Mazda MX-5 Miata vs. Subaru BRZ
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Subaru BRZ contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the Subaru BRZ.
When comparing the Mazda MX-5 Miata's and the Subaru BRZ's specifications and ratings, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability and overall quality score. The Subaru BRZ has the advantage in the areas of resale value and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mazda MX-5 Miata's and the Subaru BRZ's specifications and ratings, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is a better car than the Subaru BRZ.
Pricing: A used 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata ranges from $28,131 to $38,700 while a used 2025 Subaru BRZ is priced between $29,690 to $38,022. For a new model, the Mazda MX-5 Miata's price is between $31,130 and $39,871, with the Subaru BRZ priced between $34,038 and $40,633.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Mazda MX-5 Miata loses 36.3 percent of its value and the Subaru BRZ loses 30.3 percent of its value. This means the Subaru BRZ retains 6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mazda MX-5 Miata is 8.8 out of 10 while the Subaru BRZ's quality rating is 8.6 out of 10. This results in the Mazda MX-5 Miata being ranked 1 out of 12 Best Sports Cars and the Subaru BRZ being ranked 4 out of 12.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mazda MX-5 Miata is 8.9 out of 10. For the Subaru BRZ the reliability rating is 8.0 out of 10. This gives the Mazda MX-5 Miata a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Subaru BRZ.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda MX-5 Miata’s base engine makes 181 horsepower, and the Subaru BRZ base engine makes 228 horsepower. The MX-5 Miata is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 405 miles. The BRZ is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 356 miles. This gives the Mazda MX-5 Miata the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Subaru BRZ. Both models use premium unleaded.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
31130 - 39871
Starting MSRP:
29830
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
35186
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
29830 - 42970
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
34038 - 40633
Starting MSRP:
33210
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
35186
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
29830 - 42970
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
33746
Price Range:
28131 - 38700
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
40382
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
33746 - 50310
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
34667
Price Range:
29690 - 38022
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
40382
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
33746 - 50310
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
10922
Depreciation %:
0.3661385
Resale Value $:
18908
Residual Value %:
0.6338615000000001
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Sports Cars)
0.33757779
Category Depreciation Range:
(Sports Cars)
0.24794219 - 0.47768027
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
10217
Depreciation %:
0.30765927
Resale Value $:
22993
Residual Value %:
0.69234073
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Sports Cars)
0.33757779
Category Depreciation Range:
(Sports Cars)
0.24794219 - 0.47768027
Mazda MX-5 Miata Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Subaru BRZ Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
9.1 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda MX-5 Miata
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
24.6
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Sports Cars)
15.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Sports Cars)
9.4 - 24.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.131
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru BRZ
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
14.0
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Sports Cars)
15.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Sports Cars)
9.4 - 24.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.032
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.703241207488077
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
4.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.6 - 5.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.107191389575317
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
4.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.6 - 5.1
Mazda MX-5 Miata Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
6 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
11 out of / 12Subaru BRZ Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 8Ranking
4 out of / 12Ranking
4 out of / 12Ranking
4 out of / 12Ranking
4 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 8Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
10 out of / 12Ranking
11 out of / 12Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mazda MX-5 Miata Trim Levels
35th Anniversary Edition, Club, Grand Touring, Sport
Subaru BRZ Trim Levels
Limited, Premium, Series.Purple, tS
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
181 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque:
151 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.077 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
228 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.081 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 34 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
309 / 405 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 27 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
264 / 356 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
52.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
4.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
33.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
29.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
51.7 inches
Cargo Space:
6.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
83.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2366 lbs
Width:
68.3 inches
Height:
48.6 inches
Length:
154.1 inches
Wheelbase:
90.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2820 lbs
Width:
69.9 inches
Height:
51.6 inches
Length:
167.9 inches
Wheelbase:
101.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P195/50R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/45R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Red
Ignition Red
Blue
Sapphire Blue Pearl / WR Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Black
Black
