Yahoo Autos Best Mazda MX-5 Miatas: Our picks for top years, models, speed and performance
The Mazda MX-5 Miata has been around since 1989 (1990 model year in the U.S.) and has gone through four generations. So that inevitably leaves the question at the top of this post, "What's the best Miata?" Well, we do have an answer, but it can be a bit more complicated depending on what you're looking for. So take a look below to find you perfect roadster companion.
The Best and Fastest Miata: 2019+ Mazda MX-5
If you've read our past coverage, you may have seen this coming. The fourth-generation Miata does every Miata thing better than any prior. We'll specifically call out the more powerful refreshed version (sometimes referred to as ND2). With 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, it makes more power than any Miata prior thanks to extra revs (among other upgrades). It weighs less than its predecessor and barely more than the second-generation, despite having modern safety features and technology. Speaking of which, it has the best technology of any Miata with things like CarPlay (though, that's not a huge achievement if we're honest). It's even the most efficient, and there's the Miata RF retractable roof model for people who want a coupe shape or a little more isolation from the elements. But if you do decide to get a Mazda MX-5 Miata RF, our suggestion is to opt for the manual transmission instead of the optional automatic.
Read more: 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata Road Test | Old dog, new trick
But it's not just the numbers. It's the combination of those numbers with the fact that the ND still has all the characteristics the Miata has become known for. It's light and tossable. The shifter clicks from slot to slot effortlessly. It doesn't have too much tire, so you can partake in rear-drive shenanigans at safe and legal velocities. And it manages to be sporty without being punishing to drive daily.
A close runner-up to the 2019 MX-5 is the pre-refresh model from 2016 to 2018. What knocks it down a peg is that it doesn't have as rev-happy of an engine, and peak power is down at 155 ponies. But the good news is that most everything else is just as good. And even the engine is basically as powerful as the updated one until it hits its lower redline. As such, you're not missing out on much. But if you can, the 2019 and later ND does bring a little more to the table.
Read more: 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata Suspension Deep Dive
The Most Practical Miata: 2006-2015 Mazda MX-5
Yes, practicality seems like a silly thing to discuss with a little roadster, but sometimes you want your toy to still do things like commute and go grocery shopping, or you want to take it on a lengthy road trip. When it comes to a Miata that you can really live with, it's hard to beat the third generation (NC).
One of the highlights of the NC is simply the space. It's the biggest (and heaviest) Miata, and that means it has far and away the most interior space. If you're a large or tall person, the best odds of fitting in a Miata is with the NC. It also has the most cargo space at 5.3 cubic feet.
