Chassis Code Explained
| Segment | Meaning | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| N | Model series | N — Roadster/MX-5 series designation |
| D | Generation | D — fourth generation (2015–present) |
ND returned to a sub-1,000 kg target with the SKYACTIV-G 1.5L and 2.0L engines and introduced the RF (Retractable Fastback) body alongside the standard convertible.
Editorial notes
Key Takeaways
The Roadster has run through four generations since 1989 and the recipe hasn't really changed. Small, light, front engine, rear wheel drive, two seats, soft top. The NA is the pop-up headlight original. The NB is the most varied by trim. The NC is the heaviest and the most underrated. The ND is current production and brings the weight back down to where it started.
- Launched in Japan on May 21, 2015 with a newly developed SKYACTIV-G 1.5-liter direct-injection engine, per Mazda's own press release
- Curb weight cut by over 100kg versus the previous generation, to 990-1,060kg at JDM launch, per Mazda
- Won the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame's 2015-2016 Car of the Year award
- 30th Anniversary Edition (2019) was capped at 3,000 units worldwide with a serial-numbered badge, per Mazda's own release
- Two US-market recalls are on record for the ND — a 2021 fuel-pump recall (MY2018-2019) and a 2019 transmission-control-module recall (MY2016-2019 automatics) — confirm whether either applies to a specific JDM import
Technical Specifications
Every Roadster runs a naturally aspirated four cylinder. The NA uses the 1.6 liter B6 and later the 1.8 liter BP. The NB keeps the BP family and adds two factory turbo specials, the Mazdaspeed MX-5 and the MX-5 SP. The NC moves to the MZR 1.8 and 2.0. The ND runs SkyActiv-G 1.5 and 2.0. The manual gearbox is the right gearbox in every generation.
Engine Options
| Chassis | Engine | Displacement | Power — JDM | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ND | SkyActiv-G P5-VP / PE-VPR | 1.5L / 2.0L | 1.5L ~130-160 hp; 2.0L ~130-190 hp | 2015-present; production continues globally |
Transmission Options
| Type | Ratios | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-speed manual | Not cited | NA and NB standard; NC base | Standard transmission across NA/NB; NC base spec |
| 6-speed manual | Not cited | NB special editions (10th Anniversary, Mazdaspeed, MX-5 SP); NC optional; ND | 6-speed manual was special-edition only on NB |
| 4-speed automatic | Not cited | NA and NB optional | Older automatic offered alongside 5MT |
| 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters | Not cited | NB special spec onward; NC option | Paddle-shifter 6-speed auto added on NB |
Livability
- Headroom
- Limited with the top up; comfortable with top down
- Driver and passenger seating only; cabin is small by design
- Rear Seats
- None
- Two-seat configuration across all four generations
- Cargo
- Small trunk; varies slightly by generation
- The Roadster is not a grocery-run car with a passenger aboard
Variants & Trims
JDM Roadsters got special editions the export Miata never saw. The NA gave you V-Special, S-Limited, and M-Edition with tan interiors and BBS wheels on some cars. The NB is where it gets interesting with the 10th Anniversary, the Mazdaspeed MX-5, the low-volume MX-5 SP, and the rarer-still Club Sport. Exact production numbers for both aren't independently verified. If you can find a documented one, that's the Roadster to buy.
| Generation | Trim | Engine | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| ND (2015-present) | MX-5 / Roadster 1.5 SkyActiv-G | 1.5L SkyActiv-G NA | JDM-spec 130-160 hp, 6-speed manual, return to sub-1,000 kg target weight |
| ND (2015-present) | MX-5 / Roadster 2.0 SkyActiv-G | 2.0L SkyActiv-G NA | 130-190 hp depending on model year; 6-speed manual or automatic; RF retractable fastback variant |
Should You Buy a Mazda Roadster (Eunos Roadster / MX-5) ND?
The Roadster gives you a lot for not much money and asks for very little back. It's cheap to buy, cheap to run, and easy to work on. What you give up is space, big factory power, and any real weather protection. That trade has been the same Roadster trade since 1989.
Why You'll Love It
- Japan Automotive Hall of Fame Car of the Year, 2015-2016 Mazda's own press release says the all-new Roadster was named 2015-2016 Car of the Year by the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame, the third Mazda to win the award after the RX-8 in 2003.
- Significant weight reduction at launch Mazda's own press release says curb weight was reduced by over 100 kilograms compared with the previous model, to between 990 and 1,060 kilograms.
- Strong pre-launch demand in Japan Mazda's president said in a launch speech that the model had already attracted over 3,000 pre-orders before its Japan on-sale date.
Why You Might Not
- US-market fuel-pump recall exists for MY2018-2019 cars NHTSA recall 21V-875, filed by Mazda North American Operations, covers 391 MY2018 and 2,517 MY2019 US-market MX-5 units for a fuel-pump impeller that “may become deformed under certain conditions, which could cause fuel pump failure.” Confirm whether a specific JDM ND is part of this US-market recall population before assuming it applies.
- US-market transmission-control-module recall exists for MY2016-2019 automatics NHTSA recall 19V-072 (Mazda's own recall notice 3019A), filed by Mazda North American Operations, covers automatic-transmission MX-5s built April 20, 2015 through December 11, 2018, for a TCM software issue that “may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift.” This recall notice describes the US-market vehicle population specifically; confirm whether it applies to an individual JDM import.
Who Should NOT Buy This
- Buyers who assume a US-market MX-5 recall (fuel pump, MY2018-2019; TCM software, MY2016-2019 automatics) automatically covers a JDM-market ND without confirming the individual car
- Buyers hoping to import an ND into the US right now — the 25-year age condition in 49 CFR 591.5(i)(1) won't be met until 2040 at the earliest
- Buyers who haven't confirmed a 30th Anniversary Edition's serial-numbered badge and production documentation before paying a premium for it
Common Issues & Solutions
The Roadster is a reliable car. Most of what goes wrong is age, not Mazda. Rust hits the sills and frame rails on NA and early NB cars. The soft top vinyl cracks in the sun. The pop-up headlight wiring fails on NAs. And the 1989 to 1992 cars have an early B6 crankshaft that needs to have been replaced by now. None of these are deal breakers if the paperwork shows the work was done.
| Issue | Cause | Solution | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel-pump impeller deformation (US-market recall, MY2018-2019) | NHTSA recall 21V-875: “The impeller in some low pressure fuel pumps may become deformed under certain conditions, which could cause fuel pump failure.” | Mazda's remedy: dealers replace the fuel pump with an improved-density impeller at no charge to the owner. | Recall repair — free to the owner under Mazda's remedy program. |
| Automatic-transmission unexpected downshift (US-market recall, MY2016-2019 automatics) | NHTSA recall 19V-072 / Mazda recall 3019A: electrical noise in the range signal combined with TCM clutch-control software logic “may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift, causing an abrupt deceleration of the drive wheels.” | Mazda's remedy: dealers reprogram the TCM with corrected software. | Recall repair — free to the owner under Mazda's remedy program. |
Differences between JDM & USDM
Mazda's own May 2015 Japan launch release describes the ND at launch with a single engine — the newly developed SKYACTIV-G 1.5-liter direct-injection unit — across S, S Special Package, and S Leather Package trims, priced from 2,494,800 to 3,142,800 yen. The two NHTSA recalls on record (21V-875 for the fuel pump, and 19V-072/3019A for the transmission control module) were both filed by Mazda North American Operations and describe US-market vehicle populations by VIN range; neither recall notice describes a JDM-market population, so confirm independently whether either defect and remedy applies to a specific JDM-market ND.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Walk this list with the seller, not in front of them. The Critical items mean walking away if there's no paperwork. The High items can usually be priced into the deal. A short test drive and ten minutes under the car will tell you most of what you need to know.
Critical Priority
High Priority
Medium Priority
Generation History
ND Mazda Roadster (2015-present)
- Current Generation under production since 2015
- 1.5L SkyActiv-G: ~130-160 hp
- 2.0L SkyActiv-G: ~130-190 hp depending on model year
- RF retractable-fastback body variant offered alongside soft top
- Continues to be sold globally as MX-5; JDM cars wear the Mazda Roadster name
How It Compares
Among lightweight Japanese roadsters, the Roadster is the cheapest to buy, the easiest to fix, and the one with the most aftermarket. The S2000 has more power. The MR2 has the more exotic layout. The Roadster wins on reliability, parts, and the size of the community behind it.
| Feature | ND | Toyota MR2 (SW20) | Honda S2000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layout | FR, 2-seat, convertible | MR, 2-seat, T-top / coupe | FR, 2-seat, convertible / coupe |
| Engine layout | Inline-4 NA (B6/BP/MZR/SkyActiv-G) | Inline-4 NA or turbo | Inline-4 NA high-revving (F20C/F22C) |
| Curb weight | ~2,300 lb (NA/NB) | Heavier mid-engine package | ~2,800 lb |
| Stock power | ~100-200 hp factory range | ~200-245 hp on turbo SW20 | 240+ hp on AP1/AP2 |
| Roof | Soft top / hardtop / PRHT / RF | T-top or coupe (no convertible factory) | Soft top throughout |
| Reputation | Highly reliable, project-friendly | Reliable; mid-engine adds complexity | Reliable; high-rpm engine demands care |
| Production span | 1989-present (4 generations) | 1989-1999 (SW20 only) | 1999-2009 (single generation) |
| JDM-only specials | V-Special, S-Limited, MX-5 SP, Club Sport, NR-A | G-Limited, GT-S, Bilstein editions | Type S / Type V (JDM-only) |
Comparable Alternatives
If the Roadster isn't the right car, the Honda S2000 is the natural step up with more power and more weight. The Toyota MR2 is the mid engine alternative. If you want something smaller and stranger, the Honda Beat and Suzuki Cappuccino are kei convertibles that scratch the same itch.
Suzuki Cappuccino
Kei FR roadster — turbo three-cylinder, removable roof panels
Nissan 350Z
Larger FR sports car with more power and convertible variant
The Buyer's Read
Start with the launch facts: Mazda's own press release says the fourth-generation Roadster went on sale in Japan on May 21, 2015, with a newly developed SKYACTIV-G 1.5-liter direct-injection engine across S, S Special Package, and S Leather Package trims, priced from 2,494,800 to 3,142,800 yen. Mazda says curb weight was cut by over 100 kilograms versus the previous generation, to 990-1,060 kilograms, and the car went on to win the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame's 2015-2016 Car of the Year award.
Two US-market recalls are on record: NHTSA 21V-875 covers a fuel-pump impeller that “may become deformed under certain conditions” on 391 MY2018 and 2,517 MY2019 US-market cars, and NHTSA 19V-072 (Mazda's own recall 3019A) covers a transmission-control-module software issue on MY2016-2019 automatics built April 2015 through December 2018. Both were filed by Mazda North American Operations for US-market VIN ranges — confirm independently whether either applies to a specific JDM-market import rather than assuming it does.
No ND clears the 25-year age condition in 49 CFR 591.5(i)(1) yet — since Mazda's own release places the JDM launch in May 2015, the earliest cars won't qualify for US import until 2040. Confirm current import, EPA, and state requirements when that date approaches. Browse what's currently available across the ND range.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did the fourth-generation Roadster launch, and with what engine?
- Mazda's own press release says it went on sale in Japan on May 21, 2015, with a newly developed SKYACTIV-G 1.5-liter direct-injection engine.
- How much lighter is the ND than the outgoing model?
- Mazda's own press release says curb weight was reduced by over 100 kilograms compared with the previous model, to between 990 and 1,060 kilograms.
- Are there any recalls to check?
- NHTSA recall 21V-875 (fuel pump, MY2018-2019) and recall 19V-072 (transmission-control-module software, MY2016-2019 automatics) both cover US-market MX-5 populations filed by Mazda North American Operations; confirm whether either applies to a specific JDM import.
- Can I import an ND into the US yet?
- Not yet. The 25-year age condition in 49 CFR 591.5(i)(1) is measured from manufacture date; since Mazda's release places the JDM launch in May 2015, no ND will qualify before 2040. Confirm current import, EPA, and state requirements when that date approaches.
Sources & References
Sources (9)
- Eunos Roadster (Mazda Miata) — JDMBUYSELL source article — JDMBUYSELL Verified
- Mazda MX-5 — Wikipedia — Wikipedia Verified
- Eunos Roadster — Wikipedia — Wikipedia Verified
- Mazda MX-5 Miata — Car and Driver model page — Car and Driver Verified
- Mazda Miata — MotorTrend model archive — MotorTrend Verified
- Mazda MX-5 Miata — current Mazda USA model page — Mazda North America Verified
- Mazda MZR engine — Wikipedia — Wikipedia Verified
- SkyActiv Technology — Wikipedia — Wikipedia Verified
- Best-selling sports car — Guinness World Records — Guinness World Records Verified
Sources last verified: