Mazda MX-5 Miata vs Subaru BRZ
Sports cars · head to head, 2013–2026
The Mazda MX-5 Miata and Subaru BRZ were both sold for 14 model years (2013–2026). Among the MX-5 Miata's own years, no year clearly stands out as the best bet; years to avoid: 2016; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the BRZ's own years, no year clearly stands out as the best bet; years to avoid: 2013; the newest year rated a good buy is 2024.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Convertible · 2010–2026
- Best bet no standout year
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2016
Subaru BRZ
Coupe · 2013–2027
- Best bet no standout year
- Newest good buy 2024
- Avoid 2013
- Be careful 2022
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy MX-5 Miata year says nothing about whether it beats a BRZ. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Mazda MX-5 Miata | Subaru BRZ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.0× usual | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly power train and speed control | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 2.7× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 2.8× usual, mostly power train and steering | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly power train and collision avoidance | CAREFULSerious complaints 5.6× usual, mostly engine and brakes | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly steering and brakes | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 2.2× usual, mostly air bags and power train | Side by side |
| 2016 | AVOIDSerious complaints 4.3× usual, mostly power train and air bags | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | AVOIDSerious complaints 16.0× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year, at a glance
| 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata | 2026 Subaru BRZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | Not rated |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $30,430 to $41,900 base price by trim, 5 trims | $35,860 to $39,360 base price by trim, 3 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.0L 4-cyl, 181 hp manual available | 2.4L 4-cyl, 228 hp manual available |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 29 mpg | 22–25 mpg |
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Third row | No | No |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | Not rated | Not rated |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 0 · 1 | 0 · 0 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| MX-5 Miata Sport lowest price, $30,430 | MX-5 Miata RF Club highest price, $41,900 | BRZ Limited lowest price, $35,860 | BRZ Series.Yellow highest price, $39,360 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | — | — |
| Adaptive cruise control | — | — | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | Standard | Standard | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (MX-5 Miata, BRZ).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Mazda MX-5 Miata
2 manufacturer programs on file: 2 extended coverage, 0 repair programs.
- Extended coverage CSP13 - CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM - MAZDA CONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION As a result of a Mazda Connect Infotainment Class Action settlement, Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to implement a Customer Service… (CSP13, 2016–2023 models)
- Extended coverage Repairs are not to be made unless there is a confirmed low-pressure fuel pump failure within the coverage period. (CSP12, 2017–2019 models)
Subaru BRZ
2 manufacturer programs on file: 2 extended coverage, 0 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension. (2017–2020 models)
- Extended coverage Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the Warranty coverage time period for the fuel pump impeller to 15 years. (09-129-24, 2017–2020 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2014–2015, 2017–2020, 2023–2024. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2016: the BRZ is rated good buy (serious complaints 0.4× usual), while the MX-5 Miata is rated avoid (serious complaints 4.3× usual, mostly power train and air bags). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2013: the MX-5 Miata is rated good buy (serious complaints 0.3× usual), while the BRZ is rated avoid (serious complaints 16.0× usual, mostly engine and fuel system). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: MX-5 Miata 2016; BRZ 2013.
- Newest year rated a good buy: MX-5 Miata 2025; BRZ 2024.
- Third row: neither has one in 2026.
- Lower starting price in 2026: the MX-5 Miata, from $30,430 against $35,860. Prices are the maker's listed base prices, not what dealers charge.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: MX-5 Miata at 29 mpg (BRZ: 25), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.