Should Mazda Make A Larger, More Powerful Miata?

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is definitive proof that "less is more”. Simplicity has always been key to the formula that the Japanese sports car has adhered for over 35 years. The future of the Mazda MX-5 is set, and while, eventually, a fully electric model is said to emerge, the small roadster is one of the few enthusiast cars that hasn't given up on the classic way of doing things. That said, there is one camp of people who have always wanted the Miata to be larger and more powerful.  

But will Mazda ever make a larger, more powerful version of its iconic sports car? The answer isn't as simple as yes or no, and here's how such a model could work. 

Some US dealers asked Mazda to make the MX-5 Miata larger and more powerful 

In a recent Road & Track interview with Mazda CEO, Masahiro Moro, he shared that there have been requests from some US dealers to make the Miata larger and more powerful. The CEO confirmed that the next-generation MX-5 will rely on a larger, 2.5-liter engine. The brand is doing the opposite of downsizing, but that doesn’t mean power will go up. 

The larger displacement compensates for the reduced specific output the “NE” Miata will have. This comes from the "Lambda One" combustion cycle of the company's Skyactiv-Z engine, which aims to reduce emissions. On the plus side, more displacement means more mid-range torque. 

Mazda perfected the small British sports car formula 

Mazda continues to adhere to the philosophy of simple and lightweight when it comes to the Miata. The inspiration came from the British roadsters, which were lightweight and nimble. The Japanese simply added reliability to the mix and improved everything else. The current generation of the Japanese roadster tips the scales at just 2,129 pounds for certain markets. The US-spec 2.0-liter roadster tips the scales at 2,321 pounds (2,414 pounds for the automatic). 

Can the next-generation Mazda 6 lead to something else?  

While nothing is set in stone, Toyota could be the key to a larger Mazda sports car. We already know that Toyota is showing interest in Mazda's inline-six engine for the next-generation Supra. Moreover, both brands are working on flagship sports cars, which will share a platform among other things.  

The issue for with a larger Mazda sports car is how it will be called. The company could follow Toyota's example and resurrect iconic nameplates from its past, like the Eunos Cosmo for example. 

But the even bigger issue is how it will make financial sense. At this point, we should be lucky that Mazda is still considering a rear-wheel-drive sedan, powered by an inline-six. Whether it makes it to production depends on how Mazda's new SUV lineup will fare. Luckily, the CX-90 has proven to be a driver's car despite being an SUV, and on top of that, the model is doing well. Between April 2024 and March 2025, a total of 86,753 Mazda CX-90 units were sold in North America, marking a 41 percent increase from the previous year. 

A new competitor to the Mazda MX-5. Toyota S-FR 

Aside from the Toyota GR86, which is due for a new generation, the Mazda MX-5 remains largely unchallenged in the compact sports car segment, especially when it comes to convertibles. This will change, however, as Toyota is working on its own compact roadster – the S-FR. That said, Japanese reports suggest that the sub-compact roadster will be positioned in the A and B segments, which means it will be even smaller than the Miata, which is positioned in the C segment.  

What do you think of the next-generation Mazda MX-5 getting a larger engine, and do you want Mazda to make a larger sports car equivalent? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image source: Mazda Skyactiv, 2025 Mazda MX-5