2025 Mazda MX-5 Review: Still the Answer

Mazda rolled its beloved MX-5 onto U.S. roadways just over 35 years ago. The most recent iteration rolled into the public eye a decade ago and launched formally for the 2016 model year. Over the last decade, this so-called ND-generation Miata has gone through some update cycles and added more features and power. The most recent update also gave the Maita a new steering rack and some updates to the interior. That said, the main design and philosophy of this fourth-generation Miata haven’t changed too much from its launch almost a decade ago. The revised powertrain does add some welcome extra oomph, making 181 hp from a 2.0-liter I4 since the ND’s first overhaul for 2019. You can row your own gears through a six-speed manual transmission, or a six-speed automatic can be tasked with the gear selection duties. On this episode of Quick Spin, host Wesley Wren hops behind the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata and puts it through its paces. Wren takes you on a guided tour of the MX-5 Miata and highlights some of his favorite features. Later, Wren takes you along on a live drive review. Adding to these segments, Wren chats with Autoweek’s Patrick Carone about the Mazda Miata, where this generation sits, and what could happen to the Miata in the future. Closing the show, the pair breaks down what makes the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata special.