2026 MAZDA MX-5 Miata vs. MX-5 Miata RF

2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF

 

2026 MAZDA MX-5 Miata ST

vs.

2026 MAZDA MX-5 Miata RF

3 (Sport, Club, Grand Touring) Trims Available 2 (Club, Grand Touring)
2.0L DOHC 4-cylinder SKYACTIV®-G Base Engine 2.0L DOHC 4-cylinder SKYACTIV®-G
181 hp Maximum Available Horsepower 181 hp
Yes Apple CarPlay® Yes
Manually retractable cloth soft top Roof Type Electronically retractable hardtop

 

Are you looking to switch to an agile, thrilling ride for your daily drive through Sunnyvale, or do you want a sporty convertible for weekend trips to Mountain View? At Stevens Creek Mazda, a proud part of Northern California’s largest family-owned automotive group, we want to ensure every drive brings you genuine joy. The legendary Mazda MX-5 Miata comes in two distinct designs: the classic soft-top (ST) and the sleek retractable fastback (RF).

What sets these open-air icons apart? Our Product Specialists broke down the specs, trims, and performance features below to provide clear, hassle-free details. Whether you’re driving past local landmarks like the Winchester Mystery House, shopping around Santana Row, or planning a trip through Palo Alto, we want to help you buy the perfect car for your lifestyle.

 

 

Which Iconic Sports Car Will Help You Be Happy on South Bay Roads?

Are you looking to switch to an agile, thrilling ride for your daily drive through Sunnyvale, or do you want a sporty convertible for weekend trips to Mountain View? At Stevens Creek Mazda, a proud part of Northern California’s largest family-owned automotive group, we want to ensure every drive brings you genuine joy. The legendary Mazda MX-5 Miata comes in two distinct designs: the classic soft-top (ST) and the sleek retractable fastback (RF).

What sets these open-air icons apart? Our Product Specialists broke down the specs, trims, and performance features below to provide clear, hassle-free details. Whether you’re driving past local landmarks like the Winchester Mystery House, shopping around Santana Row, or planning a trip through Palo Alto, we want to help you buy the perfect car for your lifestyle.

2026 MAZDA MX-5 Miata vs. MAZDA MX-5 Miata RF: Trims & Options

The main difference between these two lineups comes down to standard equipment and your preferred style. The Mazda MX-5 Miata soft top offers three configurations, starting with the accessible Sport trim. Meanwhile, the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF skips the base model and starts directly with the performance-focused Club option.

  • 2026 MAZDA MX-5 Miata: Sport, Club, Grand Touring
  • 2026 MAZDA MX-5 Miata RF: Club, Grand Touring

Finding your preferred trim is completely transparent and simple. You can easily locate your next vehicle using our online inventory tools, or check out our No Brainer Deals to explore our best value, lease offers, and competitive financing rates all in one place.

2026 MAZDA MX-5 Miata vs. MAZDA MX-5 Miata RF: Performance Specs

No matter which body style you choose to navigate the roads of Cupertino or San Jose, you’ll enjoy identical, track-tested performance under the hood. Both models rely on the highly responsive 2.0L SKYACTIV®-G engine, delivering the perfect balance of lightweight agility and classic rear-wheel-drive dynamics.

  • Standard Engine: 2.0L DOHC 4-cylinder SKYACTIV®-G engine
  • Maximum Available Horsepower: 181 hp
  • Torque: 151 lb-ft of torque
  • Standard Transmission: SKYACTIV®-MT 6-speed manual transmission
  • Available Transmission: 6-speed Sport automatic transmission (Grand Touring trim only)

Want to feel this engineering in action? Our family-owned dealership operates with a strict commitment to Project 100—delivering 100% customer satisfaction to 100% of our guests, 100% of the time. Let our friendly team members help you schedule a test drive today.

The Defining Choice: Manual Soft Top vs. Power Retractable Hardtop

Because the performance numbers are identical, your decision comes down to the roof architecture.

  • 2026 MAZDA MX-5 Miata: Features a classic cloth convertible soft-top roof. It’s manually operated, allowing you to drop the top with one hand in seconds right from the driver’s seat.
  • 2026 MAZDA MX-5 Miata RF: Features a premium hard retractable fastback roof. With a single flip of a center console switch, the power-operated roof smoothly folds away while keeping a striking coupe silhouette when closed.

Premium Amenities Shared by Both Models

Since both models share the same premium engineering, you’ll enjoy advanced connectivity and comfort features on every trip through Cupertino. Key shared highlights include:

  • Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ integration
  • Alexa built-in voice commands
  • Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio streaming capability
  • 8.8-inch full-color center display with an intuitive infotainment system voice command

Find Your Open-Air Joy at Stevens Creek Mazda in San Jose

Which Mazda MX-5 Miata will you choose to drive home? We can’t make that choice for you, but our dedicated team members are here to act as your expert guides.

We replace traditional, stressful sales tactics with our No Brainer Checkout. This tech-friendly process allows you to enjoy transparent pricing, customize your monthly payments, and finalize your purchase from anywhere. Furthermore, when you partner with us, you’re supporting our local Bay Area communities through our DGDG Does Good initiative, which gives back to local charities.

Visit our showroom on Stevens Creek Boulevard in San Jose today to experience a world-class guest experience firsthand!

Important Information:
Inventory & Pricing: Vehicles shown are subject to prior sale. Pricing, lease offers, and financing rates are subject to change without notice. Advertised prices may exclude tax, title, license, registration, and dealer doc fees.

Financing & Leases: All financing and lease offers are subject to tier-one credit approval through primary lenders. Not all buyers will qualify.

Technology & Connectivity: Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ require a compatible smartphone and an active data plan. Alexa functionality may require an Amazon account and a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Third-party interface functionality may change based on software updates.

Specifications: Vehicle features, options, and specifications are based on current manufacturer information at the time of publication and may vary by trim level or change without notice.

More from Stevens Creek Mazda

  • MAZDA Reliability & Reviews

      Drivers shopping for a new vehicle often want to invest in a reliable model with positive reviews. With so many available choices, it can be difficult to sort through all the information to find the right brand and model for your driving needs from San Jose to Palo Alto and beyond. How does the lineup of…

  • 2026 MAZDA CX-5 Overview

      longer wheelbase and overall length provide more interior and cargo space, to increase comfort on every commute to San Jose and weekend excursions out past the Palo Alto area. Learn more about the 2026 Mazda CX-5 redesign, including whether there will be a Mazda CX-5 hybrid, in this overview from the team at Stevens Creek Mazda. New MAZDA…

  • 2021 MAZDA CX-30 Price and Features

    If you’re tired of commuting from San Jose to Sunnyvale in a drab and worn-out SUV, the new Mazda CX-30 is the ideal upgrade. This sleek, stylish, and powerful option is perfect for carving up the San Jose streets on the way to work or for taking on weekend adventures in Mountain View. While this model is a…

Menu

Get Directions

4250 Stevens Creek Boulevard, San Jose, CA, 95129
Stevens Creek Mazda 37.3227667, -121.9769673.