ND MX-5 Miata (2016-2023) Owner's Guide
The ND is the fourth-generation MX-5, sold from the 2016 model year onward. It returned the car to its roots: 2,332 lb at the curb for an early ND1 soft-top, a 90.9-inch wheelbase, near-50/50 weight distribution, and a naturally aspirated four driving the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual. After two decades of the car creeping upward in size and mass, Mazda took weight back out. The ND is lighter than the NA that started the line in 1989.
It comes two ways: the soft-top (just “MX-5”) and the RF, a retractable fastback with a powered hardtop that stows behind the seats while leaving fixed buttresses in place. Both share the same chassis and drivetrain.
ND1 vs ND2: the split that matters
Section titled “ND1 vs ND2: the split that matters”The single most important thing to know when shopping is which engine you’re looking at. The change landed for the 2019 model year and split the ND into two distinct cars.
| ND1 (2016-2018) | ND2 (2019-2023) | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Skyactiv-G 2.0 (P5-VPS) | Revised Skyactiv-G 2.0 (PE-VPS) |
| US power | 155 hp @ 6,000 | 181 hp @ 7,000 |
| Torque | 148 lb-ft @ 4,600 | 151 lb-ft @ 4,000 |
| Redline | ~6,800 rpm | 7,500 rpm |
| Telescoping wheel | No | Yes |
| Reverse camera | Optional/late | Standard |
| Brake-based limited slip | No | Added with G-Vectoring updates |
The ND2 update was more than a power bump. Mazda lightened the internals (pistons, conrods, the crank), reduced reciprocating mass, opened up the intake and exhaust ports, fitted larger throttle and valves, and raised the redline 700 rpm. The result is a 26-hp gain and an engine that genuinely wants to spin past 7,000, where the ND1 falls flat. The ND2 also finally added a telescoping (not just tilting) steering column, which makes the cabin fit a wider range of drivers.
For 2024 Mazda revised the car again (sometimes called ND3): a faster steering rack, an asymmetric limited-slip diff, an updated dash and a new infotainment unit. If you’re cross-shopping a 2024+, the differences are covered in ND1 vs ND2 vs ND3 and what changed for the ND3.
Engine and drivetrain
Section titled “Engine and drivetrain”Both NDs use a 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G inline-four — naturally aspirated, direct-injected, 13:1 compression, and happy on regular 87-octane. There is no turbo from the factory; the ND was never sold with one in the US. The 1.5-liter sold in other markets never came to North America.
The 6-speed manual (a derivative of the long-running Mazda gearbox, not the Aisin found behind the bigger 2.0 in heavier cars) is the enthusiast’s choice and the gearbox the car was designed around: short throws, a positive gate, well-chosen ratios. A 6-speed automatic with paddles is available and competent, but it’s not why people buy this car. The clutch and shifter are widely considered among the best in any modern production car.
Power goes through an open differential on base cars; a Torsen helical limited-slip came on Club and higher trims with the manual. The LSD is worth seeking out if you plan to autocross or track the car.
Trims, in plain terms
Section titled “Trims, in plain terms”- Sport — the base car. Cloth seats, 16-inch wheels, open diff, manual or auto. Lightest configuration.
- Club — the enthusiast trim. 17-inch wheels, Bilstein dampers and a front shock-tower brace (manual only), Torsen LSD, and the BBS/Brembo package available as an option.
- Grand Touring — leather, heated seats, navigation, adaptive headlights. Comfort-leaning; no LSD on early autos.
The 16-inch Sport wheel is actually the lightest and gives the most sidewall, which some autocrossers prefer. Club is the sweet spot for most people who plan to modify or drive hard.
Buying a used ND
Section titled “Buying a used ND”The ND has aged well and there are no widespread engine or transmission failures to fear. The things to check are mostly cosmetic and electrical. See the full ND buying guide and reliability by year for the detail, but the short list:
- Soft-top rear window and seams. The plastic window can haze and the stitching can let go on neglected cars. RF tops have their own mechanism to check for smooth operation.
- Clutch and shift quality. Notchy 2nd-gear synchros and a heavy clutch suggest hard use or low miles in cold climates.
- Paint and rock chips on the low nose, plus underbody corrosion on cars from salt regions.
- ND1 vs ND2. Confirm the model year against the engine; a 2018 is an ND1 even if it looks identical to a 2019.
For the long-running debate, best years to buy and RF vs soft-top lay out the tradeoffs.
Maintenance basics
Section titled “Maintenance basics”The ND is cheap to keep. It takes 0W-20 to Mazda’s Skyactiv spec, runs a single serpentine belt, and conventional brakes. Oil-change interval is 7,500 miles or yearly under normal use, shorter if you track it. The service schedule, engine oil guidance, and brake pads and fluid pages cover the consumables. For winter layup, see battery and winter storage.
On the track
Section titled “On the track”The ND is one of the most track-friendly cars you can buy new, which is why it underpins entire spec racing series. Stock, the limits are predictable and the chassis communicates well. The two things owners address first are heat and grip: the factory brake fluid boils on a hot session, and the all-season or summer tires give up before the chassis does.
The usual progression is fluid, pads, and tires before anything else, then alignment, then suspension. Start with first mods and track day prep; for the specifics, see track tires, alignment, brake pads and fluid, and keeping it cool. New drivers should read the HPDE beginner guide. If you autocross, the autocross classing page explains where a stock or lightly modified ND lands.
Infotainment
Section titled “Infotainment”The ND1 and ND2 run the same Gen 6 Mazda Connect head unit (the “CMU”) — a 7-inch screen driven by the Commander knob, with a touchscreen that the factory locks out above a few mph. CarPlay and Android Auto were a dealer-installed retrofit on early cars and standard later. The platform, its quirks, and what can be changed are covered in ND CarPlay and the broader Mazda Connect overview. Most of those quirks (slow boot, the lock-out touchscreen, the start-up disclaimer) are software, not hardware: see tweaks for the DIY route or ScreenTune to apply them in a single USB install. The 2024 ND3 dropped this unit for a new system, which is the main reason the two generations are treated separately here.
Fiat 124 Spider
Section titled “Fiat 124 Spider”The Fiat 124 Spider (2017-2020) is built on the same chassis at the same Hiroshima plant, but it is its own car: a turbocharged 1.4-liter MultiAir engine, Fiat-specific suspension tuning, softer springs, and more sound deadening. It shares the ND’s infotainment hardware but runs Fiat calibrations. Cross-shoppers should read the Fiat 124 Spider comparison.