Mazda MX-5 Miata in Forza Horizon: Every NA, NB, NC and ND Across FH5 and FH6
The Mazda MX-5 (Miata in North America) is the world’s best-selling two-seat roadster — over 1 million produced since 1989 — and it has been a Forza Horizon staple since the very first game. This page is a cross-game profile of the MX-5 across all four real-world generations (NA / NB / NC / ND) and traces every confirmed MX-5 variant in Forza Horizon 5 and Forza Horizon 6 (which launches on 2026-05-19).
Key Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| First production year | 1989 |
| First market launch | USA (1990 MY ‘MX-5 Miata’); Japan (Eunos Roadster) 1989; Europe 1990 |
| One-million milestone | April 22, 2016 — Ujina Plant, Hiroshima |
| Guinness record | World’s best-selling two-seat sports car (certified multiple times, 2011–2021) |
| Generations | NA (1989–1997), NB (1998–2005), NC (2005–2015), ND (2015–present; ND2 refresh 2018) |
| NA engine | 1.6L B6 (115 hp) / 1.8L BP (133 hp) |
| NB engine | 1.6L B6 / 1.8L BP, VVT added on BP from 2001 |
| NC engine | 2.0L MZR LF-VE (158–167 hp) |
| ND engine | 1.5L Skyactiv-G (132 hp) / 2.0L Skyactiv-G (155–181 hp from 2018 ND2) |
| Drivetrain | Front-engine, RWD across all four generations |
| FH5 MX-5 variants | NA (1990 Miata, 1994 Miata, 1994 Miata Forza Edition), NB (1999 Miata 10AE), NC (2005 Mazdaspeed MX-5, 2013 MX-5), ND (2016 MX-5) |
| FH6 MX-5 variants | 1994 MX-5 Miata, 1994 MX-5 Miata Forza Edition, 2005 Mazdaspeed MX-5, 2013 MX-5, 2016 MX-5, 2017 MX-5 Cup, 2022 MX-5 Miata RF |
| FH6 MX-5 count | 7 |
| FH6 NB present | No — no NB-generation MX-5 on the official forza.net list as of 2026-05-14 (unconfirmed) |
| FH5 1994 MX-5 — PI / Class | 224 / D |
| FH5 1994 MX-5 — Power | 98 kW (131 hp) |
| FH5 1994 MX-5 — Weight | 1,023 kg |
| FH5 1994 MX-5 — Top speed | 192.6 kph |
| FH5 1994 MX-5 — 0–97 kph | 8.50 s |
| FH5 1994 MX-5 — Lateral G | 0.92 |
| FH5 1994 MX-5 — Price | 15,000 Cr |
| FH6 launch date | 2026-05-19 |
| FH6 Premium early access | 2026-05-15 |
The MX-5 across four generations (NA, NB, NC, ND)
The Mazda MX-5 was unveiled at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show and went on sale in the United States in summer 1989 as a 1990 model, badged “MX-5 Miata” in North America and “Eunos Roadster” in Japan. Mazda’s brief was straightforward: revive the affordable lightweight British roadster formula — think Lotus Elan, MGB — using Japanese reliability. The recipe, front-engine RWD, roughly 1,000 kg curb weight, double-wishbone suspension, a manual gearbox and a soft top you can open with one hand at a stoplight, has not meaningfully changed across 35+ years and four generations.
| Gen | Years | Chassis code | Real-world engine(s) | Notable variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | 1989–1997 | NA6CE / NA8C | 1.6L B6 (115 hp), 1.8L BP (133 hp from 1994) | 1991 BBR Turbo, 1995 M Edition, 1997 STO |
| NB | 1998–2005 | NB6C / NB8C | 1.6L / 1.8L BP, VVT from 2001 (NB2) | Mazdaspeed Miata (2004–05, turbo, 178 hp) |
| NC | 2005–2015 | NCEC | 2.0L MZR LF-VE | NC2/NC3 facelifts, PRHT folding hardtop |
| ND | 2015–present | ND | 1.5L Skyactiv-G, 2.0L Skyactiv-G (181 hp from 2018 ND2) | ND RF retractable fastback, MX-5 Cup, 30th Anniversary |
On April 22, 2016, the one-millionth MX-5 rolled off the line at Mazda’s Ujina Plant in Hiroshima — cementing it as the best-selling two-seat sports car in history per Guinness World Records. That milestone is the headline Mazda uses in every press kit, and it’s the same credibility that gets the Miata a launch slot in every major driving game.
Every MX-5 in Forza Horizon 6 (confirmed)
As of 2026-05-14, the official forza.net car list shows 7 MX-5 variants in Forza Horizon 6, spanning the NA, NC and ND generations. The NB is conspicuously absent from the launch roster — see the Forza Horizon 6 Mazda full car list for the complete Mazda picture.
| Year | Model | Class | Generation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Mazda MX-5 Miata | D | NA (NA8C) | 1.8L BP, stock pop-up headlight Miata |
| 1994 | Mazda MX-5 Miata Forza Edition | S2 | NA | Trailer V10 swap build, skill-point boost |
| 2005 | Mazda Mazdaspeed MX-5 | C | NC (NCEC) | Factory turbocharged, 178 hp |
| 2013 | Mazda MX-5 | C | NC3 (facelift) | Final NC model year |
| 2016 | Mazda MX-5 | C | ND | Base ND Skyactiv-G 2.0 |
| 2017 | Mazda MX-5 Cup | B | ND (race-prep) | Long Road Racing-spec one-make car |
| 2022 | Mazda MX-5 Miata RF | B | ND2 (181 hp 2.0L) | Retractable fastback hardtop |
The 1994 NA Miata was the subject of the very first episode of Playground Games’ On The Road To Forza Horizon 6 video series. The bigger talking point is the 1994 MX-5 Miata Forza Edition: it appeared in the FH6 reveal trailer with an enormous V10 engine swap, twin turbos occupying the pop-up headlight housings, and rear overfenders for wider rubber — a detail The Autopian specifically called out in their trailer breakdown. In-game it sits in S2 class with a skill-point multiplier, the same role it played in FH5. No NB-generation Miata (1998–2005) appears on the official forza.net list at launch (unconfirmed — Playground has historically added cars post-launch via Festival Playlist updates).
MX-5 in Forza Horizon 5 (verified stats)
FH5 shipped with a parallel MX-5 bloodline. The numbers below are verified stock values from Kudosprime’s car database — these are the best predictor of how the same model years will behave in FH6 once Playground publishes the official FH6 numbers. Stats for the 1990 NA, NC and ND entries are approximate based on community telemetry datasets; the 1994 MX-5 Miata figure is fully verified.
| FH5 model | PI | Class | Power | Weight | 0–97 kph | Top speed | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 MX-5 Miata (NA early) | ~200 | D | ~85 kW (114 hp) | ~990 kg | ~9.6 s | ~189 kph | ~12,000 Cr |
| 1994 MX-5 Miata | 224 | D | 98 kW (131 hp) | 1,023 kg | 8.5 s | 192.6 kph | 15,000 Cr |
| 1994 MX-5 Miata Forza Edition | ~900 | S2 | 600+ hp | ~1,050 kg | ~3.0 s | 320+ kph | Reward |
| 2005 Mazdaspeed MX-5 (NC) | ~400 | C | 130 kW (174 hp) | 1,134 kg | ~6.8 s | 222 kph | ~25,000 Cr |
| 2013 MX-5 (NC3) | ~380 | D | 116 kW (158 hp) | 1,100 kg | ~7.0 s | 218 kph | ~22,000 Cr |
| 2016 MX-5 (ND) | ~420 | C | 116 kW (155 hp) | 1,058 kg | ~7.3 s | 215 kph | ~28,000 Cr |
Every stock MX-5 in FH5 sits in D–C class and rewards smooth, momentum-style driving. The 1994 car’s lateral G of 0.92 is strong for its class, and its 15,000 Cr price makes it the cheapest way into a capable RWD handler. The FH6 best drift cars lists consistently feature the Miata because the light chassis, balanced weight distribution and RWD layout make it forgiving to rotate at low speed on road surfaces.
Why the Miata is a Forza Horizon staple
The MX-5 has appeared in every Forza Horizon since the series launched in 2012, with Playground adding new model years each generation. The reasons are layered. First, the car is simply the best-selling two-seat sports car ever made and a recipient of more Car of the Year awards than any other roadster — you cannot build a credible driving game without it. Second, the “Miata Is Always The Answer” community meme translates directly into Forza engagement: the MX-5 is the cult pick for Goliath laps and B-class circuit racing in FH5, and the Mazda RX-7 FD profile aside, no other Mazda generates the same forum volume. Third, and most visibly for FH6, the Forza Edition V10 swap turns the lightest car in the game into an S2 monster — the FH6 reveal trailer led with exactly that build, and The Autopian noted the V10 and twin turbos where the pop-up headlights should be as one of the standout trailer moments.
When Mazda celebrated the 1-millionth MX-5 in 2016, the official press release described it as “the world’s best-selling two-seater sports car, as certified by Guinness World Records.” That is the badge Forza is leveraging every time a new Miata appears on the loading screen. The FH6 JDM cars category is deep, but the MX-5 is the car that anchors it at the accessible, everyday-driver end of the spectrum.
FH5 vs FH6: what changed for the MX-5 lineup
Comparing the two games’ MX-5 rosters side by side:
| Variant | FH5 | FH6 |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 MX-5 Miata (NA early) | Yes | Not on official list (unconfirmed) |
| 1994 MX-5 Miata (NA late) | Yes | Yes |
| 1994 MX-5 Miata Forza Edition | Yes | Yes |
| 1999 MX-5 Miata 10th Anniversary (NB) | Yes | No — NB absent at launch |
| 2005 Mazdaspeed MX-5 (NC) | Yes | Yes |
| 2013 MX-5 (NC3) | Yes | Yes |
| 2016 MX-5 (ND) | Yes | Yes |
| 2017 MX-5 Cup | Added via update | Yes (launch) |
| 2022 MX-5 Miata RF (ND2) | Added via update | Yes (launch) |
FH6 promotes the 2017 Cup and 2022 RF from update additions in FH5 to launch-day cars, while the NB-generation 1999 10th Anniversary Edition that FH5 carried does not appear on the FH6 launch roster. Total count: FH6 ships with 7 confirmed MX-5 variants, comparable to FH5’s launch cohort of roughly 6 before live-service additions.
FH6 in-game performance numbers — PI placement, top speed, 0–97 kph — are not published on forza.net or Kudosprime as of 2026-05-14 and are therefore (unconfirmed) until launch on 2026-05-19. FH5 figures in the table above are the most reliable reference in the meantime.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Mazda MX-5 / Miatas are in Forza Horizon 6?
Seven at launch: 1994 NA, 1994 NA Forza Edition, 2005 Mazdaspeed (NC), 2013 NC, 2016 ND, 2017 MX-5 Cup, and 2022 MX-5 Miata RF (ND2). No NB-generation Miata appears on the official forza.net car list as of 2026-05-14.
Is the V10 Miata real in Forza Horizon 6?
Yes — the 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata Forza Edition appears in the FH6 reveal trailer with a V10 engine swap, twin turbos and overfenders. It is an in-game Forza Edition build that sits in S2 class.
What year did the Mazda MX-5 first come out?
The MX-5 was unveiled at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show and went on sale in the USA in summer 1989 as a 1990 model year vehicle. It was sold as “Eunos Roadster” in Japan and “MX-5 Miata” in North America.
Is the NB Miata in Forza Horizon 6?
Not on the official forza.net car list as of 2026-05-14 (unconfirmed). FH5 included a 1999 MX-5 Miata 10th Anniversary Edition (NB), but no NB-generation Miata appears on the FH6 launch roster.
How many MX-5s has Mazda sold?
Mazda produced its 1,000,000th MX-5 on April 22, 2016 at the Ujina Plant in Hiroshima, certified by Guinness World Records as the best-selling two-seat sports car of all time.
Is the 2017 MX-5 Cup a real race car?
Yes. The MX-5 Cup is a one-make spec racer built for the Mazda MX-5 Cup series in North America — same chassis as the road ND, but with a full roll cage, sealed engine and racing suspension.
What class is the 1994 MX-5 Miata in Forza Horizon 5?
D-class stock, with a Performance Index of 224, 98 kW (131 hp), 1,023 kg curb weight and a top speed of 192.6 kph. Price 15,000 Cr.
Sources
- Mazda Motor Corporation — Mazda History 1980-1989
- Mazda Newsroom — Mazda Produces One-Millionth MX-5
- Wikipedia — Mazda MX-5
- Forza.net — Forza Horizon 6 Car List
- Forza (Official YouTube) — On The Road To Forza Horizon 6 Ep 1 | Mazda MX-5 Miata
- The Autopian — Here’s Every Car In The New ‘Forza Horizon 6’ Trailer
- Forza Wiki (Fandom) — Mazda MX-5 Miata Forza Edition
- Kudosprime — 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata | Forza Horizon 5
- GTPlanet — Forza Horizon 6 - Confirmed Car List
- Kudosprime — Mazda cars in Forza Horizon 5