2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata: Soft Top or RF, Which Roadster Fits You?

September 24th, 2026 by

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is Mazda’s lightweight two-seat sports car, now in its fourth generation. For 2026 you can choose the MX-5 Miata with a soft top or the MX-5 Miata RF with a retractable hardtop. Both share the same engine and driving feel. Here’s how to decide.

What Every MX-5 Shares

  • Rear-wheel drive with a front midship-mounted engine
  • Near 50/50 weight distribution for smooth, connected driving
  • A Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 181 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque
  • Seating for two
  • Standard Kinematic Posture Control, which works with the suspension and brakes to help suppress body roll in corners

Mazda sums up the character in two words: “Built to respond”.

Soft Top or RF: The Roof Is the Difference

Mazda says the main difference between the two is the roof.

MX-5 Miata (soft top). A cloth convertible top that you open and close by hand. It comes in three trims: Sport, Club and Grand Touring.

MX-5 Miata RF. A hard retractable fastback roof that opens electronically with a switch in the center console. It retracts in about 13 seconds, and it tucks into its own compartment. The RF comes in Club and Grand Touring trims, and Grand Touring adds available Tan Nappa leather seats.

Either way, a top-down drive to Annapolis on a fall afternoon is a great way to spend a Saturday.

Manual or Automatic

A Skyactiv-MT 6-speed manual with a short-throw shifter is standard. Grand Touring models of both the soft top and the RF have an available 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Manual models add an Asymmetric Limited Slip Differential to help stability and steering precision.

Club models add a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein dampers, and soft-top Club models have an available BBS/Brembo/Recaro Package.

Tech and Safety

  • Alexa Built-in, an 8.8-inch display and Apple CarPlay integration
  • Standard Smart Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitoring and Lane Departure Warning System
  • Standard Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control
  • Available Mazda Radar Cruise Control on automatic models

Need a back seat most days but still want something fun? The Mazda3 Hatchback has an available 2.5 Turbo engine.

Mazda MX-5 Miata FAQ

Can I get an MX-5 Miata with an automatic?
Yes. A 6-speed automatic is available on Grand Touring models of both the soft top and the RF.

What’s the difference between the MX-5 Miata and the RF?
The roof. The soft top is a manual cloth top, and the RF has a power-retractable hard fastback roof.

Is the MX-5 Miata rear-wheel drive?
Yes, every MX-5 Miata is rear-wheel drive.

Test Drive an MX-5 Miata in Pasadena

The roof choice is personal, so try both. Call Sales at 410-766-4000 and we’ll have a soft top and an RF ready, weather permitting.

Rich Morton Mazda
51 Mountain Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122
Sales: 410-766-4000

Sales is open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 9 PM, and Saturday, 9 AM to 7 PM.

Vehicle details are per Mazda USA (mazdausa.com) as of September 2026. Features and availability vary by trim; see dealer for details. Mazda Connected Services includes a trial period; subscription fees apply after. Alexa is a trademark of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Apple CarPlay is a trademark of Apple Inc. BBS, Brembo, Recaro and Bilstein are trademarks of their respective owners.

Posted in Mazda Tips