The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF pairs its 181-hp SKYACTIV-G 2.0L four-cylinder and rear-wheel drive with a power-retractable fastback hardtop. For an up close look at either of the two trims, stop by at Mazda of Orange in Orange County. Pricing for the Grand Touring is from $38,450*, the Club from $41,900*. As for fuel economy, the EPA has all versions down to 29 mpg combined (26 in the city, 34 on the highway). We have laid out the complete specifications below: the numbers for the powertrain, what is included in the way of standard driver-assist, dimensions and capacities, and a comparison with the RF’s nearest rival. All figures are as reported by Mazda and the EPA.
2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | SKYACTIV-G 2.0L DOHC 16-valve inline-4 with VVT |
| Horsepower | 181 hp @ 7,000 rpm |
| Torque | 151 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| EPA MPG | 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined |
| Seating | 2 |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Cargo volume | 4.48 cu ft |
| Standard driver-assist suite | i-Activsense (the manufacturer does not publish a version designation) |
| Starting MSRP | $38,450* |
*MSRP excludes the manufacturer’s destination and handling charge, which varies by model. It also excludes the $85 dealer doc fee, taxes, title, license and other applicable fees. Contact dealer for total price.
What is the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?
Mazda’s two-seat roadster line has a hardtop in the form of the MX-5 Miata RF, RF being short for Retractable Fastback. A fitting moniker for the roof arrangement: with the rear buttresses in place, the glass and roof panel tuck in behind the seats to make way for a targa opening as opposed to an unenclosed cabin. Its companion, the soft-top version of the Miata, is fitted with a manual fabric roof that opens up the cabin completely.
Walk our showroom floor and the RF sits apart from everything else on it. The CX-30, CX-5, and CX-50 are crossovers. The Mazda3 comes as a sedan or hatchback. The MX-5 Miata line is the only two-seat, rear-wheel-drive car Mazda sells in the United States. The RF’s closest sub-$45,000* rival is the Toyota GR86. Cargo space is 4.48 cubic feet. Seating is two. Those two figures place it in the weekend-car category rather than the daily-hauler one. Two trims are offered for 2026: Grand Touring and Club.
2026 MX-5 Miata RF Trims and Pricing
| Trim | Powertrain | Drivetrain | Starting MSRP | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Touring | SKYACTIV-G 2.0L I-4 | RWD | $38,450* | Keeping the entry price down without giving up the 181-hp engine |
| Club | SKYACTIV-G 2.0L I-4 | RWD | $41,900* | Drivers who want the standard Brembo BBS Recaro Package |
*MSRP excludes the manufacturer’s destination and handling charge, which varies by model. It also excludes the $85 dealer doc fee, taxes, title, license and other applicable fees. Contact dealer for total price.
Both trims share the same engine and the same EPA ratings. $3,450 separates their starting prices. Want the full trim-by-trim equipment breakdown? Ask our team when you visit, or browse our new inventory to compare the two in person.
Engine, Output, and Fuel Economy: 181 hp, 29 mpg
SKYACTIV-G 2.0L Inline-Four, 181 hp, 29 MPG Combined
The 2026 RFs are all powered by the same engine, a SKYACTIV-G 2.0L. This is a 16-valve, double-overhead-cam inline-four of the naturally aspirated variety with variable valve timing as well. In terms of output, you get 181 hp from it at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The Grand Touring and the Club are no different in that regard. Mazda’s published specs will bear this out.
Both trims are rear-wheel drive.
For fuel economy, the EPA has put both trims at 26 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway for a combined 29. You need not look for a split between the Club and the Grand Touring on these numbers, as they are the same. The EPA’s figures make that plain.
| Configuration | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Touring (RWD) | 26 | 34 | 29 |
| Club (RWD) | 26 | 34 | 29 |
Dimensions and Capacities
| Measurement | Figure |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 154.1 in |
| Overall width | 68.3 in |
| Overall height | 49.0 in |
| Wheelbase | 90.9 in |
| Ground clearance | 5.87 in |
| Cargo volume | 4.48 cu ft |
| Seating capacity | 2 |
At 154.1 inches in length the RF is some two and a half feet or so less than you would find in a Mazda3 sedan. The overall height comes to 49.0 inches. As for ground clearance, it is 5.87 inches, worth keeping in mind on a steep driveway apron. There are 4.48 cubic feet of trunk space, which will accommodate a weekend bag for two.
Quick Take: How the MX-5 Miata RF Compares
- Fuel economy: The RF returns 29 mpg combined against the 2026 Toyota GR86’s 24 mpg, though the GR86 answers with 228 hp to the RF’s 181.
- Retractable hardtop: The RF’s power-folding fastback roof has no equivalent on the 2026 Toyota GR86, which is offered only as a fixed-roof coupe. The GR86 starts at $31,400* against the RF’s $38,450*.
- Price and horsepower: The 2026 Toyota GR86 starts at $31,400* with 228 hp. The RF starts at $38,450* with 181 hp. The RF answers with the retractable hardtop and a 5-mpg-better combined rating.
Every 2026 MX-5 Miata RF arrives with i-Activsense, Mazda’s suite of camera- and radar-based driver-assist systems. It is standard equipment across both trims, so you do not need a package on either the Grand Touring or the Club to get it.
Driving the MX-5 Miata RF in Orange
Orange County traffic is a fair test of the RF’s 29 mpg combined rating on your commute, and the 154.1-inch length keeps street parking in Old Towne Orange simple. If you are driving in from Cerritos, the 16 miles on the 91 take about 20 minutes, enough road to know whether the RF’s roofline suits you before you park.
Weekend use is the RF’s natural habitat: a morning run down to the Huntington Beach Pier, a loop out to Mission San Juan Capistrano, or errands near Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland all work well as long as you are traveling two-up, with the 4.48-cubic-foot trunk handling a weekend bag. You will find us at Mazda of Orange, 1360 W Katella Ave in Orange (CA 92867), off the 57 at the Katella Avenue exit, look up hours and directions before you come in, and if you have a trade-in, you can determine its value ahead of your visit.
Why Buy Your MX-5 Miata RF from Us
- Ask us about Grand Touring and Club availability so you can compare the two trims on one visit.
- Our location off the 57 at Katella puts us within easy reach of Orange, Anaheim, and the surrounding communities.
- We handle Mazda service in-house, including everything the RF’s maintenance schedule calls for.
- Our service specials are posted online so you can see what is available before you book.
- We carry genuine Mazda parts and accessories if you want to add anything to the car after you take delivery.
- We stock pre-owned inventory and certified pre-owned Mazdas alongside the new cars if a used MX-5 fits your budget better.
- You can start a finance application from home.
Schedule a Test Drive
Put the RF to the test from behind the wheel and it is a car that will be more apparent than any spec sheet can tell you. You have to test the roof to make up your mind about whether you want an RF or a soft top. Call us at (714) 633-6731 or get in touch to arrange for a test drive. Our new vehicle inventory is on hand should you want to check what colors and trims we have in stock.
You can also view our certified pre-owned models, schedule service, value your trade, check our service specials, start a finance application, order genuine parts and accessories, or contact our team online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF cost?
The Grand Touring starts at $38,450* MSRP. The Club starts at $41,900* MSRP. $3,450 separates the two. Both figures are base MSRP for a rear-wheel-drive car, and both trims share the same 181-hp engine and the same EPA ratings.
What does RF stand for on the Mazda MX-5 Miata?
The RF in the name is for the Retractable Fastback. A fitting way to put it, since a push of the button will have the rear panel and glass fold away, leaving the fastback section aft of the doors undisturbed. The result is an opening over the two seats that is more of a targa than the open cabin you would find in a soft-top MX-5 Miata. As for power, both body styles are served by the same 2.0L engine.
What is the difference between the MX-5 Miata RF and the soft-top convertible?
The roof is the main separator. The RF uses a power-retractable hardtop that folds the roof panel and rear glass behind the seats, leaving the fastback buttresses standing. The soft-top MX-5 Miata uses a manually operated fabric roof that stows completely, opening the cabin fully. Both cars run the same SKYACTIV-G 2.0L inline-four rated at 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque.
How many trims are offered on the 2026 MX-5 Miata RF?
Two. Grand Touring starts at $38,450*. Club starts at $41,900*. Both use the same SKYACTIV-G 2.0L engine, the same rear-wheel-drive layout, and carry identical EPA ratings of 26 city, 34 highway, and 29 combined. $3,450 separates their starting prices.
How much horsepower does the 2026 MX-5 Miata RF make?
181 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. Torque is 151 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. Those numbers apply to the Grand Touring and the Club alike, since a single SKYACTIV-G 2.0L naturally aspirated inline-four powers both trims.
What kind of fuel economy does the 2026 MX-5 Miata RF get?
EPA rates the RF at 26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. Those figures hold across both the Grand Touring and the Club, with no split between trims to account for.
Is the 2026 MX-5 Miata RF available with all-wheel drive?
No. Rear-wheel drive is the only layout offered on the MX-5 Miata RF, on both the Grand Touring and the Club. If you need all-wheel drive, our CX-30, CX-5, and CX-50 crossovers are worth a look instead.
How many people does the 2026 MX-5 Miata RF seat?
Two, on both the Grand Touring and the Club. The RF is a strict two-seater with no rear bench and no jump seats. If you regularly carry more than one passenger, a Mazda3 sedan or hatchback seats five and would be the more practical showroom alternative to cross-shop.
How much cargo space does the 2026 MX-5 Miata RF have?
4.48 cubic feet. That is enough for a weekend bag for two people or a grocery run. The retractable hardtop mechanism stows behind the seats rather than in the trunk, so trunk capacity does not change whether the roof is up or down.
What safety features come standard on the 2026 MX-5 Miata RF?
i-Activsense is standard on both the Grand Touring and the Club. This is Mazda’s suite of camera- and radar-based driver-assist systems, and you do not need an additional package on either trim to get it.
What are the exterior dimensions of the 2026 MX-5 Miata RF?
Overall length is 154.1 inches. Width is 68.3 inches. Height is 49.0 inches. Wheelbase is 90.9 inches. Ground clearance measures 5.87 inches. Those dimensions make the RF roughly two and a half feet shorter than a Mazda3 sedan.
What is new for 2026 on the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF?
The 2026 MX-5 Miata RF brings targeted updates focused on interior refinement and technology. The Brembo BBS Recaro Package, standard on RF Club, adds black Alcantara interior trim with light gray contrast stitching and black interior accents. The 8.8-inch infotainment display adds touch functionality when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, plus Alexa Built-in, and the i-Activsense suite expands with Smart Brake Support, Driver Attention Alert, Vehicle Exit Warning, and Secondary Collision Reduction. The Grand Touring and Club trims continue with the SKYACTIV-G 2.0L engine and the rear-wheel-drive layout.
Is the 2026 MX-5 Miata RF the same as the 2025 model?
Mechanically, yes. The core specifications carry forward: 181 horsepower, 151 lb-ft of torque, and EPA ratings of 26 city, 34 highway, and 29 combined. The updates for 2026 sit inside, where the Brembo BBS Recaro Package, standard on RF Club, adds black Alcantara interior trim with light gray contrast stitching.
How does the 2026 MX-5 Miata RF compare to the Toyota GR86?
The 2026 Toyota GR86 starts at $31,400* with 228 horsepower, a 47-hp advantage over the RF’s 181. Higher GR86 trims, the Premium at $34,000* and the Yuzu Edition at $36,365*, carry the same 228 hp. The RF answers with a power-retractable hardtop the GR86 does not offer in any form and a 29 mpg combined rating against the GR86’s 24 mpg. The GR86 also seats four to the RF’s two.
Where can you see a 2026 MX-5 Miata RF in Orange, CA?
Mazda of Orange is at 1360 W Katella Ave, Orange, CA 92867, just off the Katella Avenue exit off the 57 freeway. Call (714) 633-6731 or reach us online to schedule a test drive and to check which trims are available.
Sources: EPA Fuel-Economy Ratings · Official Mazda Specifications
*All prices shown are Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) and are provided for informational purposes only. MSRP excludes the manufacturer’s destination and handling charge, which varies by model. It also excludes the $85 dealer doc fee, taxes, title, license and other applicable fees. Actual purchase price is determined at the dealership. Contact Mazda of Orange for complete pricing.
Information accuracy: Details on this page are provided for general information and are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. Vehicle images are for illustration only and may depict a different trim or optional equipment. Any pricing shown applies only to the trim and configuration specifically identified and may not apply to the vehicle pictured. Specifications, features, and pricing are set by the manufacturer and the EPA and may change or be corrected after publication; we aren’t responsible for changes made on their end. Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates for comparison only; actual mileage varies. Please confirm specs, pricing, and availability with Mazda of Orange before purchase; the window sticker and signed purchase agreement are the controlling documents.