The History of the MAZDA MX-5 Miata

The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata comes from a long legacy of sporty, exciting, and fun-to-drive vehicles that drivers have loved through the years. It has stood out on tracks and open roads across the world, and it continues to be a fan favorite today. Woodhouse Place Mazda has your closer look at the history of the Mazda MX-5 Miata.

MAZDA MX-5 Miata: The Beginning

One of the reasons the Mazda MX-5 Miata has been so popular for so long is because it filled a gap in the market for a long time. It was first introduced in 1989, when most of the other small sportscars had disappeared from the market, and the ones that remained were out of the average driver’s budget.

The first generation of Mazda MX-5 models lasted from 1989 to 1997, during which time nearly 230,000 Mazda MX-5 Miata models were sold. The second generation lasted from the 1999 model year to the 2005 model year, and featured performance boosts like a turbocharged engine and Bilstein shocks. The third generation lasted from 2005 to 2015.

MAZDA MX-5 Miata: Modern History

Today’s Mazda MX-5 Miata vehicles are part of the fourth generation, which started in 2015, and includes the spritely 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata. This has been an award-winning generation, with titles from Car and Driver and Car of the Year Japan. Ironically, it has also served as inspiration for some of the latest versions of the models that first left the market in the 1980s and 1990s, making room for the first generation.

Test Drive the 2023 MAZDA MX-5 Miata

The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata isn’t just fun, capable, and ready to race. It’s a piece of history. Embrace a long line of Mazda MX-5 Miata models for yourself with a drive at Woodhouse Place Mazda today.