2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF

Price Range: $38,450 - $41,900

Good

The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata exists to bring pure driving joy to your life. The hardtop RF version does it with more style and a quieter interior when the top is up. Don't expect much in terms of comfort, tech or practicality. But once you hit your favorite back road, nothing else will matter.Read full review

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Mazda MX-5 Miata RF for Sale

Pricing

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Edmunds suggests you pay

$38,946

4 for sale near you

Edmunds suggested price is based on sales in OH thru 10/26/26, including destination fee, but not other dealer fees. Final assembly in Japan.

Pros

Sublime steering and handling
Quieter and more secure with the roof up than standard Miata
Power-folding roof does not reduce trunk space
Has enough modern tech features without going overboard

Cons

Costs more than the soft-top Miata
Noise and wind buffeting with the roof off
Tiny trunk
Poor over-the-shoulder visibility

What's new

Minor revisions to interior features
Part of the fourth MX-5 Miata generation introduced for 2016

Overview

Written by automotive expert Michael Cantu

Updated: 11/8/2026

The 2026 Miata MX-5 RF is the convertible for people who don't like convertibles. Fundamentally, this is a Miata with a retractable hardtop roof. It delivers a sleeker profile with the roof up as well as slight increases in noise insulation and theft protection. Fortunately, the RF is just as fun to drive as the regular soft-top Miata. If the RF sounds like your Miata, make sure you have the budget for it. Its starting price is significantly higher because it lacks the base Sport trim of the regular Miata. The Club and Ground Touring models are more expensive as well.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Steven Ewing

Good

6.8

out of 10

We drove the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

7.5/10

How does the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF drive? The Miata's story isn't told by its modest power (181 hp) or 0-60 mph acceleration (6.4 seconds). Instead, it's the less quantifiable attributes that come alive when you're driving up a canyon road or playing around at a track day. The Miata's drivetrain is happiest revving its heart out but is willing to trundle along in traffic without protest. It's such an easy car to drive.

Incredibly communicative, quick-to-react steering is a Miata hallmark. Around our skidpad, we measured 0.93 g of lateral grip. Other sports cars are grippier, but the beauty of the Miata is how easy it is to drive it with precision or abandon, depending on your mood. The brakes offer plenty of stopping power and work well for smooth stops in traffic. And we love this manual transmission.

The Grand Touring trim is better suited for daily driving than the Club trim because it skips the stiffer-riding Bilstein dampers. Even so, the Miata isn't harsh or unpleasant.

Driver aids are few and far between. Adaptive cruise control comes only on the automatic-transmission Grand Touring. The Miata's blind-spot warning system definitely comes in handy because of the RF's big blind spots.

Comfort

5.7/10

How comfortable is the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF? The Club gets Recaro seats with additional side bolstering to hold you in place while cornering. They're comfortable, but the stock seats are pretty good too.

The main reason to get a Miata RF is for its folding hardtop. Indeed, the RF proved quieter than an equivalent soft-top Miata in our testing, both with the roof up and down. Still, this is a noisy car to drive on the highway.

The Miata's cabin is simple and straightforward. The controls are easy to access, and everything's within arm's reach, even if it means having to contort to open the tiny glovebox between the seats.

Drivers over 6 feet tall may find sufficient headroom and legroom; it's just that there won't be any space left around them. Getting into a Miata can feel like putting on a tight pair of pants. Also, the passenger footwell is shorter than the driver's and taller co-pilots won't be able to fully extend their legs.

Another downside specific to the RF: With the power-folding roof down, air entering the cabin creates annoying wind buffeting. The RF seems like a way to appease Miata buyers who would prefer a coupe. For them, it's better to look at something like a Subaru BRZ or Toyota GR86 instead.

In-cabin tech

6.4/10

How’s the tech? The 8.8-inch touchscreen works well, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect wirelessly should you want to sync up your phone. You can also control CarPlay and Android Auto by touching the screen, which is a nice upgrade compared to previous model-year Miatas. Beyond that, though, the Miata's tech is fairly limited. The infotainment doesn't offer a lot, and the menus are cumbersome to navigate.

Storage & cargo

2.3/10

How’s storage and cargo? If you're planning to carry a lot of cargo on a regular basis, you're likely better off looking elsewhere. The Miata's 4.6 cubic feet of trunk space is super small. It's barely large enough to hold a small carry-on suitcase and backpack at the same time. The interior is equally compact; there are only a few storage spaces for small items.

Going for the RF over a soft-top Miata won't give you extra cargo space either. Both trunk and interior storage volumes are the same regardless of roof type.

Value

6.6/10

Is the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF a good value? Mazda seems to be working more and more premium features into the Miata with each small update. The tech gets better, the leather gets nicer, and more soft-touch materials make their way into the cabin. It's a premium look but we'd hope so considering the RF's lofty pricing. It's a lot more than a BRZ and similar to what you'd pay to get a bigger and more powerful Ford Mustang convertible.

Warranty coverage is nothing special. Mazda offers bumper-to-bumper coverage of three years/36,000 miles and powertrain coverage of five years/60,000 miles. Roadside assistance is available for three years/36,000 miles.

MPG

5/10

How’s the fuel economy? For as fun and rambunctious as this little thing is, it's still quite economical. With the manual, the EPA estimates it will get 29 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's quite a bit better than what a manual-equipped Subaru BRZ gets (22 mpg combined). We also found the EPA's estimate achievable in real-world driving.

X factor

10/10

The Miata is an incredibly straightforward car yet one whose goodness is hard to define. This car doesn't win you over because of its practicality, value or blistering performance. It's the way you feel when you drop the top and hit the road. It's the way this car just makes you smile all of the time. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is "fun to drive" defined.

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2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF pricing in Columbus, OH

Edmunds suggests you pay

Build & Price

Buying Tips for the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF for November

The 2026 MX-5 Miata RF is selling for about $1,400 under sticker with no general cash rebate, but supply is only moderate, so expect a decent deal rather than a fire sale.

Buyers are paying about $1,400 less than MSRP on average, or roughly 3.4% off, and there are no general customer rebates to stack on top. Trim discounts are pretty consistent, though the Club has a slight edge at about $1,500 off.
There are 718 new vehicles nationwide, which is enough choice but not abundant. The Club is much tighter at 161 new cars versus 557 for the Grand Touring, so you’ll likely have more flexibility on color and options if you shop the Grand Touring.
New vehicles are taking about 39 days to sell versus 34 days for the average model, which points to slightly softer demand. That helps explain the discounting, but not enough to expect huge concessions with supply still fairly limited.
Mazda is offering a promotional rate as low as 4.9% for 48 or 60 months for qualified buyers. That is well below typical market rates near 8%, so financing could save you more over time than pushing for a tiny extra discount.

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2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF trim level differences

The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is the hardtop convertible version of the standard soft-top Miata, which we review separately. It has two doors, two seats and comes in two versions: Club and Grand Touring. Both come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque) that sends power to the rear wheels. A six-speed manual is standard on both, but only the Grand Touring can be fitted with a six-speed automatic. Compare the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF trim levels in-depth.

Which MX-5 Miata RF trim does Edmunds recommend?

You should be happy with the Grand Touring model because it's more affordable, comes with more interior features, and offers the optional automatic transmission. But if you want a more engaging driving experience, the Club, with its additional performance features, is the way to go.

Competitors to consider

The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is literally in a league of its own. There aren't any other hardtop convertibles similar in size or in price. The closest vehicles are the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ coupes. Although they aren't convertibles, they are excellent alternatives if you want something larger. The new Honda Prelude is another coupe option. The Mini Cooper convertible and hatchback are somewhat close in size and price and are fun to drive, but they aren't rear-wheel-drive roadsters. To help you decide if the Miata RF is right for you, check out our Edmunds Expert Rating.

Edmunds spotlight: Manual or automatic

Choosing the type of transmission you want in the Miata RF determines what model and features you get. If you don't know how to use a manual transmission or prefer an automatic, then you can only get the Grand Touring model because the Club is only available with a manual. Therefore, the Club is more straightforward because the options don't change with the type of transmission. With the Grand Touring, if you opt for the automatic, you get a few features unique to it like adaptive cruise control and remote engine start. But you miss out on performance features that the manual-equipped Grand Touring gets such as Bilstein dampers and a limited-slip differential. And whichever transmission you get, the Brembo BBS Recaro performance package isn't offered with the Grand Touring.

Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.9

27 reviews

5(89%)

4(7%)

3(4%)

2(0%)

1(0%)

Owners Say

Overall, owner sentiment is positive. Owners love how fun, smooth, and easy this car is to drive, and many say it handles beautifully and gets lots of smiles. They also like the good gas mileage, nice looks, and helpful features like the touchscreen and safety tools. The main downsides are tight space, small storage, road noise, and some owners find the tech and controls a little tricky.

This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews

See all 27 reviews of the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF

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Most Helpful Owner Review

Perfect sports car!

Bran, 07/21/2020

2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6A)

Went from a 2011 camaro to a 2020 RF GT in eternal blue mica. Best purchase I’ve ever made! Absolutely a blast to drive, feels as fast as the camaro I traded in. I’m 6’1 and fit in easily with an inch or 2 of head room to spare. Cons: Interior is okay (Apple CarPlay/android auto is what saves the infotainment) wind noise isn’t the greatest at highway speeds but it’s not too loud, truck …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF, so we've included review for other years of the MX-5 Miata RF since its last redesign.

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2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Features & Specs

Trim:

Grand Touring

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$38,450
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Cost to Drive	$207/month
Seating	2 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	4.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Reliability

The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls.

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Where the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF ranks:

#2 in Convertibles

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Safety

Key safety features on the MX-5 Miata RF include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

Research other MX-5 Miata RF years

FAQ

Is the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2026 MX-5 Miata RF both on the road and at the track, giving it a 6.8 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2026 MX-5 Miata RF gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 27 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the MX-5 Miata RF has 4.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Mazda MX-5 Miata RF. Learn more

What's new in the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF:

Minor revisions to interior features
Part of the fourth MX-5 Miata generation introduced for 2016

Learn more

Is the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF reliable?

To determine whether the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the MX-5 Miata RF. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the MX-5 Miata RF's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2026 MX-5 Miata RF and gave it a 6.8 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2026 MX-5 Miata RF gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 27 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2026 MX-5 Miata RF is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?

The least-expensive 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $38,450.

Other versions include:

Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $38,450
Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6A) which starts at $39,420
Club 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $41,900

Learn more

What are the different models of Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?

If you're interested in the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF, the next question is, which MX-5 Miata RF model is right for you? MX-5 Miata RF variants include Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M), Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6A), and Club 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M). For a full list of MX-5 Miata RF models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$207/mo

$233/mo

Avg. Compact Car

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2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF

Pricing

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds Expert Rating

Driving experience

Comfort

In-cabin tech

Storage & cargo

Value

MPG

X factor

Grand Touring Editors' Pick

Club

Buying Tips for the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF for November

2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF trim level differences

Which MX-5 Miata RF trim does Edmunds recommend?

Competitors to consider

Edmunds spotlight: Manual or automatic

Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Reviews

Owner Reviews

Owners Say

Most Helpful Owner Review

2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Features & Specs

Reliability

Recalls

Warranty

Where the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF ranks:

Check a dealer's price

Safety

Key safety features on the MX-5 Miata RF include:

FAQ

Is the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF a good car?

What's new in the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?

Is the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF reliable?

Is the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?

What are the different models of Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?

Cost to Drive