The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a minor miracle. In a world filled with cars that have to be nearly everything, it persists as a car that is one simple thing. It has remained a great driver’s car for thirty-five years.
Most great, long-running cars go through a period when their manufacturers try to expand on what they are. It dilutes them. But there’s never been an overly luxurious Miata, never been an overpowered Miata, never been a 4-door Miata or the Miata name on some second car, slightly altered. Mazda engineers got it right the first time and have only ever refined it.
They’ll honor their perfect little handling-first droptop with a stunning special edition as it reaches middle age and starts paying more attention to its 401k balance. If there’s a mistake here, it’s that Mazda will build fewer of them than the market will buy. But restraint has always served this car well.
Mazda will build just 300 copies of the 35th Anniversary edition Miata for the U.S. Scarcity brings high prices. But if that happens with this car, dealer markups will get the blame. Mazda will ask just $37,435 for each (including the mandatory destination charge). Alaska residents should add another $45 for shipping.
Appearance Changes, Not Mechanical Upgrades
The anniversary model uses the Grand Touring trim as a base. That means heated seats, a Bose audio system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto inside. It also means an asymmetrical limited-slip differential to take near-perfect handling as close to perfect as it gets, shock tower bracing, and sport-tuned Bilstein dampers.
It comes only with a 6-speed manual transmission mated to the same 181-horsepower engine that powers every 2025 Miata.
But you buy this car for its beauty. Mazda paints it in an impossibly shimmery, deep Artisan Red. We’ve seen the shade on the CX-90 before, where it looks great. But the bulk and slab sides of a 3-row SUV mean it doesn’t capture sunlight like it does on a tiny roadster so low most adults can climb in without opening the door if the windows are down.
On a low MX-5 with organic curves, the shade catches light and inspires it to dance.
Mazda hasn’t offered the beige cloth top at all for the 2025 model year — a real shame — but brings it back just for this model. It matches the hue of the Nappa leather inside.
Designers worked in a few 35th-anniversary badges, but they’re tastefully done. You’ll find them on the headrests and the Nappa leather-wrapped keyfob sleeve.
With just 300 headed stateside, this will be one of the rarest Miata special editions ever. “To celebrate this, 35th Anniversary customers will be invited to a special owner experience that is sure to excite,” the company says.
