- The Mazda MX-5, long hailed as one of the most fun-to-drive roadsters, turns 35-years-old.
- Over that time, it’s come along in four different generations with some mild updates in between
- From the pioneering NA to the refined ND, it’s been the ultimate affordable RWD sports car.
1989 was sort of a wild year. George Bush (the first one) came to power, the Berlin Wall fell, and Tim Burton’s Batman came out. Also that year, Mazda began selling the MX-5, also known as the Eunos Roadster and the Miata, depending on the market. Now that 35 years have passed since that time, we’re relying on you to tell us which generation is the best.
It would be easy to simply give all of the credit to the latest (and maybe greatest) MX-5, the ND, as it’s called internally. Currently, it makes 181 horsepower (135 kW) in North American specification and is available as a roadster or hardtop. It’s unquestionably the fastest and most refined version and still manages to maintain a lightweight design and an approachable price.
More: This Mazda MX-5 Has Confused Its NAs With Its NDs
Perhaps it’s the NC though that deserves this honor since it really modernized the MX-5. Arriving in 2005, the NC brought with it more weight than enthusiasts expected but don’t overlook it. This little MX-5 was the first offered with a hardtop. It comes standard with more interior space than the NB, and it obviously has more modern creature comforts. These are valuable additions to a car that’s meant to be driven often.
Still, the NB took everything most folks loved about the original MX-5 and refined it. The car became wider, the engine made more power, and it was more practical too. The sometimes problematic pop-up headlights went away and the rear windscreen was glass with a defroster rather than plastic. Sure, it’s a smidge heavier than the NA but it sort of established the roadster as a serious player in the segment.
None of this would have happened without the original NA though. Built to emulate the experience of an inexpensive, lightweight, and playful British roadster, the first production MX-5 weighed just 2,070 pounds (940 kg). It set the standard for what the MX-5 should be and it continues to play a role in how Mazda builds its cars today.
Is it the very best of the bunch? That’s up to you to decide in our poll below!