2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring - Re- Driven Review

2026 Mazda MX-5 Model Year Update :

For the past three and a half decades, few vehicles have transmitted human to machine motoring purity as the Mazda MX-5.

The ND fourth generation MX-5 Miata has perfected the light and nimble production roadster genre, featuring a magical equilibrium of a low mass directness, raw sensations, sleek lines and modern amenities.

Appropriately, during the recent summer doldrums in the Great Lakes, modesty gave way to exhibitionism while executing a topless excursion on public roads in a 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring.

CHANGES FOR '26 Model Year:

• NONE

2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club RF - What’s New Review

2024 Mazda MX-5 Model Year Update : “ICONIC” represents that which is well established. The Mazda MX-5 signifies the most iconic roadster ever produced. The current and fourth generation of the two seat Japanese sport cabrio continues the combination of light and nimble with a judicious amount of raw sensations transmitted

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton

CARRIED OVER, MOSTLY UNCHANGED (FROM '25 MY MAZDA MX-5 GRAND TOURING):

Segment, Style & Finish:

• Two-door roadster coupe, manual fabric (or available power retracting folding targa) top, 2 occupant seating
• 4th generation ND Series MX-5, launched in 2016 MY, with uprated revised 2.0 Skyactiv G engine introduced for 2019 model year
  • Sensuous Mako shark nose, deep valley long hood, subtle ducktail rear deck roadster profile, emphatic flared fenders & rear quarter panels
  • Slim front white LED DRL housings, circular to inboard arrow LED taillamps

Performance:

• naturally aspirated longitudinal DOHC I-4 petrol engine
• 6-speed manual helical transmission w/ short throw shift lever
  • optional torque converter automatic planetary transmission w/ steering wheel dorsal shift paddles
• Available torque-sensing assymetrical limited slip rear differential
• Dynamic Stability Control Track mode fully disables DSC
• High revving engine, 7500 r.p.m. redline
  • rated power - 181 horsepower, 151 pound-feet @ 4000 r.p.m.
• 32 miles per gallon, 416 miles highway driving range (3.1 gallons/ 100 miles)
• Lightweight body, 50:50 front- rear mass distribution
• Front double wishbone, rear multi-link suspension, available Bilstein dampers
• Vented front, solid rear single-piston caliper disc brakes, monoblock
• Quick ratio steering, heavy weighted resistance
• Bridgestone Potenza S performance tires on 17" alloy wheels

Safety:

• IIHS - Top Safety Pick (2024 MY)
  • 4 SRS airbags, rear camera
  • Advanced driver assistance
    • Blind spot warning, Forward vehicle, pedestrian & cyclist avoidance, rear cross traffic warning
    • Available steering adaptive headlamps, automatic high beams, traffic sign recognition
    • Available adaptive cruise control - automatic transmission model exclusive

Comfort & Convenience:

• Seating for 2
• Sport Bucket manual seats
• Triple dial TFT analog instrument gauge cluster, w/ 4.6" inch color multi-information display
• 1-zone manual (available automatic) climate control,
• Glass rear window + defogger,
• Heated front seats, tilt/ telescoping steering wheel, (available heated wing mirrors & rain sensing windshield wipers)
• Keyless entry, push-button ignition
• Power windows, express down x 2

Utility:

• Carpeted trunk fits two (2) 20" inch roll-aboard soft side suitcases
• Light aluminum trunk lid
• Locking glovebox between seat uppers
• Dual slot locations for two cupholders
• Tire puncture mobility kit

Infotainment:

• 8.8" inch Mazda Connect center dashtop LCD landscape media display, center console remote knob control
• Wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay projection, touch screen control
• Bluetooth hands-free communication
• SMS messaging w/ predefined replies
• Amazon Alexa infotainment voice query
• Bose Centerpoint Audio - streaming, RDS HD radio
  • 9 speakers, including Audiopilot two per front seat headrests
  • 240 watts output
  • center console remote volume knob
• Available HDD GPS native navigation
• Subscription features: Verizon 4G Wi-Fi (6 mos. or 2GB data), Sirius XM satellite radio (90 day trial)
  • MazdaConnected mobile app including remote access, safety & remote connect (1 year trial)

BOTTOM LINE:

• $37,265 price, as tested 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 6-speed manual in Deep Crystal Blue Mica + tan Nappa leather seats (MX-5 Sport manual from $31,745)
• 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty; 5 years, 60,000 miles powertrain warranty

LIKES ABOUT THE 2026 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA GRAND TOURING:

• Modern interpretation of the classic sport 2-seat roadster still looks fresh & fashionable
• Loves to be revved inline-four petrol powerplant + bantam weight
• Heel to toe pedal optimized
• The baseball stitched shifter of the manual gearbox engages six forward positions with an assuring tactile rawness, aided by a light & shorter clutch pedal travel and ideal heel-to-toe spaced pedals.
• Front double wishbone geometry provides precision turn-in. Bridgestone Potenza S rubber grips turn apexes as the asymmetrical limited slip rear diff smooths wheel spin transfer during rotation. A shapely helm is nimble, but never overtaxing, while communicating surface nibble. Quick damper compression makes for a reasonably compliant ride. Single pot disc binders modulate with progressive anchoring.
• Avant garde, retro interior
  • Traditional needle in dial high contrast instrumentation
  • Logical infotainment menu flow
• Exemplary fuel efficiency
• Comfortable, well bolstered heated seats
• Audio speakers inside seat headrests

NOT PREFERRED ABOUT THE 2026 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA GRAND TOURING:

• Wind and road noise at speed, which headrest speakers can't overcome
• Hard dashboard top
• Meek exhaust
• Restricted headroom
• Transmission tunnel intrudes into passenger footwell
• Space constrained trunk
• Shallow center console bin, awkward glovebox location between seatbacks, no door pockets
• Barely any lower center stack smart phone storage
• Limited driver assistance
• Sunwash susceptible instrument cluster
• No rev matching

2019 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring - Bottom Line Review

More than one century ago the earliest automobiles earned the nickname [or mockery] “Horseless carriages.” In the years since, driving has developed into a less sensory, more automated human activity. Responding to the trend of motoring disconnect, in 1989 Japanese automaker Mazda arrived at the Chicago Auto Show responded with

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton