2026 Mazda MX-5 review

We all have that friend, the one who expects the world to stop for their birthday. The Mazda MX-5 is that friend.

First launched in 1989, the world’s best-selling roadster rapidly became a source of immense pride for Mazda.

So, in 1999, the Japanese manufacturer decided to celebrate the success of its little sports car by launching the 10th Anniversary Edition – a visually and mechanically enhanced version of the then-new NB MX-5. Fairy bread and a jumping castle, anyone?

The party must’ve been a riot, because Mazda has followed up with a new Anniversary Edition every five years since. And this – the 35th Anniversary – is the latest in a long line of spruced up MX-5s.

Now, with age comes maturity, and that’s no different with the MX-5.

So, unlike the bright, bold and very orange 30th Anniversary, the 35th Anniversary is remarkably understated. It’s finished in unique Artisan Red paintwork, and features bespoke wheels, a beige soft-top, beige carpet and floor mats, plus a tan Nappa leather interior. Oh, and a manual transmission, of course.

Just 50 examples have made it to Australia, each priced from $51,140 before on-road costs – a $2350 premium over the Roadster GT manual on which it’s based.

Don’t race to your local dealer just yet, though, as the 35th Anniversary is officially sold out. What a tease, I know.

With that in mind, is it worth scouring the used market for a near-new example? And, 35th Anniversary aside, is the decade-old ND MX-5 even worth buying at all in 2025?

How much does the Mazda MX-5 cost?

A decade has passed since the fourth-generation (ND) MX-5 first launched in 2015, and incremental price hikes have seen the entry price rise by 24 per cent over that period.

The 35th Anniversary special edition comes in at $51,140 before on-road costs – $650 less than the most expensive soft-top variant, but $9000 more than the base manual.

However, all 50 examples of this special edition have already been accounted for.

To see how the Mazda MX-5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What is the Mazda MX-5 like on the inside?

The 35th Anniversary makes up for a lack of mechanical upgrades with an interior that’s suitably special.

The basic layout and feature set remains unchanged, but Mazda has treated this milestone model to the gift of beige – beige seats, beige trim, and even beige carpets.

There’s a renewed sense of quality to the materials, too. Premium Nappa leather now covers the seats (which also feature 35th Anniversary embossing on the headrest), while lush 35th Anniversary floor mats rest proudly beneath your feet. Beige stitching completes the look, contrasting neatly with the black leather used for the steering wheel, manual shifter, and handbrake boot.

A quick glance left or right reveals Artisan Red metallic door trims that glint brightly in the sunlight, and the air vents are similarly colour-coded to match the exterior finish.

As a result, the 35th Anniversary feels genuinely unique compared to other-5 variants in the range. Alternative interior colourways including tan, maroon and brown have previously been offered with the ND MX-5, but this limited edition takes it a step further.

With that being said, the interior is missing a few numbered plaques to remind you that the 35th Anniversary is indeed a limited-run model.

Aside from the above material and aesthetic differences, the 35th Anniversary offers the same experience as the manual GT it’s based on.

So, while the seats have been re-trimmed, they’re still not particularly racy. The bolsters are less aggressive than you might expect, and there’s ample cushioning to get you through longer journeys. Three-stage seat heating also remains.

It certainly seems as if Mazda was targeting a softer touring specification for the 35th Anniversary, and that theory is supported by the decision to re-skin the GT seats rather than the sculpted Recaro seats offered in some overseas markets.

One advantage of this is that broader individuals can more easily fit in the driver’s seat, although headroom remains a limiting factor. The ND MX-5 has always been a space-limited sports car, and if you’re any taller than about 6’3″ or 6’4″, you’re going to struggle to get comfortable with the roof in place.

Legroom isn’t so much of a barrier to driving an MX-5, although it can be for those who plan to ride shotgun. That’s because the passenger footwell is both narrow and shallow, with little room for long legs.

Manual adjustment is available for both the front seats and steering wheel, but there’s only so much that can be done to extract space out of what is a very intimate cabin.

That lack of real estate is reinforced by the absence of any real storage options. There’s no glovebox or door storage in this generation of MX-5, nor a proper centre console. Two-dimensional items can be stored in a shallow cubby under the armrest, and there’s an undersized tray intended for a smartphone wedged behind the shifter.

Use of the gorgeous gearstick is also impeded by the awkward positioning of removable cupholders between the seats – what’s the point in offering a manual gearbox if the driver can’t execute a shift without crunching their phone or banging their elbow?

Larger items such as service books fit snuggly in a lockable storage compartment between the seat backs, which is probably the most usable compartment available.

At the end of the day, practicality is almost certainly not a priority for prospective MX-5 buyers, and that’s especially true of those in the market for a 35th Anniversary.

It’s not like the MX-5 is a complete pain in the arse to live with, either.

The cabin layout is quite intuitive, and the tech improved substantially with the 2024 ND3 update. Familiar rotary dials on the dash still take care of the your climate settings, while last year’s facelift brought proper touchscreen functionality for the infotainment system, which also grew to 10.25 inches.

Bigger isn’t always better, but the new system is cleaner, quicker and more modern than its predecessor. Wireless smartphone mirroring is now standard, so it’s easy to access your favourite apps including Waze, Google Maps and Spotify. Wired connectivity is also available in the form of two USB-C outlets.

Additionally, MX-5 buyers get three years of complimentary access to Mazda Connected Services – net-based and remote features accessible via the MyMazda smartphone app. Highlights include vehicle status and health, stolen vehicle assistance, remote locking, vehicle location services, geofencing, SOS emergency calling, and Mazda eCare.

As is the case with the GT, the 35th Anniversary features an upgraded nine-speaker Bose sound system – perfect for blasting your favourites tunes with the roof down.

Upgrades to interior tech haven’t extended to the instrument cluster, which still houses analogue gauges and a small, configurable digital display. There’s nothing wrong with that, as it’s hugely satisfying to watch the needle sweep around the central tachometer.

Boot space has never been a strength of the MX-5. The opening aperture is quite wide, but the boot itself is shallow and awkwardly shaped, so it’s difficult to fit larger items in there. Mazda quotes a capacity of just 127 litres – less than just about anything on sale today.

However, from previous experience it’s possible to cram up to four soft bags down back for a weekend away… just don’t travel with hard suitcases or golf clubs.

Still, the Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86 make more sense as a daily, do-it-all sports car. You can fit 201L of stuff in the boot of the BRZ, while the Toyota offers 237L. Both also have rear seats that fold down, unlocking extra storage capacity.

To see how the Mazda MX-5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

Changes for the 35th Anniversary don’t extend to the powertrain, so you still get the same perky four-pot paired only with a six-speed manual transmission.

To see how the Mazda MX-5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the Mazda MX-5 drive?

The 35th Anniversary drives no different to any other soft-top, manual MX-5, and that’s no bad thing.

Because, in a world of conservative speed limits and strict policing, the MX-5 is the best way to have fun on the road without risking your licence.

It’s got enough pep to feel willing and enthusiastic, but not enough to get you into trouble when you put your foot down. And that’s something you’ll want to do, as the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine does its best work at the upper reaches of the rev range – 7000rpm, to be exact.

I just wish there was more of a soundtrack. The likes of Honda and more recently Abarth have produced some epic-sounding four-pots in years gone by, but Mazda hasn’t quite cracked it with the MX-5.

Mazda has, however, mastered the art of the manual transmission. All seven gates are well-defined, the shifter is light, and the clutch pedal is likewise user-friendly. The bite point is quite high, which takes a little bit of getting used to, but the gearbox is otherwise easy and engaging to interact with.

Similarly, the stop and go pedals are easy to modulate.

The fourth-generation ND MX-5 was the first to gain electric power-assisted steering (EPAS), and even after revisions the system feels a little less connected than the hydraulic rack found in the NC.

However, that deficiency is offset by the sheer agility of the current car. It responds instantly to steering inputs and changes direction on a dime – attributes that shine through in all driving situations.

That go-kart feel is apparent with the roof up, but even more so with the top down. Thankfully, the roof mechanism couldn’t be simpler – its operation requires just a few seconds and a little shoulder mobility.

The petite dimensions of the MX-5 also contribute to its unmatched fun factor. Most modern sports cars have gotten bigger, wider, and heavier, which reduces their appeal on narrow roads. Not the MX-5. Instead, it’s actually gotten smaller, and that allows you to explore the dynamics of the car without crossing lane markings.

It’s nice to have that leeway, because while the front end is razor sharp, the MX-5 is hardly a race car for the road.

Rather, it’s a playful little thing prone to body roll that transitions to manageable oversteer when pushed. In other words, a great setup for having a laugh on a twisty country road.

That relative softness also translates to commendable ride comfort. There’s a compliance baked into the MX-5 that just isn’t present in other sports cars like the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ, let alone more expensive, track-focused models.

Worried about speed bumps or steep driveways? You shouldn’t be, as I didn’t experience any scraping across a full week of predominately urban driving.

I wouldn’t recommend long stints on the highway though, as noise intrusion becomes an issue at higher speeds. On the bright side, all modern MX-5s leave the factory with cruise control, which eases the burden of long roadtrips.

To see how the Mazda MX-5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

The 35th Anniversary is finished in a unique Artisan Red paint colour, and features bespoke wheels, a beige soft-top, beige carpet and floor mats, plus a tan Nappa leather interior.

2026 MX-5 Roadster equipment highlights:

• 17-inch black metallic alloy wheels – black metallic
• Cloth soft-top
• LED daytime running lights
• Automatic LED headlights
• Piano black mirror caps
• Power-adjustable mirrors
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Climate control
• Black cloth and suede upholstery
• Soft-touch ‘Maztex’ centre console and armrests
• Body-coloured inner door trim (previously GT and above)
• 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Wireless and wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• 6-speaker sound system
• DAB+ digital radio
• Satellite navigation

The MX-5 GT adds:

• 17-inch machined alloy wheels
• Adaptive LED headlights
• Body-colour mirror caps
• Heated mirrors
• Black leather seat trim
• Heated seats
• Bose 9-speaker premium sound system with 203-watt amplifier
• Keyless entry

The new MX-5 35th Anniversary adds:

• Bespoke 17-inch alloy wheels
• Exclusive Artisan Red premium metallic paint 
• Beige soft-top roof
• Tan Nappa leather upholstery
• Beige carpet and floormats
• 35th Anniversary headrests
• DSC-TRACK mode (stability control calibration)

The MX-5 RF GT Black Roof adds (over the GT):

• Black retractable roof
• Tan Nappa leather

The MX-5 GT RS adds (over the GT):

• 17-inch BBS forged alloy wheels
• Bilstein suspension dampers
• Brembo front brakes
• Suspension front tower brace bar
• Power mirrors – piano black, heated
• DSC-TRACK mode (stability control calibration)

To see how the Mazda MX-5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the Mazda MX-5 safe?

The Mazda MX-5 is currently unrated by ANCAP, as the ND-generation’s five-star ANCAP safety rating expired on January 1, 2024.

Pre-update models wore a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2016 testing, where the Japanese sports car scored 35.20 out of 37 against older criteria.

Standard saefty features include:

• 4 airbags
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
  • Forward, reverse
  • Pedestrian detection – front
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver attention monitoring
• Hill-start assist
• Lane departure warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Seatbelt warning
• Traffic sign recognition
• Tyre pressure monitoring

To see how the Mazda MX-5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the Mazda MX-5 cost to run?

The MX-5 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with five years of roadside assistance.

To see how the Mazda MX-5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the Mazda MX-5 35th Anniversary

If you can somehow get your hands on a 35th Anniversary, it’s definitely worth the price of admission.

The MX-5 was already unique in the modern motoring landscape, but this special edition adds a retro cool colour scheme and genuine exclusivity for just $2350 over the regular GT.

Having said that, I wish Mazda went a little further with this milestone model.

There was a real opportunity here to give enthusiasts (myself included) access to some performance and handling upgrades as they wait patiently for the announcement of a fifth-generation MX-5. Just picture it – a 35th Anniversary with stiffer suspension, a fruitier exhaust, Recaro seats, and an engine remap.

It could’ve been priced up to $60,000, as I’m sure customers would’ve been willing to foot the bill given the lack of affordable, convertible sports car alternatives.

Alas, it wasn’t to be. And, given the 35th Anniversary is now sold out in Australia, there’s no point living in the past. With that in mind, there’s still plenty of value to be found in regular versions of the MX-5, and my experience with this example suggests any manual soft-top example is a great buy in 2025.

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