Sports cars are supposed to be emotional purchases. They’re meant to make you smile before you’ve even turned the key, blending sharp styling, engaging performance, and a sense of fun that practical vehicles simply can’t replicate. Few cars embody that philosophy better than Mazda’s beloved roadster, which has spent decades proving that driving enjoyment doesn’t require massive horsepower or an exotic price tag.

That is why the latest update feels a little underwhelming. Rather than introducing meaningful changes or even a bold new splash of color, Mazda has opted to give its iconic convertible yet another subdued paint option. While the new shade is attractive enough, it continues a trend of muted colors that feels oddly at odds with the personality of one of the most playful cars on sale today.

The good news is that the car itself remains as brilliant as ever. Lightweight, affordable, and endlessly entertaining, it continues to deliver the kind of driving experience that has made it a legend among enthusiasts. If this generation is sticking around for another year, it deserves a little more visual excitement to match the joy it delivers from behind the wheel.

Mazda imbues the 2027 MX-5 with yet another quiet color

Other than that, there aren’t any changes

Credit: Mazda

We’ve gotten to the point that every year we hope Mazda will announce the next generation of the MX-5. Unfortunately, we have to go on waiting for another year. The Japanese automaker is still honing in what the next Miata will look like, which means the ND sticks around a little longer. To tide us over for the time being, we’ve been given another paint color for the 2027 model year. The bad news is that it still isn’t a particularly fun one.

Changes for 2027

The only change to the MX-5 for the 2027 model year is a new paint option named Zinc Green. Mazda claims that it is meant to be similar to Polymetal Gray in that under bright lighting a nuance of color is revealed. While it is a decently pretty color, we can’t help but be a little disappointed.

The Mazda MX-5 is perhaps the most fun car that you can buy right now, with a cheap and cheerful price tag and entertaining driving dynamics. Why, then, is the lineup so devoid of any bright colors? Zinc Green joins Deep Crystal Blue, Aero Gray, Snowflake White Pearl, Machine Gray, Jet Black, and Soul Crystal Red. Mazda’s red is perhaps the best red out there, but beyond that there is a distinct lack of brightness, especially for such a fun-loving car.

Mazda MX-5 trims and pricing

Other than the new paint color joining the lineup for 2027, there aren’t any other changes to the little roadster. Above shows a table of pricing for the 2026 model year as the Japanese brand has yet to announce prices for the 2027 model. We don’t expect there to be much of a price jump at all, with the standard increase in cases like this being a couple of hundred dollars at most. It will still remain the cheapest new sports car on the market.

Colors aside, the current generation of the MX-5 is exceptional fun

We aren’t too sad to get the ND for another year

While we would love to see what the next generation of the MX-5 will look like, we’re also not that sad that the current generation of the Miata is sticking around. There is a lot of debate around which Miata is best, we think that the MX-5 ND2 is a phenomenal sports car, even before you consider its extremely affordable price tag. It is a car that will never fail to bring a smile to your face whenever you get behind the wheel.

2026 Mazda MX-5 performance specs

Base Trim Engine

2.0-liter I4

Base Trim Transmission

6-Speed Manual

Base Trim Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

181 HP @7000 RPM

Base Trim Torque

151 lb.-ft. @ 4000 RPM

Make

Mazda

Model

MX-5 Miata

Segment

Sports Car

With no mechanical changes on the cards for 2027, the MX-5 will keep the same naturally aspirated two-liter four-pot that sits under the hood of the 2026 model. This engine sends its power through a standard six-speed manual transmission, with a six-speed automatic also being available. Of course, Mazda’s little roadster is rear-wheel drive only.

The 181 horsepower that the Miata’s engine produces may not sound like a lot, but considering the convertible weighs less than 2,500 pounds, it’s enough to get the car up to 60 miles per hour in as little as 5.5 seconds. That curb weight is an important figure as it plays a massive role in the MX-5’s playful dynamics. It is sharp and eager and feels at home along twisty back roads. Really, there are few cars that are as entertaining to drive.

We have some insight into the next generation of the MX-5

It’ll be lighter and more powerful

Credit: Mazda

Mazda has said a lot about the development of the next generation of the Miata. A while ago, it looked as if the next MX-5 would feature some kind of electrification, but the Japanese automaker has since changed their mind. In a couple of recent interviews, the Japanese brand has revealed some information that should perk up the ears of any driving enthusiast.

Interior dimensions and comfort

In a recent interview for Australia’s GoAuto, Mazda’s general manager for global sales, Manabu Osuga, revealed some pretty telling information about the next MX-5. Perhaps one of the most important pieces of information shared was that the team was aiming for a curb weight of less than 2,200 pounds. That means that there is a pretty big chance that it will be lighter than the current iteration of the convertible.

What is especially impressive about this revelation is that it looks as if the next Miata will come with a larger 2.5-liter engine under the hood. This will likely be a part of Mazda’s upcoming Skyactiv Z engine generation. The brand will have to push their ‘gram strategy’ weight saving approach to its limit to reach 2,200 pounds with an even heftier engine under the hood.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a ton of fun, so we wish it got some more fun colors

The current iteration of the MX-5 is one of the most enjoyable sports cars on the market, even though it has been around for quite a long time now. We’re not entirely disappointed or surprised that it will stick around for another year. What we do have an issue with, though, is the fact that Mazda seems so afraid of bright colors. The new Zinc Green, which will be available on 2027 models, is nice, but a fun convertible deserves some fun paint options.