Mazda Miata History

The first Mazda Miata was introduced to the market in February 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show. It’s a two-seat roadster that has maintained a cult following since its release. At the point of its release, there were few 2-seat roadsters on the market. Mazda searched for driving proposals from designers in the United States and Japan, eventually going with a Japanese design: a lightweight, unibody with the engine in the front and rear-wheel drive. Many roadsters were discontinued around the time of the first Mazda Miata release, and that, in tandem with the loveable design and low price tag, made the first Mazda Miata an incredibly popular purchase for drivers in Santa Clarita and beyond. Learn more about the Mazda Miata history with Hello Mazda of Valencia.

When Was the First Miata Made?

When was the first Miata made? So the first introduction of the Mazda Miata was at the Chicago Auto Show in 1989, and was officially released later in the 1990 model year. The first generation was released and continued on until 1997. The Miata was first developed with a 116 horsepower 1.6-liter engine, and the design was bold, with pop up headlights inspired by the Lotus Elan. 

Second Generation Mazda Miata

From the first Mazda Miata, the model has routinely been a bestseller, and in 2000, it received a Guiness World Record as the best-selling convertible. Released in 1997, the second generation brought some significant changes, including the removal of the pop-up lights. This generation offered a variety of special edition models, all of which provided refined interiors and more engine power. 

Third Generation Mazda Miata

In 2005, the third generation of the Mazda Miata was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show, with additions like a 2.0L inline-four engine that delivered 170 horsepower. This model, originally named the NC MX-5, has an all-new unibody and a Power Retractable Hard Top. 

Fourth Generation Mazda Miata

Production of the first Mazda Miata in the fourth generation began in 2015. The fourth generation was awarded a number of times. For instance, it won the “2015-2016 Car of the Year Japan Award”, the “2016 World Car of the Year Award,” Car and Driver‘s “10 Best list from 2016 to 2019,” and more.

Explore the Mazda Miata in Person at Hello Mazda of Valencia! 

After exploring the Mazda Miata history, come visit our team at Hello Mazda of Valencia and get behind the wheel of one of these dynamic and sporty little coupes. The most recent model years bring more powerful engines that can upgrade your enjoyment on any Valencia or Sylmar ride. Contact us today to set up a test drive of one of these models.