Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Undistilled Driving Pleasure Still LivesI haven't driven the current ND Miata in about two years. I count it a distinct privilege when I get my hands one (and only when it's outfitted with the standard 6-speed manual transmission). This week, I took delivery of the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring with the stick, and I was giddy with anticipation, even more than when I received a 2026 BMW M5 Sedan just two weeks ago. The Miata is a purist's delight, and it just so happens that the weather in Chicago is perfect right now.The Miata is an anomaly, and not just because its a roadster. It's naturally-aspirated, rear-wheel drive, tiny, modestly powered, low tech, and has a manual soft top. But the Miata is stalwart in its execution as the rest of the sports car world has largely gone bigger in just about every way.The vehicle's standard feature highlights at this trim level included 17" alloy wheels, LED automatic and adaptive headlights, sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shocks, limited-slip differential, heated power side mirrors, heated leather bucket seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel/shift knob/parking brake handle, automatic climate control, 8.8" infotainment screen with nav, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bose 9-speaker premium audio system, frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror w/ HomeLink, push-button start, mesh aero board, door sill trim plates, and high-beam control.AdvertisementAdvertisementMy tester's base price was $35,730. With the optional $300 Tan Nappa Leather upholstery and the $1,235 destination fee, the total came to $37,265. After spending time with the top trim MX-5 soft top, I came away with a renewed appreciation for what makes this roadster so special.Exterior & Interior Styling - 8.75/10The Miata has managed to stay pretty fresh in its long life. It debuted in its current form in 2015, so that's pretty impressive. Usually, an 11-year-old car looks prettys stale in its final years. Credit for Mazda for giving the Miata great proportions and modest refreshes to keep it looking handsome. The sharp sloping nose, creased hood, cateye projector LED headlights, short rear deck, and low-slung stance make it instantly recognizable. I love the way the top edge of the headlights bleeds into the nose.View the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleThe Grand Touring trim adds a more upscale appearance with attractive 16-spoke two-tone alloy wheels, LED DRLs, body-colored side mirrors, and shark-fin trunk antenna give it a special look. It remains one of the few vehicles on the road that looks genuinely compact. Parked next to today's oversized SUVs and even small crossovers, the Miata is tiny. That's part of its charm. People still find it cute, and it makes them smile, unlike so many other higher-priced sports cars. All 2026 Miatas (except the retractable hardtop RF) get a black cloth top, now that the luscious tan-roofed 35th Anniversary from 2025 is no more.To call the cabin Spartan would be accurate. While the interior isn't what most would call luxurious, it at least adds rich tan Nappa Leather upholstery in Grand Touring guise. Shy of the touchscreen, everything is pretty much analog. Vents, instrumentation, HVAC controls, and the Commander infotainment controller are all round. It helps the interior look simple and consistent. The sport seats look good, as does the small steering wheel, which should really be a flat-bottom version for these tight dimensions.AdvertisementAdvertisementView the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleRather than add a lot to the interior, Mazda simply enhanced the look by giving the door card attractive angles, body-colored panels, and elegant lines. From a styling standpoint, the new touchscreen is larger and slightly modernizes the interior without overtaking the dashboard or impinging on visibility. Everything is pretty streamlined in here, and the result is an attractive, although decidedly uncomplicated cabin.Infotainment & Technology - 8/10As of 2024, the Miata benefits from a larger infotainment system, upsized to 8.8-inch from the previous 7.0-inch unit. The infotainment system also updates the interface to match with the rest of the lineup. It features a responsive display, straightforward menus, and support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Thankfully, it still has the physical Commander control knob between the seats. With its corresopnding physical menu buttons, it's easy to use while driving a stick because your right hand is there already. I can operate it without looking, a huge benefit to driving focus.The Grand Touring trim includes a premium 9-speaker Bose audio system that performs surprisingly well considering the challenges associated with a convertible cabin. One of the best things to do in a Miata on a sunny spring day is put the top down and crank your favorite tunes. The Bose system has enough power and bass to be enjoyable at 70 mph. The headrest speakers are a huge help with the top up or down, and you can make phone calls even with the top down thanks to great noise cancellation.Amos KwonMazda, thankfully, keeps things very simple. The low-tech interior is consistent with the Miata's purpose and ethos. There's no oversized screen stretching across the dashboard. Hell, there's no room, anyway. Nothing is overdone, and that's actually part of Mazda's legendary "Gram Strategy", an engineering philosophy that's committed to get rid of every unnecessary ounce of weight. Engineers scrutinize each component, cutting mass by a few grams at a time to make the Miata as light as it can be without sacrificing (too much) comfort.Comfort, Space, and Usability - 7/10Amos KwonAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Miata is decent for sub-6-footers. I'm 6', and I have to slam the seat as far back as possible, even with flat-soled driving shoes (the best way to experience the Miata's 3-pedal setup, by the way). That said, the seats are supportive and comfortable. Even in GT trim, the front passenger seat is manual only. Wind management with the baffle screen is very good. The climate-control system works effectively. I dropped the top on a chilly 50-degree morning, and I was fine with the heater on.Amos KwonThe three central knob controls for climate are big and easy to use. Audio is easily managed on the Commander control knob between the seats, just like most Mazdas. There's very little to fuss with when it comes to vehicle operations. One important mention. The Grand Touring trim thankfully gets the smaller frameless rearview mirror. Other trims still use a bulky black plastic-framed version that's occupies too much real estate on an already small windshield. This mirror should be standard equipment across the trim line.View the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleThe Miata is small and parsimonious when it comes to storage. The trunk is small at 4.59 cubic feet, enought to carry a few grocery bags or a couple of carry-on luggage rollers. The cupholders, located aft of your elbow on the center console, are a joke. They're removable, and there's also a slot located on the edge of the center console on the passenger side for another cupholder. They suck to use, but that's the point. They're supposed to be out of the way so you can focus on driving. They're only good for shorter cups, and I wouldn't recommend putting hot coffee in a paper cup if you plan on tossing the car around. If you must have your favorite beverage with you, then buy aftermarket cupholders or extenders that can accommodate coffee tumblers and larger bottles.AdvertisementAdvertisementThere are also no door pockets, and large smartphones literally do not fit anywhere except for the cupholders or the glovebox between the seat backrests. The small open compartment at the front of the center console can barely hold my iPhone 11 Pro Max, edging dangerously near the gearshift knob. It flew out several times during my spirited turns and passionate downshifts. I guess Mazda really does want you to "just drive" because you just can't keep your phone within reach. It's a small price to pay for the driving delights the Miata imparts.Driving Experience - 9.75/10Amos KwonThe Miata might be small and a bit low on power compared to competitors, but what a hoot it is to drive. This is driving enjoyment embodied. You can make an underpowered car a blast to drive if you give it a stick, but the Miata is so much more. Not only does it get a standard 6-speed manual, all stick Miatas now come equipped with a limited-slip differential as standard equipment. Mazda has also revised the Miata's already great suspension and power steering tuning, resulting in sharper responses and a more connected driving experience. The car feels more natural than before, and communication of driver, machine, and road has been improved.Amos KwonPower comes from Mazda's naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers look downright paltry compared to every other sports car (and even family sedans), especially in a world where family SUVs routinely exceed 300 horsepower. Yet the Miata soft top's lightweight 2,341 pounds transforms those figures into something truly undistilled in this day and age. You can push it hard into a turn, and the Miata will pivot with balletic grace and rear-wheel drive predictability. My two young boys love the car almost as much as I do. They asked me to keep this one. That never happens.Amos KwonAcceleration is spritely, and you can easily chirp the rear tires. The engine loves to rev, rewarding drivers who explore the upper reaches of the tachometer. More importantly, every input feels connected. The throttle responds immediately, the steering communicates directly, and the chassis seems to rotate effortlessly through corners. Gearbox throws are short, the clutch is light but not overly so, and each shift delivers a satisfying mechanical "snikt" each and every time. The pedals are also perfectly spaced for heel-and-toeing pleasures.Amos KwonAdvertisementAdvertisementThe suspension strikes an excellent balance between handling and comfort. Body motions are controlled without feeling harsh, and the car's low weight allows it to make razor sharp directional changes that are superbly balanced. Every corner, every threading of the needle in traffic, is a delight. It's the antithesis of the overly-cushy crossover, the floaty three-row SUV, and every other vehicle that's too techy, too complicated, and too isolating.Perhaps most importantly, the car feels approachable. You don't need professional driving skills to enjoy it, but the car does beg you to improve your skills in order to maximize the Miata's superb capabilities. I had more fun driving the Miata than any high-powered exotic I've driven recently, even the BMW M5 and the McLaren Artura Spider. The Miata encourages drivers to participate in every aspect of the driving experience rather than to simply be smitten by high output.Final Verdict - 9.75/10After spending time with the 2026 Mazda Miata Grand Touring, I came away with a renewed appreciation for what makes this roadster so special. In an era when vehicles continue to grow larger, heavier, and more complex, the Miata is about having maximum fun in a small, lightweight, rear-wheel drive, manual transmission sports car. More than three decades after the original debuted, Mazda's iconic roadster still proves that simplicity and driving purity can be more rewarding than just about anything else on the road.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jun 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.