The Mazda Miata is a convertible roadster inspired by the classic roadster offerings of the 1960s. With its sleek design and fun, sporty features, it's clear that a lot of thought, and years of engineering and advancement, went into this ride. At Bountiful Mazda, we love to learn more about Mazda's offerings and how they became the staples they are. Read on to learn more about the history of the Miata and discover how it grew into the machine it is today. 

1989

An American journalist named Bob Hall creates a sketch for an affordable sports car. It takes a while for the sketch to gain traction, but eventually, Mazda's American operations team decides to create Hall's vision. After some tweaking and refining, they create a vehicle with a classic British sports car layout: rear drive with an engine in the front. The MX-5 Miata is born. 

In 1989, the original Miata, which becomes known as the NA generation, premieres at the Chicago Auto Show as a 1990 model. It looks like a classic 60s-era Lotus Elan if the vehicle was remastered for the future. Fun and unique features include pop-up headlights that, along with a rounded bumper, almost look like a smiling face.

In the beginning, the Miata holds a 116-horsepower, 1.6L engine with a five-speed manual transition. Available features include power windows and aluminum wheels, but no matter which options a buyer chooses, the Miata is lightweight and affordable. At first, it comes in only three colors: blue, red, and white. Soon after, Mazda adds a silver metallic option. People love this fun new ride, and the Miata is officially off to the races.

1991-1998

For the next few years, Mazda releases a wide range of options and special editions for this popular car. The first special edition, born only a few years after the initial ride's release, comes in a green meant to mimic the British Racing's Grand Prix colors. In 1992, a yellow version emerges. The next year, another special edition comes out, and it's clear that this will be a yearly thing. 

Throughout this time, Mazda also adds new safety features like a cross-body brace behind the seats and a passenger-side airbag to keep riders safe. The engine upgrades as well, expanding to a 1.8L option that gives 128 horsepower. Drivers can also choose from manual or automatic transmission options as time roles forward. Mazda decides to create a new name for its special editions. From now on, it's all about the M Edition.

1999

After years of developing quite the fanbase, the Miata expands with its second generation. While designers largely keep the car's same structural design, it earns a totally fresh interior and outside body-work. Given the code name NB, this new model ditches the fun flip-up headlights and aims for something a bit more serious. It gains fixed headlights and a curvier body, making it appear less dainty than previous iterations.

 This new Miata keeps its 1.8L engine but earns updates that bring the machine's horsepower up to 140. Transmission options stay largely the same, although top-level models also offer the chance to use a six-speed. At this time, 10 years into its life, the Miata earns a special anniversary edition in an attention-grabbing blue with a blue and black interior color scheme.

2004

As the years go by, Mazda continues down the same path of offering a new special edition or color option for the Miata every year. The next significant change affects the Miata in 2004, though, when Mazda's performance team, Mazdaspeed, introduces a turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that gives 178 horsepower. The new Miata also gets performance tires and a lowered suspension, ultimately helping it go quicker than any previous model.

2006

The Miata's third generation comes to life in 2006. The NC MX-5 offers a new unibody and running gear, making it more modern-looking than any previous version. This makes the Miata larger and heavier in the process, which the company chooses to offset using a new 2L incline-four engine that gives 170 horsepower. The Mazdaspeed version of the past is dead, it seems, with this new engine only lessening the horsepower by 8. 

While this Miata version may mark the largest ever departure from the original, some vintage exterior features keep it grounded in its past. Styling options, including headlights, nod back to the original. On the inside, though, this Miata has a roomy cabin and upscale styling that calls to the future.

2009

Seemingly happy with its creation, Mazda adds very few drastic changes since the introduction of its third generation. The company adds a power retractable hardtop, for example, offering the same convertible feel of the previous version with a much lighter weight. In 2009, the ride gets a sharper look along with a suspension package to balance out previous under-steering issues. Engine revisions increase horsepower by 1. 

2016

Just off its 25th birthday celebrations, the Miata enters its fourth generation in 2016. Getting back to its roots, this version is smaller and lighter than its predecessor. In fact, it's even shorter and almost as lightweight as the original, even with its modern safety gear and technology.

This version gets a 2L engine that makes 155 horsepower. With its minimal weight, this Miata is the new quickest ever, beating the Mazdaspeed Miata and its turbocharged engine. Inside, the new Miata chooses simple and clean with a cozy cabin that does what it needs to do without many added bells and whistles.

2019

In its 30th year, the Miata reaches its new quickest speed once more. Engine revisions help the ride earn this achievement, but other than that, it stays largely the same. From upgrades alone, the engine rises to 181 horsepower. For its birthday, Miata gets an orange-colored exterior and interior special edition, debuting right at the Chicago Auto Show where it all began. 

Today, the Miata continues evolving, with each year bringing features and options influenced by new technology and driving standards. If you're interested in this vehicle or might like to explore some of Mazda's other options, you can check out our selection of new Mazdas today. You can also contact us with any questions, or to discuss your favorite iteration of this popular Mazda machine.