Mazda MX-5 Miata RF vs. Subaru BRZ
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF 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 RF and the Subaru BRZ.
When comparing the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF's and the Subaru BRZ's specifications and ratings, The Subaru BRZ has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF's and the Subaru BRZ's specifications and ratings, the Subaru BRZ is a better car than the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF.
Pricing: For a new model, the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF's price is between $38,573 and $41,912, with the Subaru BRZ priced between $31,307 and $37,886.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF loses 34.5 percent of its value and the Subaru BRZ loses 24.3 percent of its value. This means the Subaru BRZ retains 10.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is 7.3 out of 10 while the Subaru BRZ's quality rating is 8.4 out of 10. This results in the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF being ranked 10 out of 15 Best Sports Cars and the Subaru BRZ being ranked 3 out of 15.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is 6.3 out of 10. For the Subaru BRZ the reliability rating is 7.9 out of 10. This gives the Subaru BRZ an advantage in reliability compared to the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF’s base engine makes 181 horsepower, and the Subaru BRZ base engine makes 228 horsepower.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$38,573 - $41,912
Starting MSRP:
$37,010
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
$34,022
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
$28,985 - $42,970
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$31,307 - $37,886
Starting MSRP:
$30,195
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
$34,022
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
$28,985 - $42,970
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
$50,979
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
$35,475 - $58,789
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
395
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
430
# Good or Great Deals:
2
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
$50,979
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
$35,475 - $58,789
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
107
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
1,202
# Good or Great Deals:
0
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$13,002
Depreciation %:
35.1%
Resale Value $:
$24,008
Residual Value %:
64.9%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Sports Cars)
29.8%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Sports Cars)
23.9% - 44.3%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$7,614
Depreciation %:
25.2%
Resale Value $:
$22,581
Residual Value %:
74.8%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Sports Cars)
29.8%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Sports Cars)
23.9% - 44.3%
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.3 / 10
Reliability:
6.3 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Subaru BRZ Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
9.0 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
15.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Sports Cars)
12.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Sports Cars)
8.9 - 15.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru BRZ
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Sports Cars)
12.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Sports Cars)
8.9 - 15.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
1.4%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.6 - 6.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.6 - 6.6
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 9Ranking
6 out of / 9Ranking
6 out of / 9Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 9Ranking
8 out of / 10Ranking
9 out of / 14Ranking
9 out of / 9Ranking
10 out of / 15Ranking
10 out of / 15Ranking
11 out of / 15Ranking
12 out of / 15Ranking
14 out of / 15Ranking
15 out of / 15Subaru BRZ Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 14Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 15Ranking
5 out of / 15Ranking
10 out of / 15Ranking
13 out of / 15Ranking
13 out of / 15Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Trim Levels
Club, Grand Touring
Subaru BRZ Trim Levels
Limited, Premium, 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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 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):
0.073 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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
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
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
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
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
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
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
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:
36.8 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:
4.5 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:
2470 lbs
Width:
68.3 inches
Height:
49 inches
Length:
154.1 inches
Wheelbase:
90.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 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:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/45R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/45R17
Exterior Colors
Beige
Zircon Sand Metallic
Black
Jet Black Mica
Gray
Aero Gray / Machine Gray Metallic
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Blue
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Red
Ignition Red
White
Crystal White Pearl
Blue
Sapphire Blue Pearl / WR Blue Pearl
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Tan
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black