A world without the enigmatic Mazda Miata is a world that no car enthusiasts care to live in. While the thought of the Miata disappearing is truly awful, we live in a world where old-school sports cars are vanishing left and right. Take the Alfa Romeo 4C, for instance. These gas-burning sports cars are getting increasingly old-fashioned in the electric world. So the rumor of a canceled Mazda MX-5 Miata is scary close to being believable. 

Is the Mazda Miata discontinued? 

It gives us great pleasure to confirm that the Mazda Miata has not been killed. The rumors were swirling and panic set in after Mazda Japan’s product page for the MX-5 featured a blurb whose rough English translation reads, “Sales of the current model have been discontinued. The announcement of the new model is scheduled for this winter.” 

This quote sent the internet lads reeling, and for good reason. It very much read like the Miata MX-5 was officially dead. Many publications were also confused and caught up in the panic. However, this tricky translation was misleading, but the Miata MX-5 isn’t dead yet. 

Is there a 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata? 

According to The Drive, the Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND) is the fourth- and the current generation of the Miata. It hasn’t seen major upgrades since the 2019 model year. The going thought is, the ND generation will likely see heavy refreshes or maybe a new generation. 

The next step for the Mazda Miata is likely to be a hybrid or full-electric version, which might be why Mazda isn’t zoom zooming to get the next generation out. This line of thinking seems to be the right one. The Drive spoke with a Mazda spokesperson who not only denied the cancellation of the MX-5 but also confirmed that the ND will continue into next year. 

What did Mazda have to say about the rumored cancellation of the Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND)? 

“[There’s] probably a little lost in translation,” a Mazda spokesperson told The Drive regarding the misunderstood lines on Mazda’s website. “The current model year sales have ended in their market and they are getting the next model year in the winter. So 2021 to 2022. Still the ND. We’ll have an update for the 2022 MX-5 in the US in a couple of weeks too.”

I’d say that just about settles it. But if any further convincing was needed, The Drive pushed a little more to which Mazda said, “There are no plans to stop production of the current generation MX-5 (ND).”

Headline journalism is a dangerous thing to trust. As James Gilboy at the Drive eloquently puts it, “No, you don’t have to say goodbye to the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Not that that makes a difference to the sizable demographic that doesn’t read past headlines.” Well said, James. 

The truth is people love the Miata and have for many years. So the thought of losing it makes people panic, and panic makes for great headlines. Luckily for everyone who loves to drive, the Miata is here and seems to have no plans of leaving any time soon. So, at least this time, we can’t belly-ache about “having no good sports car left.” The Miata has been here for us car nerds, and it will continue to be here still.