2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF

Price Range: $37,350 - $40,650 ^{Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.}

The 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata is "fun to drive" defined. It still accomplishes the same goal as the first Miata from 35 years ago: Put a huge smile on the face of its driver with nimble handling, a sweet-shifting gearbox, and wind in your hair. Admittedly, the Miata RF gets you less wind than a regular Miata, but you also get a quieter experience and greater security with the top up.Read full review

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MazdaUSA.com

MSRP excludes tax, title, license fees and $1,185 destination charge (Alaska $1,230). Vehicle shown may be priced higher. Actual dealer price will vary. See dealer for complete details.

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Pricing

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Edmunds suggests you pay

$37,908

4 for sale near you

Prices based on sales in MI thru 6/2/25

Final assembly in Japan

2 Trims

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2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Review

by the Edmunds Experts

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 buffeting with the roof off
Tiny trunk
Poor over-the-shoulder visibility

What's new

Carries over unchanged for 2025
Part of the fourth MX-5 Miata generation introduced for 2016

Overview

In baseball, "RF" indicates the dude standing out in right field. To the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF, it indicates a unique hardtop design with a power-retractable middle bit that replaces the standard Miata's sling-it-over-your-shoulder soft top. It adds some security and a distinctive look without diminishing the Miata's nimble handling or adding a whole lot of weight.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Michigan.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Michigan

Not EPA tested

$166/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Edmunds spotlight: All about the roof

Unlike the fully retractable hardtop that the previous-generation Miata offered, the RF's roof design keeps a roll bar-like portion in place at all times. Lowering the roof is a neat process to watch: The roll bar-like portion temporarily lifts up and back as the roof portion folds up and gets stored below. The Miata RF's rear window also disappears along with the roof bits. It provides an airier experience, but the remaining roll bar portion still causes quite a bit of wind noise and buffeting that you don't get with the Miata's fully retractable soft top.

Competitors to consider

There's nothing like the Miata. Literally. The handful of competitors it's had through four generations have all come and gone. The BMW Z4 and Porsche 718 Boxster are really the only other roadsters on the market, but they're twice as expensive or more. The Mini Convertible is closer in price but totally different in concept. That leaves the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ twins as the closest to the Miata RF in terms of being light rear-wheel-drive performance coupes with affordable price tags. You can't take off their roofs, but the RF's quasi-hardtop design at least brings it closer to the Toyabaru twins than the standard Miata.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict

^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

9/10

How does the MX-5 Miata RF drive? The Miata's performance 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 great canyon road or playing around at your local track day. The Miata's drivetrain is happiest revving its little heart out but is more than 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 also work well for smooth stops in city traffic. And if there's a better-shifting manual transmission on the market, we'd love to know.

Comfort

7/10

How comfortable is the MX-5 Miata RF? The Grand Touring trim is better suited for daily driving than the Club trim because it doesn't come standard with the stiffer-riding Bilstein dampers. Even so, no Miata is what we'd call harsh or unpleasant. The Club also gets Recaro seats that have additional side bolstering to hold you in place while cornering. They're comfortable, but the stock seats are pretty good too.

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

Interior

7/10

How’s the interior? The Miata's cabin is simple and straightforward: What you see is what you get. The controls are easy to access, and everything's within arm's reach, even if it means having to contort to open that makeshift glovebox between the seats.

Drivers over 6 feet tall may actually find sufficient head- 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 regardless of how far back they push the seats. The lack of space is this interior's only real downfall, though not a particularly surprising one.

There is another downside specific to the RF. The power-folding hardtop creates major blind spots behind the cabin, and the way it filters air in and around the passenger compartment creates unnecessary wind buffeting. The RF seems like a way to appease buyers who want a Miata but would prefer a coupe. At that point, maybe it's time to look at something like a Subaru BRZ or Toyota GR86 instead.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Save as much as $627 with Edmunds ^{Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $627 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the Grand Touring trim.}

2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF pricing in Temperance, MI

Edmunds suggests you pay

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$37,350
Starting MSRP
2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
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MazdaUSA.com
MSRP excludes tax, title, license fees and $1,185 destination charge (Alaska $1,230). Vehicle shown may be priced higher. Actual dealer price will vary. See dealer for complete details.

Build & Price

Technology

8.5/10

How’s the tech? The 8.8-inch touchscreen works well, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect wirelessly should you want to synch 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.

A decent number of driver assistance features come standard on the Miata. Adaptive cruise control, however, comes on the Grand Touring only. The blind-spot warning system definitely comes in handy because of the RF's big blind spots.

Storage

5.5/10

How’s the storage? 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.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Fuel Economy

9.5/10

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.

Value

7.5/10

Is the 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.

Wildcard

9/10

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.

Which MX-5 Miata RF does Edmunds recommend?

Whether you get the Club or Grand Touring, you're bound to have lots of fun behind the wheel of the Miata RF ... even if you select the automatic. That said, please don't. If you were ever going to learn (or just enjoy) driving a manual, this is the car to do it in. It also brings with it several key performance upgrades. As such, we would recommend the Grand Touring to more buyers. It costs less than the Club, and we think more people would more frequently appreciate its extra comfort features over the Club's lighter wheels, Brembo brakes and Recaro sport seats.

Compare 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.8

40 reviews

5(87%)

4(7%)

3(2%)

2(0%)

1(4%)

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Owner Reviews Summary

The overall sentiment from owners about the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is positive. They love how fun and sporty it is to drive, with great handling and a stylish design. The car is comfortable and offers good gas mileage, but some owners mention it's a bit cramped with limited storage. A few wish for improved tech features and more interior amenities, like better cup holders and power seats.

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

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Most Helpful Owner Review

Drive It Like You Stole It

scmtbdoon, 01/17/2020

2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6A)

I own a 2019 MX-5 RF. I never considered a soft top to be practical enough for my daily driver. The MX-5 isn’t really that practical (like a Mazda3 hatch), but it is practical enough - it is weather tight and holds my gear. The new 181 hp engine with 7500 rpm redline also provides broader horsepower and torque bands – and a wailing good time! There is a reason that Porsche sells … Boxters and Caymans. They have shown there is a market for a soft and hard top version of basically the same car. Porsche has also shown there is a market for both automatic and manual transmissions in sports cars. It increases the overall sales volume and amortizes the cost of development over more units. This makes a 2 seat vehicle (that appeals to a small fraction of buyers) a more commercially viable proposition. Mazda is trying to do the same thing, at less than half the price. And unlike the more insulated / isolated Boxter and Cayman the MX-5 can be wrung-out at less than lethal speeds. My 2019 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring Retractable Fastback has a 6 speed automatic. It stays in automatic when traffic is stop and go. But 99% of the time I drive it in the manual shift gate for more control on curves and grades. I prefer slap-shifting the stick, but the paddles are just as fast. Stomp the gas pedal and it instantly kicks down 2 gears to pass. You can bounce it off the 7500 rpm rev-limiter and it will not shift up. It will shift down automatically – but only as the car rolls to a stop. Every up-shift is a speed shift because you never take your foot off the gas. No power pause between gears. It looks great with the top up or down. So much control and feedback to all your senses. Bashing about on mountain 2 lane it makes you feel like you are going fast even at 45 mph. With the top down, you hear the engine, smell the forest, feel the air rush over the car body, feel the road condition through the steering wheel, the suspension and the brakes. All responses are instantaneous, precise and linear – whether turning the steering wheel, pressing the gas pedal, down shifting or applying the brakes. The steering is very precise, with immediate turn-in. You can place the car exactly where you want it with no steering correction. Good torque as low as 2500 rpm with great torque from about 3500 to 7000 rpm. And it sounds strong and smooth all the way to redline. In the RF, with the top down and windows up with temperatures in the low 40s you’ll be nice and warm without a jacket or sweater. EPA says the automatic is more gas-frugal than the manual. Professional reviewers report that 0-60 mph is only about 0.2 seconds slower than the manual – around 6.0 to 6.5 seconds depending on how much you are abusing the engine and transmission. Head into a posted 30 mph bend at 45, down shift into 2nd gear and start applying gas as you reach the apex. No brakes, just exhaust note as the auto-box does a rev matching down shift, then momentum into apex and 3 seconds of 2nd gear acceleration before entering the next bend. You’ll be grinning, with no hooligan stunts required – just fast (almost legal) snaking through the S-bends. You’re going 30-60 mph but it feels faster and way-more-fun than a heavier more powerful car. At 70 mph in 6th gear with the top up the engine and tire noise are not intrusive. You can have a conversation in fairly normal tones. The head rest speakers and speed sensitive volume adjustment work quite well to deliver good sound. As a daily driver, your size matters. At 5’-10” / 165 lbs. I am 3 notches from maximum seat travel and find the seats very comfortable and supportive – no sliding around, even without huge side bolsters. I have plenty of room for my U.S. size 9.5 feet and my knees don't touch the steering wheel, center console or door. However, at 6’-2” or 200+ lbs. you might have issues. Cockpit storage is small and not very convenient. The (extra cost) Mazda cargo net is about $40 on the web and a Rubber Maid bin from the hardware store is around $20. Both will add flexibility when finding a home for your stuff – and when quickly emptying the trunk so you can go to the supermarket for 3 bags of groceries. The new telescoping steering wheel will help you find a good seat position. The 4.5 cubic ft. trunk is small, but deep and well-shaped. However, the opening is fairly small. Definitely take your “gear” to the dealership and give the trunk and the cockpit cubbies a fit-test when you go for a test drive. There is no jack and no spare tire – just a compressor that runs off the car battery and injects magic goo into the tire. If you use the compressor and goo I believe you may be buying at least one new tire, and possibly a set of 4 (if the surviving 3 are visibly worn). This wake-up call from my long-time Michelin tire store. So keep your mobile phone charged and use the free 3 year Mazda roadside assistance to have the car hauled to the tire store so the flat can be patched!

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF, so we've included review for other years of the MX-5 Miata RF since its last redesign.

See all 40 reviews of the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF

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2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Features & Specs

Trim:

Grand Touring

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$37,350
Engine Type	Gas
Seating	2 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	4.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF

At a Glance:

2 Trims
$37,350starting MSRP

Search Inventory MazdaUSA.com

MSRP excludes tax, title, license fees and $1,185 destination charge (Alaska $1,230). Vehicle shown may be priced higher. Actual dealer price will vary. See dealer for complete details.

Safety

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

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

FAQ

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

The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 MX-5 Miata RF both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.6 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2025 MX-5 Miata RF gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 40 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 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF:

Carries over unchanged for 2025
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 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 MX-5 Miata RF and gave it a 7.6 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2025 MX-5 Miata RF gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 40 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 MX-5 Miata RF is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?

The least-expensive 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is the 2025 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 $37,350.

Other versions include:

Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $37,350
Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6A) which starts at $38,320
Club 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $40,650

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

2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF

Pricing

2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Michigan.

Edmunds spotlight: All about the roof

Competitors to consider

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Save as much as $627 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $627 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the Grand Touring trim.

Edmunds suggests you pay

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which MX-5 Miata RF does Edmunds recommend?

Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Reviews

Owner Reviews

Owner Reviews Summary

Most Helpful Owner Review

Drive It Like You Stole It

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2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Features & Specs

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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 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?

Is the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF reliable?

Is the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?

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

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Michigan.}

Save as much as $627 with Edmunds ^{Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $627 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the Grand Touring trim.}