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CARS Updated 2026-05-14

Quick Take

The Mazda MX-5 (Miata in North America) is the world’s best-selling two-seat roadster — over 1 million produced since 1989 — and a Forza Horizon staple since the very first game. This page covers every confirmed MX-5 variant across all four real-world generations (NA / NB / NC / ND) in Forza Horizon 5 and Forza Horizon 6 (launching 2026-05-19).

Key Facts

FieldValue
First production year1989
First market launchUSA (1990 MY ‘MX-5 Miata’); Japan (Eunos Roadster) 1989; Europe 1990
One-million milestoneApril 22, 2016 — Ujina Plant, Hiroshima
Guinness recordWorld’s best-selling two-seat sports car
GenerationsNA (1989–1997), NB (1998–2005), NC (2005–2015), ND (2015–present; ND2 refresh 2018)
DrivetrainFront-engine, RWD across all four generations
FH5 MX-5 variants1990 Miata, 1994 Miata, 1994 Miata Forza Edition, 1999 Miata 10AE, 2005 Mazdaspeed MX-5, 2013 MX-5, 2016 MX-5
FH6 MX-5 count7
FH6 NB presentNo — no NB-generation MX-5 on official forza.net list (unconfirmed as of May 2026)
FH6 Forza Edition1994 MX-5 Miata Forza Edition (S2, V10 swap shown in reveal trailer)
FH5 1994 MX-5 PI / Class224 / D
FH5 1994 MX-5 power98 kW (131 hp)
FH5 1994 MX-5 weight1,023 kg
FH5 1994 MX-5 top speed192.6 kph
FH5 1994 MX-5 0–97 kph8.50 s
FH5 1994 MX-5 price15,000 Cr

The MX-5 Across Four Generations

The Mazda MX-5 was unveiled at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show and went on sale in the USA in summer 1989. Mazda’s brief: revive the affordable lightweight British roadster formula using Japanese reliability. The recipe — front-engine RWD, ~1,000 kg, double-wishbone suspension, soft top — has not changed in 35+ years.

GenYearsChassisEngine(s)Notable variants
NA1989–1997NA6CE / NA8C1.6L B6 (115 hp), 1.8L BP (133 hp from 1994)1991 BBR Turbo, 1995 M Edition
NB1998–2005NB6C / NB8C1.6L / 1.8L BP, VVT from 2001Mazdaspeed Miata (turbo, 178 hp)
NC2005–2015NCEC2.0L MZR LF-VENC2/NC3 facelifts, PRHT hardtop
ND2015–presentND1.5L / 2.0L Skyactiv-G (181 hp from 2018 ND2)ND RF retractable fastback, MX-5 Cup

On April 22, 2016, the one-millionth MX-5 rolled off the line at Mazda’s Ujina Plant in Hiroshima, certified by Guinness World Records as the best-selling two-seat sports car in history.

Every MX-5 in Forza Horizon 6 (Confirmed)

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 absent from the launch roster.

YearModelClassGenerationNotes
1994Mazda MX-5 MiataDNA (NA8C)1.8L BP, pop-up headlight Miata
1994Mazda MX-5 Miata Forza EditionS2NAV10 swap build from reveal trailer
2005Mazda Mazdaspeed MX-5CNCFactory turbocharged, 178 hp
2013Mazda MX-5CNC3 (facelift)Final NC model year
2016Mazda MX-5CNDBase ND Skyactiv-G 2.0
2017Mazda MX-5 CupBND (race-prep)One-make spec racer
2022Mazda MX-5 Miata RFBND2 (181 hp)Retractable fastback hardtop

The 1994 NA Miata was the subject of the first episode of Playground Games’ On The Road To Forza Horizon 6 video series. The 1994 MX-5 Miata Forza Edition appeared in the FH6 reveal trailer with a V10 engine swap, twin turbos where the pop-up headlights should be, and rear overfenders — called out by The Autopian in their trailer breakdown.

No NB-generation Miata appears on the FH6 launch roster. This is unconfirmed as of May 2026 — Playground has historically added cars post-launch via Festival Playlist updates.

MX-5 in Forza Horizon 5 (Verified Stats)

FH5 modelPIClassPowerWeight0–97 kphTop speedPrice
1994 MX-5 Miata224D98 kW (131 hp)1,023 kg8.5 s192.6 kph15,000 Cr
2005 Mazdaspeed MX-5~400C130 kW (174 hp)1,134 kg~6.8 s222 kph~25,000 Cr
2013 MX-5 (NC3)~380D116 kW (158 hp)1,100 kg~7.0 s218 kph~22,000 Cr
2016 MX-5 (ND)~420C116 kW (155 hp)1,058 kg~7.3 s215 kph~28,000 Cr

The 1994 MX-5 Miata stats are fully verified from Kudosprime. All stock MX-5s in FH5 sit in D–C class and reward smooth, momentum-style driving. FH6 in-game performance numbers are unconfirmed as of May 2026.

Why the Miata Is a Forza Horizon Staple

The MX-5 has appeared in every Forza Horizon since 2012. Three reasons:

  • Icon status. Best-selling two-seat sports car ever made, recipient of more Car of the Year awards than any other roadster.
  • “Miata Is Always The Answer.” The MX-5 is the cult pick for Goliath laps and B-class circuit racing in FH5 — light, RWD, perfectly balanced.
  • The Forza Edition V10 swap. The 1994 MX-5 Miata Forza Edition turns the lightest car in the game into a 600+ hp S2 monster. The FH6 reveal trailer led with exactly this build.

FH5 vs FH6: What Changed for the MX-5

VariantFH5FH6
1990 MX-5 Miata (NA early)YesNot on official list (unconfirmed as of May 2026)
1994 MX-5 Miata (NA late)YesYes
1994 MX-5 Miata Forza EditionYesYes
1999 MX-5 Miata 10th Anniversary (NB)YesNo — NB absent at launch
2005 Mazdaspeed MX-5 (NC)YesYes
2013 MX-5 (NC3)YesYes
2016 MX-5 (ND)YesYes
2017 MX-5 CupAdded via updateYes (launch)
2022 MX-5 Miata RF (ND2)Added via updateYes (launch)

FH6 promotes the 2017 Cup and 2022 RF from update additions in FH5 to launch-day cars, while losing the NB-generation 1999 10th Anniversary Edition.

FAQ

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. No NB-generation Miata appears on the official forza.net list as of May 2026.

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 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. 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 May 2026 (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, PI 224, 98 kW (131 hp), 1,023 kg, top speed 192.6 kph. Price 15,000 Cr.