, but it comes with a major, car-defining risk: weight.
The Sacred Target: Under 2,200 Pounds
The current ND Miata is a featherweight champion, tipping the scales at just over 2,300 pounds (in its lightest forms). The addition of a battery pack, a motor-generator unit, and supporting electronics for a mild-hybrid setup could easily add 100 to 200 pounds, a death blow to a car whose performance is entirely dependent on its lightweight design. Mazda’s chief technical officer, Ryuichi Umeshita, is reportedly obsessed with lightness, with some speculation suggesting the target curb weight is under 2,200 pounds, making it even lighter than the current model.
Engineering Innovation: A Miata-Specific Hybrid
To achieve this zero-sum game—gaining hybrid components while shedding weight overall—Mazda will need to employ extreme engineering measures.
Advanced Materials: We need to see an even greater use of aluminum and high-strength, lightweight steel in the chassis and body panels. This is where the core investment should be made.
Minimalist Components: Every part, from the brake calipers to the seat frames, must be scrutinized for weight savings. The Miata doesn’t need a massive battery; it needs a perfectly integrated, small, and lightweight mild-hybrid system that acts as a performance and efficiency booster, not a burden.
Focus on Mass Centralization: The placement of the mild-hybrid battery and associated components must be low and within the car’s wheelbase to preserve the renowned handling balance—50/50 weight distribution is non-negotiable.
If Mazda delivers a hybrid Miata that feels as light and agile as the ND, it will be an engineering triumph that silences all the purist critics and sets a new benchmark for accessible sports cars in the electric era. The car’s ethos is lightweight, and that must remain the number one priority, regardless of the powertrain.
A Meaningful Power Bump and a Rev-Happy Engine
For decades, the standard Miata has excelled at being “fast enough.” Its modest power (currently 181 horsepower in the US) is perfectly usable because of its low weight and brilliant chassis. However, the one persistent request from the fan community has always been for more usable, top-end power, and the next-gen MX-5 is the ideal time to deliver on this.
Aiming for the 200+ Horsepower Sweet Spot
Speculation suggests the new Miata might receive a retuned version of Mazda’s 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine, potentially with the new Skyactiv-Z technology. This larger displacement could be essential for pairing with a hybrid system, but the true goal is to push the total system output to comfortably over 200 horsepower. This increase, combined with any weight saving from the hybrid engineering discussed above, would finally give the Miata the power-to-weight ratio many enthusiasts have craved since the Mazdaspeed MX-5.
Preserving the Natural Aspirant Feel
Crucially, the next engine must retain a naturally aspirated feel. Mazda executives have indicated a reluctance to move to a turbocharged engine for the Miata, preferring the linear, predictable power delivery and engine note of a naturally aspirated (NA) setup, which better supports the Jinba Ittai driver connection.
High-Revving Character: The current 2.0-liter, refined for the ND2, is a brilliant example of a modern, high-revving NA engine. The next-gen engine must continue this tradition, encouraging drivers to wring out every gear all the way to a higher redline.
The Sound: With electrification muffling engine noise, Mazda needs to invest in the intake and exhaust tuning to deliver a truly emotional and distinctive sound. The Miata experience is an immersive one, and the sound of the engine is a huge part of that. A satisfying, mechanical wail as the engine climbs the rev range is essential for the driving experience.
h4 The power boost should serve the chassis, not overwhelm it. More important than a huge number is a smooth, linear, and predictable delivery that maintains the car’s balanced character.
A Premium, Ergonomic Interior with Smart Tech
While the Miata’s focus has always been on the drive, the current interior is beginning to show its age, particularly in the tech and ergonomics departments. As Mazda continues its push upmarket into the premium segment, the next-gen Miata needs a significant interior overhaul to match its new price point and competition, without compromising the core driver focus.
A Technological Leap: Infotainment and Connectivity
The current infotainment is functional but dated. We need to see a system that leverages Mazda’s latest premium interfaces, likely borrowing heavily from the excellent systems found in the new CX-90 and Mazda3.
Integrated Display: A new, larger central display—that perhaps retracts or is integrated more seamlessly into the dash to avoid blocking the road view—is a necessity.
Wireless Convenience: Features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are no longer luxuries; they are expected convenience features that improve the daily usability of the car.
Digital/Analog Balance: The instrument cluster should offer a customizable digital screen (harking back to the Vision Study Model concept’s design) but retain a prominent, large analog tachometer—a vital connection to the driving experience.
Ergonomics for All Drivers
The Miata is famously a small car, but its appeal is global. One of the most common complaints is the limited space for taller drivers. The new generation must address this:
Telescopic Steering Wheel: A fully adjustable telescopic steering wheel is non-negotiable for finding the perfect driving position for drivers of all sizes, a fundamental component of the Jinba Ittai philosophy.
Improved Storage: Better, more usable internal storage, including a proper glove box and more cleverly integrated, less obtrusive cup holders, would dramatically increase the car’s practicality for road trips.
h4 The interior should feel more premium—better leather, contrast stitching, and higher-quality switchgear—to reflect Mazda’s current premium trajectory, without adding unnecessary bulk.
Uncompromised Jinba Ittai Driving Dynamics
The Miata’s legacy is defined by its feel. The steering, the shift action, the pedal placement—these are the intangible qualities that make the car legendary. For the next-gen Miata, preserving and refining these dynamics is more important than any headline specification.
The Manual Transmission is Sacrosanct
Mazda has confirmed that the manual transmission will remain. However, simply having a manual isn’t enough; it must be an evolution of the ND’s already brilliant gearbox.
Refined Shift Feel: A shorter throw, an even more mechanical, satisfying snick-snick action, and perfectly weighted clutch engagement are required. The manual gearbox is the ultimate expression of the driver connection and must be faultless.
The Power of Natural Aspiration: As discussed in Point 2, the pairing of the manual transmission with a naturally aspirated engine is key to its predictability, making heel-and-toe downshifts second nature and maintaining the Jinba Ittai harmony.
Chassis Rigidity and Steering Feel
Even with the mandate for electrification, Mazda must make the chassis the star.
Enhanced Chassis Rigidity: The NE Miata needs a significant increase in chassis and body rigidity. This is especially true for the soft-top variant. Increased stiffness allows the suspension to work more efficiently, translating to sharper turn-in and better feedback, ultimately boosting driver confidence.
Hydraulic-like Steering: While electric power steering (EPS) is a given, Mazda needs to work its magic to deliver a steering feel that mimics the clarity and tactile feedback of the best hydraulic setups. The steering wheel is the driver’s direct link to the road, and the precision and communication must be telepathic.
h4 The Miata should not become a “supercar lite.” It should remain a masterclass in affordable, low-speed fun—a car that communicates the road surface, the limit of grip, and the pure physics of motion more effectively than any other car on the market.
Concept-Inspired, Progressive Exterior Design
The Mazda Miata has always been a beautiful car, evolving elegantly across its four generations. For the NE generation, Mazda has a clear design north star: the stunning Mazda Iconic SP Concept unveiled recently. The next-gen car must embrace this new, progressive aesthetic while retaining the classic, open-top roadster silhouette.
The Iconic SP Influence
The Iconic SP Concept showcased a dramatic, low-slung, aggressive new face for Mazda sports cars. Key elements we need to see transferred to the production Miata include:
Aggressive Headlights: The sleek, sharp LED headlight signature from the concept provides a modern, high-tech look that moves the Miata beyond the current design while maintaining a sense of playfulness.
Svelte, Muscular Haunches: The new design must be incredibly sculpted, with prominent front fenders and muscular rear haunches that emphasize the rear-wheel-drive layout and the car’s athletic stance. It needs to look fast, even when standing still.
Classic Proportions: Crucially, the iconic short-wheelbase, long-hood, and minimal overhangs that define the roadster must be perfectly preserved. Mazda has stated they will keep the car small, and this proportional discipline is key to the design’s success.
Refining the Retractable Fastback (RF) Model
The current Retractable Fastback (RF) introduced a sophisticated alternative to the soft-top. The next-gen RF should refine this to make the car look even more like a premium, small coupe when the top is up. The roofline and flying buttresses seen on the Iconic SP Concept would be a spectacular evolution for the RF, providing a unique, hardtop profile that truly differentiates it from its soft-top sibling.
h4 A successful design will be one that is instantly recognizable as a Miata—an approachable, friendly face—but one that looks forward, not backward, embracing a progressive, sophisticated sportiness.
The Enduring Promise of the Next-Gen Miata
The pressure on Mazda for the next-gen Miata is immense. They are not simply launching a new car; they are acting as the custodian for one of the most beloved and important sports cars in history. Every single engineering decision—from the type of electrification to the exact weighting of the steering—will be scrutinized by a legion of dedicated enthusiasts.
The biggest takeaway from the current speculation is that Mazda’s leadership understands the mission: lightweight, Jinba Ittai driving dynamics, and the manual transmission are the core pillars that cannot be compromised. The five elements we need to see—the clever electrification, the potent yet refined power bump, the smart interior tech, the uncompromised driving dynamics, and the concept-forward design—are all required to fulfill that mission.
If Mazda can deliver a 200+ horsepower, hybrid, lightweight roadster that retains the perfect balance and telepathic feel of its predecessors, the next-gen MX-5 will not just survive the new automotive era—it will define it. It will prove, once again, that the purest form of driving joy is about connection, not power. It will cement the Mazda Miata’s place as the world’s quintessential sports car for another generation.
