X

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata revealed (photos)

At an event in Monterey, Calif., Mazda unveiled the redesigned fourth-generation of its MX-5 roadster.

Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Antuan Goodwin
2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-01.jpg
1 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

1990 Mazda Miata (NA)

Mazda's lovable Miata roadster debuted 25 years ago. On hand at the debut of the next generation was the 15th production Miata ever built.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-04.jpg
2 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata under wraps

The new Miata waited for us, teasing from beneath its cover.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-05.jpg
3 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

#LongLiveTheRoadster

The 2016 Miata's unveiling took place at a "secret location" in Monterey, California -- not too far from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-06.jpg
4 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Live-streamed event

The event was live-streamed on Mazda's YouTube channel and live-tweeted by all in attendance.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-07.jpg
5 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

The ND revealed

Not much time was wasted before the MX-5 burst onto the stage.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-09.jpg
6 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata

The new model will be the fourth generation of the Miata, code-named ND by Mazda engineers and fanboys.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-10.jpg
7 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Ladies and gentlemen, Duran Duran!

After a little talk about design, English rock band Duran Duran entertained attendees.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-11.jpg
8 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Kodo: Soul of Motion

The ND Miata utilizes elements automaker's Kodo design principles. While you'll recognize many of the design cues from the Mazda6 and Mazda3, the Miata's design is largely unique.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-12.jpg
9 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Tapered rear end

The rear end has a tapered design and the deck lid has been raised in the center to aid aerodynamics.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-13.jpg
10 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Rear-wheel drive

It's no surprise based that the Miata retains its front-engine/rear-drive architecture, but Mazda was surprisingly tight-lipped about the engine and any other specs.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-14.jpg
11 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Rear haunches

You can barely tell that it's there, but a single character line rises from the door sills and up over the rear fenders.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-15.jpg
12 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Simple sides

Mazda Director of Design Derek Jenkins tells us that the MX-5's sides have purposely been left nearly devoid of creases both because the Miata is so small and as a sort of homage to the simple design of the first generation.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-16.jpg
13 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Profile

The MX-5's windshield hoop has been painted black to help accentuate the roadster's low-slung design.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-19.jpg
14 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

The curvaceous new roadster reminds me at times of a more futuristic version of the second-generation (NB) Miata, with hints of Jaguar F-Type and Honda S2000.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-20.jpg
15 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Where most of Mazda's lineup is moving away from the smiley face, the MX-5 retains the third-generation's open mouth.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-21.jpg
16 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

The new Miata is wider and lower than the previous model -- nowhere is that more obvious than at the nose, which dips toward the ground. Overall length, however, is about the same as that of the third generation.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-22.jpg
17 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Angry face

The front fenders rise sharply over the wheel wells before dropping back down onto the hood. In the center of the hood, a slight bulge allows the sheet metal to clear the engine.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-23.jpg
18 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Safety features

Jenkins stated that the new roadster had "technologies" in place to help it to meet pedestrian-safety standards, despite its deeply dipping front end.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-24.jpg
19 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Full LED illumination

In an effort to keep the housings small, Mazda uses full LED illumination for the headlamps, accents, and daytime running lights.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-26.jpg
20 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Wheel options

Final specs haven't been confirmed, but the Miata will be available with optional 16- and 17-inch wheels.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-25.jpg
21 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Cabin design

Later in the presentation, we were given a peek at the MX-5's new "more aspirational" interior.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-27.jpg
22 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Simple, but updated

Mazda wants to move the Miata upmarket, but also doesn't want to alienate the enthusiasts and purists who just want to keep the roadster simple and spartan. We'll see how well it has done.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-28.jpg
23 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

7-inch touchscreen

One of the first things that I noticed was the 7-inch display sticking out of the dashboard like a piece of bread in a toaster. Mazda tells us that the new MX-5's tech will be on par with the Mazda3.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-29.jpg
24 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

New tech is coming

This means we'll probably see Bluetooth, app integration, available navigation, and more. What I didn't see when peering around the MX-5's cabin was a CD slot. There are, however, a pair of USB ports and an SD card reader at the base of the center stack.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-35.jpg
25 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Infotainment controller

The screen should be touch-sensitive, but the driver can also interact with the system via a physical controller on the center console.

Just ahead of this controller near the shifter is a Sport mode toggle. Shouldn't the MX-5 always be in Sport mode?!

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-30.jpg
26 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Color-matched interior

Color-matched interior panels will be grade-specific options, but Mazda is hesitant to give more details about pricing or trim levels.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-32.jpg
27 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

LED tail lamps

Like the headlamps, the tail lights are full LED illuminated.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-33.jpg
28 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Skyactiv tech

Skyactiv construction should net the MX-5 a weight loss of about 220 pounds over the previous generation. That should mean it weighs about 2,200 pounds.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-34.jpg
29 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Driver centric

The steering wheel also gains a few more buttons.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-36.jpg
30 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Instruments

Where previous Miatas used a two-gauge instrument cluster with equal sized speedo and tachometers, the ND has a three-gauge configuration with an enlarged center tachometer.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-31.jpg
31 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 interior

Despite the new tech, the MX-5's cabin still looks like it has retained its simple, driver-centric charm.

I am, however, a bit concerned about that weird BMW Z4-like cup-holder hanging off of the center tunnel.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-38.jpg
32 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

1990 interior

Here's another look at the first-generation model's cabin for comparison.

2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-08.jpg
33 of 33 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

More to come

Today's unveil was all about styling with little to no mention of specs, tech, or performance, but we expect to learn more in the coming days. Stay tuned.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos