---
title: "The Mazda Miata Now Officially Costs More than $30,000"
date: "2026-01-28"
modified: "2026-01-28"
authors:
  - name: "Byron Hurd"
    job_title: "Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/byron-hurd"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-mazda-miata-now-officially-costs-more-than-30000"
categories:
  - "Car Buying"
  - "Mazda News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Mazda Miata"
  - "sports car"
---

# The Mazda Miata Now Officially Costs More than $30,000

![2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-mazda-mx5-hero.jpg>)
*\<em\>Mazda\</em\>*

The Mazda Miata has [evolved into a serious enthusiast bargain](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/were-living-in-the-golden-age-of-the-affordable-new-miata>). Back in the day, the first-gen MX-5 carried the same price tag as a V8 pony car. These days, it costs a couple grand more than the Honda Civic hatchback. That might say more about the state of car prices in general than it does about the affordability of Mazda's roadster, but here we are nevertheless.

By today's measure, the 2026 Miata is still a bargain, it's just *slightly* less of a bargain than last year. The soft-top Sport now starts at $31,665 ($30,430 + destination). That's $600 more than the equivalent 2025 model, which isn't too egregious. After all, Mazda builds the Miata in Japan, making the [impact of tariffs](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/automakers-are-running-out-of-ways-to-hide-rising-prices>) inevitable. Both the soft-top Club and the base RF (which is the Grand Touring; no Sport is offered) went up by the same amount, while the RF Club trim went up by $750.

Apart from the price change and the departure of the 35th Anniversary model, the 2026 Miata carries on essentially unchanged, down to the notoriously conservative color palette. Premium finishes in 2026 are limited to Aero Gray, Snowflake White, Soul Red, and Machine Gray.

The Miata's grounded starting price isn't the only good news for enthusiasts in 2026. Subaru just announced that the WRX's base trim is returning this year, [bringing its starting price down by about five grand](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/2026-subaru-wrx-gets-5000-cheaper-with-return-of-the-base-model>). Subaru also plans to increase production compared to last year, when WRX sales [dipped considerably](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/subaru-wrx-sales-hit-an-all-time-low-in-2025>) thanks to short supply and higher base prices.

*Got a news tip? Let us know at tips@thedrive.com!*

## Author
Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories. He brings a light, punchy style to all of his content, believing that there's plenty out there to be laughed at—himself included. Born and raised in Maryland but now based just a stone's throw from Detroit, Byron is an auto enthusiast and generalist who enjoys building and tinkering with things of all kinds, from cars, computers and digital cityscapes, to the new garage that will soon house his fleet (a CT4-V Blackwing, a JK Wrangler and an NA Miata). Inspired by an early love of rollercoasters, Byron quickly caught the high-performance driving itch. He's been tracking and auto-crossing his cars since 2007. In his downtime, Byron enjoys reading, playing city builders, and studying the history of the Motor City.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/byron-drives.bsky.social>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/byronhurd/>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/byron-hurd-252653a/>)