Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro says an electric MX-5 is under consideration, but battery weight remains the biggest obstacle. Can the Miata preserve its legendary driving spirit?
Mazda’s legendary MX-5 Miata is once again making headlines, this time because of its future. In an interview with Road & Track, Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro confirmed that the company is actively considering an electric version of its iconic roadster. However, one major obstacle still stands in the way: weight.
For decades, the MX-5 has represented something many modern sports cars have gradually moved away from—lightweight engineering, mechanical simplicity, rear-wheel drive, and an engaging manual transmission. Rather than chasing outright horsepower, Mazda built the Miata around the pure joy of driving.
Why the MX-5 Means So Much to Enthusiasts
Since its debut in 1989, the MX-5 has become the world’s best-selling two-seat sports car. More than just a successful model, it has developed one of the most loyal enthusiast communities in the automotive world.
Ask any Miata owner what makes the car special, and you’ll rarely hear horsepower figures first. Instead, they’ll talk about its balance, lightweight chassis, precise steering, and the connection it creates between driver and machine.
That philosophy is summed up by Mazda’s famous “Jinba Ittai” concept—the harmony between horse and rider—which has shaped every generation of the MX-5.
The Biggest Obstacle: Battery Weight
According to Moro, Mazda isn’t ruling out an all-electric MX-5. In fact, the next-generation platform is being engineered so it could support a battery-electric powertrain if needed. The real challenge is ensuring the car doesn’t lose the lightweight character that defines the Miata experience.
Mazda is also expected to introduce its new SkyActiv-Z gasoline engine in the next-generation MX-5, while hybrid solutions remain under evaluation. The company has repeatedly emphasized that preserving driving enjoyment is more important than simply following industry trends.
Keeping the Manual Transmission Alive
Another key part of the MX-5’s identity is its manual gearbox.
Mazda has made it clear that, as long as regulations and technology allow, it wants future MX-5 models to continue offering the engaging driving experience enthusiasts expect. For many fans, a Miata without a manual transmission simply wouldn’t feel like a Miata anymore.
Remembering Tom Matano
As discussions about the MX-5’s future continue, it’s impossible not to remember Tom Matano, one of the most influential figures behind the Miata’s success.
Matano, who sadly passed away in September 2025, played a crucial role in shaping the original MX-5 and also contributed to the legendary RX-7. His design philosophy focused on creating cars that were timeless, lightweight, and enjoyable to drive rather than simply powerful.
His legacy continues to live on every time an MX-5 takes to the road, reminding enthusiasts why the Miata became far more than just another sports car.
Can an Electric Miata Still Feel Like a Miata?
The automotive industry is moving steadily toward electrification, and Mazda knows the MX-5 will eventually have to evolve as well.
The question isn’t whether an electric MX-5 can be built—it certainly can. The real question is whether it can deliver the same lightweight, connected, driver-focused experience that has made the Miata a global icon for more than three decades.
For Mazda, preserving that spirit appears to matter just as much as embracing the future.
