Mazda RX-7 vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda RX-7 and Mazda MX-5 Miata 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 RX-7 and the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
When we compare the Mazda RX-7's and the Mazda MX-5 Miata's specifications and ratings, the Mazda RX-7 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Mazda MX-5 Miata has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Mazda RX-7's and the Mazda MX-5 Miata's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda RX-7’s base engine makes 160 horsepower, and the Mazda MX-5 Miata base engine makes 116 horsepower. The RX-7 is rated to deliver an average of 18 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 414 miles. The MX-5 Miata is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 308 miles.This gives the Mazda MX-5 Miata the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Mazda RX-7 the advantage in maximum range. Both models use gasoline.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
29199
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
15869
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
15384
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
10587 - 18429
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
97080
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
12506
Price Range:
4499 - 20713
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
16589
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
12506 - 20662
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
5
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
99322
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Mazda RX-7 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Mazda MX-5 Miata Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda RX-7
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda MX-5 Miata
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Mazda RX-7 Rankings
Not yet available
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 / 12Available Body Styles
Convertible, Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mazda RX-7 Trim Levels
Not yet available
Mazda MX-5 Miata Trim Levels
Base, Special
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
3 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
3 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
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:
160 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque:
140 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
116 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
100 foot-lbs @ 5500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.053 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Rotary
Number of Cylinders:
Not yet available
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
15 / 23 / 18
Range (city/hwy):
270 / 414 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 28 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
242 / 308 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
36.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
52.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
50.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3071 lbs
Width:
66.5 inches
Height:
49.8 inches
Length:
169.9 inches
Wheelbase:
95.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2182 lbs
Width:
65.9 inches
Height:
48.2 inches
Length:
155.4 inches
Wheelbase:
89.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
Not yet available
Wheel Type:
Not yet available
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black
Blue
Brave Blue Mica
Red
Blaze Red
White
Crystal White
Green
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Mariner Blue
Red
Classic Red
White
Crystal White
Green
British Racing Green
Silver
Silver Stone Metallic
