Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The Mazda MX-5 Miata needs a thank-you note. For 35 years, through four generations, across economic downturns, crossover booms, electrification mandates, and the systematic extinction of affordable sports cars from nearly every other manufacturer's lineup, Mazda has continued to build a small, light, rear-drive roadster with a naturally aspirated engine, a manual gearbox, and a commitment to driver engagement that borders on the spiritual.Kyle EdwardThe 35th Anniversary Edition, finished in Artisan Red Metallic over tan Nappa leather, limited to 350 units in the United States, is the latest celebration of that stubbornness. It's also, not incidentally, one of the most purely joyful cars currently in production at any price. 181 horsepower, 2,366 pounds. Those two numbers explain everything.Artisan Red and a Very Short Options ListThe 35th Anniversary Edition is based on the Grand Touring trim but borrows performance hardware from the Club: Bilstein dampers, an asymmetric limited-slip differential, and shock tower bracing. It comes exclusively as a soft-top with the six-speed manual. No automatic. No RF hardtop. Mazda gave it a beige cloth roof, bright-finish 17-inch wheels, and a color-matched rear spoiler, along with serialized 35th Anniversary fender badging and a tan Nappa leather-wrapped key fob sleeve.Kyle EdwardThe broader 2026 MX-5 lineup spans from the Sport soft-top at $31,665 to the RF Grand Touring at $43,135. For the price of a well-optioned compact crossover, you can buy a car with a limited-slip diff, Bilstein suspension, Bose audio, heated Nappa seats, and a direct connection to 35 years of the world's best-selling roadster lineage. The Miata has always been about value and fun.Every Number Has a Job HereThe Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four produces 181 hp at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm, with a redline of 7,500 rpm. It's not a powerful engine by any modern standard, and that's entirely the point. Mazda could have turbocharged it. Mazda could have installed a larger-displacement unit. Instead, the engineers kept the engine light, kept it naturally aspirated, and focused on making every one of those 181 horsepower feel earned and accessible.Kyle EdwardThe six-speed manual has short, precise throws and a mechanical action that rewards quick, deliberate shifts. It's one of the best manual gearboxes in the industry. The clutch is light enough for traffic and communicative enough for spirited driving. The limited-slip differential ensures both rear wheels work in concert through corners, and the Bilstein dampers provide a firmer, more controlled ride than the base car's standard shocks without crossing into punishing territory.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe car sits on a 91.7-inch wheelbase and stretches just 154.1 inches long, 68.3 inches wide, and 48.8 inches tall. It's tiny. The trunk holds 4.6 cubic feet, enough for a duffel bag. The fuel tank holds 11.9 gallons. The entire car exists in service of a single idea: minimize everything that isn't directly related to the act of driving.It Feels Better to Drive with the Top DownDrop the soft top, which takes one hand and about three seconds, slot the shifter into first, and the MX-5 immediately gets better. The steering is hydraulically weighted in its precision, even though it's electrically assisted; it's the kind of rack that tells you what the front tires are doing at every moment, that lets you place the car with millimeter accuracy through a corner, that makes you seek out turns you'd normally straighten. The weight is perfect. The ratio is perfect. It's the best steering in any car under $40,000, and it's better than most cars at twice the price.Kyle EdwardThe engine doesn't overwhelm the chassis, and that's the MX-5's fundamental trick. With 181 hp in a 2,366-pound car, you can use the full rev band, every gear, on public roads without breaking the law or your nerve. Rev it to 7,000 rpm, grab the next gear, do it again. The ride quality in the 35th Anniversary strikes a smart balance. The Bilstein dampers are firmer than the base car's, but still compliant enough for daily driving. The car's light weight means the suspension doesn't have to work as hard to control body motions, and the result is a ride that's taut without being harsh. On a twisting road, the MX-5 flows through direction changes with a fluidity that heavier, more powerful cars simply cannot replicate.Light and Easy to TrustThe MX-5's near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution and short wheelbase create a chassis that rotates with minimal provocation. Turn-in is immediate. The rear follows the front with a natural, progressive arc that inspires confidence. The limited-slip differential keeps the inside rear wheel from spinning uselessly during hard corner exits, and the Bilstein dampers manage weight transfer cleanly through transitions.Kyle EdwardThe MX-5's suspension isn't designed to be flat and stiff like a track car. It's designed to be communicative, to let the driver feel what the chassis is doing and respond accordingly. That transparency is what makes the car so rewarding. You always know where you stand with the MX-5, and it never punishes a mistake harshly enough to shake your confidence. Braking from 60 mph takes approximately 113 feet, which is strong for the class. Pedal feel is progressive and predictable.Tan Nappa and Not Much RoomThe 35th Anniversary's tan Nappa leather, with Artisan Red Metallic accents on the air vents and door trim, creates a memorable environment. The 35th Anniversary logos embossed in the headrests, the tan carpeting and floor mats, and the color-matched key fob sleeve all contribute to a sense of occasion. The seats are supportive enough for spirited driving, with three-level heating for cooler mornings with the top down.Kyle EdwardThe 8.8-inch Mazda Connect display handles infotainment duties with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is simple and responsive, though the screen sits a bit far from the driver and isn't a touchscreen while in motion. The Bose nine-speaker audio system punches well above its weight for the cabin's size, delivering impressive clarity even with the top down at highway speeds.AdvertisementAdvertisementSpace is minimal. The MX-5 is a two-seater with a trunk you could generously describe as "present." Headroom is tight for taller drivers, and there's nowhere to put anything beyond the essentials. None of this is a criticism. It's the tax on building a car this small, this light, and this focused. You know what you're signing up for.VerdictThe 2026 MX-5 Miata 35th Anniversary Edition wins you over the moment you drop the top, slot the shifter into first, and aim it at a good road. The steering feels alive. The engine begs to be revved. The chassis dances through corners with a balance that makes every drive feel special. At 2,366 pounds and 181 hp, it is a reminder that the best driver's car is not always the fastest or most powerful one.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.