Most cars, whether they take the form of an SUV, sedan, or pickup truck, are first and foremost pragmatic things. They’re meant to fulfill specific duties of work, whether that means hauling kids to soccer practice or mulch for the garden.
The 2026 Mazda MX-5 RF is not a practical thing, and its duty is not to labor. But that doesn’t mean this Miata roadster with a retracting hardtop roof isn’t without a mission. By my calculation, this car is more fun than 99% of others out there, yet doesn’t cost a fortune to own and operate. Its purpose is to bring joy to drivers, and it 100% excels at that. This is a niche car for a niche set of drivers. It’s a mouse among lions. And it enables some of the most joy you’ll ever have behind the wheel of a car.
Which Trim Level
For the uninitiated, the Mazda MX-5 RF is a specialty variant of what is already a special car: the MX-5 Miata, a 2-seat, rear-wheel-drive roadster that has been beloved by driving enthusiasts since its debut in 1990.
The MX-5 RF debuted in 2017, a year into the Miata’s fourth generation. It swaps the usual cloth convertible top for a retractable hardtop. Unlike the fully retracting hardtop available in the last-gen Miata, however, the RF retracts only a central panel of the roof, resulting in a wicked-good-looking form that still functions as a convertible by letting in the sun and air.
Porsche has been doing this with the 911 since 1965 and calls its version a Targa. Mazda dubs this a “retractable fastback” – RF.
The standard, cloth-top MX-5 is available in three trims: Sport, Club, and Grand Touring. The RF comes in two flavors: Club and Grand Touring. The model I tested is the Club, which, in the case of the RF, is the pricier of the two despite not having features such as built-in navigation, adaptive front lighting, and automatic climate control. However, you do get Brembo performance front brakes, BBS forged 17-inch wheels, heated Recaro seats, Alcantara interior trim, and racy exterior bits like side sill extensions.
New 2026 MAZDA MX-5 Miata RF Prices
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Retail Price
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Fair Purchase Price (92620)
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$39,685 |
$37,800 |
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$43,135 |
$41,000 |
Favorite Feature
Beyond the sheer driving experience that I’ll get to next, my favorite thing about the MX-5 RF is its namesake retracting roof.
A hardtop convertible is like having two cars in one: a roadster and a coupe. Unlike the last generation Mazda MX-5 (the NC, for Miata-philes), the full roof doesn’t retract on the RF – just the center panel does. But with it open, you still get many of the benefits of a convertible: wind in your hair, sun on your face, and the ability to be part of the environment you’re driving through. And I personally like the idea of still having the rear pillars and a portion of the roof attached. It looks cool and provides a stronger sense of security.
With the roof panel in place, you get far more security, both from the elements and would-be perpetrators. They won’t be getting through this roof, no matter how sharp an instrument they have.
What It’s Like to Drive
If you get even a semblance of joy from driving, I dare you not to smile while driving a Miata. It’s just a fun machine.
This has always been the case with MX-5 models. I’ve driven every generation of them, and I owned a second-gen NB for a decade as my daily driver. It remains truer than ever today. Read any review of a Miata and you’re bound to see it compared to a go-kart. But that’s true, too. And yeah, long before I could drive legally, I had a go-kart. The Miata is just a bigger one of that.
For a proper Miata experience, you must have the 6-speed manual transmission. Yes, an automatic is available, but the manual remains among the best out there. Its engagement is easy and simply perfect in operation, and I give kudos to Mazda for sticking with it in both the Miata and the Mazda3 hatchback.
The Miata has never been about oversized power, and that also remains. It only has 181 horsepower, but that’s more than enough in a car that weighs less than 2,500 pounds. It’s quick, but moreover, the 2026 Mazda MX-5 RF is precise and balanced.
Few cars can corner and dart through traffic like a Miata.
Interior Comfort and Technology
Here’s another thing about the Miata: It’s never been grand in size or in creature comforts. In the 15 years since I owned a Miata, I feel like its cabin has only gotten more cramped — or I’ve become less limber.
I’m not exactly tall and still consider myself athletic, but I felt like I was doing a human origami exercise every time I folded myself into or out of the MX-5. My colleague Mike Danger, at 6-foot-4, also swears he loves the Miata, but I truly don’t know how he fits himself into this car. But it’s proof that it’s possible.
Once inside, the cabin is comfortable enough. And you can sure bet everything is within reach.
This generation of MX-5 debuted a decade ago, and it was never exactly a tech powerhouse. That’s just not the point of this car. That said, it covers modern needs with an 8.8-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Alexa Built-in, and a Bose 9-speaker audio system with headrest speakers.
Limitations
Some of the Miata’s limitations are inherent. With just two seats, barely two cupholders, and a trunk that might fit one suitcase, this is anything but a family vehicle. This is a driver’s car through and through.
It’s also loud, even with the roof in place. And because it’s so small and sits so low, every other car seems like a giant. For example, a Toyota Camry looked huge next to me, while the Ford F-150 on the other side may as well have been a rolling skyscraper. For better or worse, you will learn to be a very defensive driver in such a small vehicle.
Key Considerations
The Miata has always been and remains a special car for a special set of drivers: Enthusiasts who simply love the simple act of driving — preferably open-air driving — and would rather corner-carve than treat every traffic signal as a drag race.
Despite its inherent limitations, the Mazda MX-5 RF always put a smile on my face. It’s the kind of car that will make you come up with excuses to just run to the market. Hey, it will at least have room for a gallon of milk.
