FAST FACTS
2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
Rank
- #5 in Sport Coupes
What's New for 2025?
The Miata is generally unchanged this year, but Mazda has introduced a 35th Anniversary edition that includes unique 17-inch wheels, exclusive Artisan Red Metallic paint with matching interior accents, a tan soft top and tan Nappa leather upholstery with a matching leather-wrapped key fob sleeve. Production will be limited to 300 units.
2025 MX-5 Miata Selector

2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
Starts at $37,550
2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Review

by Josh Sadlier
published Mar 24, 2025

Is the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF a Good Car?
"The RF is a tough one to categorize, but if you're thinking convertible, the regular Miata ragtop is clearly the default choice there. So we're throwing the Miata RF in with the sport coupes, even though its retractable roof panel makes it something of a convertible in its own right. The problem with the RF is that, unlike the regular Miata, it suffers from significant wind buffeting at speed with the roof open, so there's not that same temptation to open it up whenever possible. And with the roof closed, this tiny coupe really feels the part, leaving little room for anything you might want to bring along."—Ranked #5 out of 5 Sport Coupes
Which 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Should I Buy?
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
Scroll to:
1. 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF 2.0 Manual Transmission
- Base Price: $37,550
- MPG Combined: 29
- Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
- Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4
- Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Horsepower: 181
- Torque: 151 lb-ft
- Weight: 2,470 lbs
- Length: 154.1 in
The Miata RF is nearly identical to the regular Miata in most respects, but its folding hardtop adds quite a bit to the cost. In fact, the manual-transmission RF starts at about eight grand more than the manual soft-top, partly because its base trim — Grand Touring — is the soft-top's highest trim.
2. 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF 2.0 Automatic Transmission
- Base Price: $38,520
- MPG Combined: 29
- Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
- Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4
- Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 181
- Torque: 151 lb-ft
- 0-60: 6.5 sec
- Weight: 2,515 lbs
- Length: 154.1 in
On the bright side, the automatic transmission actually improves the Miata RF's fuel economy incrementally, but let's be honest — this is a very fuel-efficient car either way. If you can justify the manual, we strongly recommend it. But the Miata is a lot of fun no matter how the gears are being shifted.
2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Pricing & Specs
What are the different versions of the 2025 MX-5 Miata RF, and how much do they cost? Select a version below or just hit the button to see our full 2025 MX-5 Miata RF specs and model data.
2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Pricing & Specs by Version
Scroll for more ➔
Version | Price | Fuel | MPG | Power | Torque |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF 2.0 Manual Transmission | $37,550 | Gas | 29 | 181 hp | 151 lb-ft |
2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF 2.0 Automatic Transmission | $38,520 | Gas | 29 | 181 hp | 151 lb-ft |

by Josh Sadlier
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008. Prior to founding MotorDonkey, he spent 15 years shaping Edmunds' expert automotive content in various capacities, starting as an associate editor and ultimately serving as a senior editor before wrapping up with a five-year term as the company's first-ever director of content strategy. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has driven, compared and critiqued thousands of cars in his career. Helping people find their perfect car never gets old—seriously!
Latest Reviews
Let's make it official!
Be a good donkey and we'll deliver delicious car news straight to your inbox, spam-free forever.