“The miata is for the driver, it makes driving through a parking lot more fun. The 35mph zone is fun... everything is fun. Every corner and every turn is fun.”
2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata is standard Kinematic Posture Control, which lightly brakes the inside rear wheel during a turn to help the car feel more settled. This is a modest late-cycle update rather than a redesign.
About the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata
4th generation (ND, 2016-2023), late-cycle update year before the 2024 refresh.
Mazda positions the MX-5 Miata as a pure driver’s car: light, compact, rear-wheel drive, and built to make ordinary roads feel fun. The focus is not big horsepower or practicality, but quick responses, balanced handling, and a strong sense of connection between the driver, the car, and the open air. Compared with other affordable sports cars, the Miata’s biggest differentiators are its convertible layout, small size, and playful feel at normal road speeds.
The Sport remains the simple, lightweight roadster, while the manual-only Club adds sharper suspension hardware, heated sport seats, and upgraded Bose audio. Grand Touring emphasizes comfort and driver aids with leather seats, navigation, and adaptive headlights, while the Club with Brembo, BBS, and Recaro equipment pairs a retractable fastback roof with stronger front brakes and more supportive seats.
What changed, by category
Structural
Kinematic Posture Control becomes standard across the lineup. The brake-based system lightly slows the inside rear wheel during cornering to reduce body lift and improve stability without changing the basic lightweight chassis.
Powertrain
The 181-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder carries over, but the transmission lineup changes. Sport and Club are manual-only for 2022, while Grand Touring is the sole trim with a six-speed automatic.
Tech
Wireless Apple CarPlay is added to Club and higher trims. Grand Touring also has wireless Android Auto.
2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, SKYACTIV-G, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, SKYACTIV-G, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, SKYACTIV-G, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, SKYACTIV-G, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Manual, 6-Spd SKYACTIV-MT | Manual, 6-Spd SKYACTIV-MT | Manual, 6-Spd SKYACTIV-MT | Manual, 6-Spd SKYACTIV-MT |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 34 mpg | 34 mpg | 34 mpg | 34 mpg |
| Horsepower | 181 hp | 181 hp | 181 hp | 181 hp |
| Torque | 151 lb-ft | 151 lb-ft | 151 lb-ft | 151 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 4.6 cu-ft | 4.6 cu-ft | 4.5–4.6 cu-ft | 4.5 cu-ft |
| Seats | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Doors | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Adaptive Headlights | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||
| LED Headlights | ||||
| Power Retractable Hard Top | ||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Subwoofer | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||
| Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
The biggest change is standard Kinematic Posture Control on every 2022 MX-5 Miata. It lightly applies the inside rear brake during a turn to help keep the car flatter and more settled.
Which 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata trims have an automatic transmission?
Only the 2022 Grand Touring has an automatic transmission. Sport, Club, and the Club with Brembo, BBS, and Recaro equipment are manual-only.
How is the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata different from the 2021 model?
The 2022 model adds Kinematic Posture Control across the lineup, adds wireless Apple CarPlay to Club and higher trims, and restricts the automatic transmission to Grand Touring. It is an update to the existing fourth-generation car, not a redesign.
What is special about the 2022 MX-5 Miata Club with the Brembo, BBS, and Recaro package?
This Club version is the more focused performance trim added for 2022. It combines the RF retractable fastback roof with Brembo front brakes, heated Recaro sport seats, Bilstein dampers, a limited-slip differential, and upgraded exterior trim.
Did the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata get a new engine?
No, the 2022 MX-5 Miata keeps the 181-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The main mechanical change is the new brake-based Kinematic Posture Control system, not an engine upgrade.
2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
4.6
2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata
(146 reviews)
“A great hard top convertible that is great to drive all 4 seasons, has excellent acceleration but very stable and is very stylish.”
“Very fun to drive. Excellent reliability and value for the money. Not for everyone, but highly rewarding for the right person.”