Ford Mustang vs Mazda MX-5 Miata
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Overview
| Spec | Ford MustangEcoBoost | Mazda MX-5 MiataSport |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | EcoBoost | Sport |
| Body style | Coupe | Convertible |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Fuel type | premium unleaded (recommended) | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| Transmission | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed manual |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford MustangEcoBoost | Mazda MX-5 MiataSport |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $32,320 | $30,430 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $12,875 (best) | $19,620 |
| Median listing price | $34,633 | $30,697 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $153,275 | $39,125 (best) |
| For sale now | 178 (best) | 16 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford MustangEcoBoost | Mazda MX-5 MiataSport |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 26 MPG | 29 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 22 MPG | 26 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 33 MPG | 34 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 16 gal (best) | 11.9 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Ford MustangEcoBoost | Mazda MX-5 MiataSport |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 315 hp (best) | 181 hp |
| Torque | 350 lb-ft (best) | 151 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.3 L (best) | 2 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford MustangEcoBoost | Mazda MX-5 MiataSport |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 4 seats (best) | 2 seats |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Cargo volume | 13.5 cu ft (best) | 4.6 cu ft |
| Curb weight | 3,588 lbs | 2,366 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | — | 5.5 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 107 in (best) | 90.9 in |
| Length | 189.4 in (best) | 154.1 in |
| Width | 75.4 in (best) | 68.3 in |
| Height | 55 in (best) | 48.8 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford MustangEcoBoost | Mazda MX-5 MiataSport |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Rollover | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 3 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Ford Mustang | Mazda MX-5 Miata |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | EcoBoost $32,320 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Sport $30,430 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | EcoBoost $40,120 MSRP | Club $33,930 MSRP |
| 3 | EcoBoost Premium $36,345 MSRP | Grand Touring $35,730 MSRP |
| 4 | EcoBoost Premium $41,845 MSRP | Grand Touring $36,650 MSRP |
| 5 | GT $46,560 MSRP | Grand Touring $38,450 MSRP |
| 6 | GT Premium $51,080 MSRP | Grand Touring $39,420 MSRP |
| 7 | GT Premium $56,580 MSRP | Club $41,900 MSRP |
| 8 | Dark Horse $63,080 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Ford Mustang178 for sale
See all
Used2022 Ford Mustang
GT
Shadow Black•Ebony11,858 mi$38,798Northwest Motor Group
Pasco, WA
Used2008 Ford Mustang
GT Premium
Dark Candy Apple Red Clearcoat75,334 mi$16,325Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2024 Ford Mustang
GT
Blue•Black Onyx19,257 mi$40,750Kia of Clermont
Clermont, FL
Used2022 Ford Mustang
EcoBoost
oxford white•ebony46,528 mi$24,831Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
New2026 Ford Mustang
EcoBoost Premium
Oxford White•Black OnyxN/A$38,220Malloy Ford Alexandria
Lincolnia, VA
New2026 Ford Mustang
GT Premium
Iconic Silver Metallic•Black OnyxN/A$52,940Malloy Ford Alexandria
Lincolnia, VA
Mazda MX-5 Miata16 for sale
See all
Certified2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Sport
Jet Black Mica•Black6,887 mi$30,437Beaver Mazda of Cumming
Cumming, GA
Certified2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Grand Touring
Snowflake White Pearl Mica•Tan583 mi$34,990J Allen Mazda
Gulfport, MS
Used2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Club
Blue•BLACK13,981 mi$31,561Mazda of Gainesville
Gainesville, FL
New2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Grand Touring
Soul Red Crystal Metallic•black5 mi$39,125Lawrence Hall Mazda
Abilene, TX
Used2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Grand Touring
Black46,713 mi$26,391Land Rover St Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL
Certified2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Grand Touring
Soul Red Crystal Metallic•Black4,091 mi$34,198Capital Mazda of Cary
Cary, NC
Ford Mustang vs Mazda MX-5 Miata FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Ford Mustang or 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Ford Mustang vs 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Ford Mustang or 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata starts lower at $30,430. Live Ford Mustang listings start at $12,875. Live Mazda MX-5 Miata listings start at $19,620.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Ford Mustang or 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
- The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (30,430).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Ford Mustang or 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
- The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (29).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Ford Mustang or 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
- The 2026 Ford Mustang leads on horsepower in this comparison (500).
- Which has better seats: 2026 Ford Mustang or 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
- The 2026 Ford Mustang leads on seats in this comparison (4).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Ford Mustang vs 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Ford Mustang (5/5 NHTSA overall).