22/04/2025

Mazda MX-5 Comparison: Classic NA EV vs Modern ND2 Driving Experience

The Mazda MX-5: Iconic Evolution or Electrified Innovation?

For over three decades, the Mazda MX-5 has stood as an icon of lightweight performance, driver engagement, and affordability. Revered by purists and first-time enthusiasts alike, the MX-5—or Miata, as it’s affectionately known in many markets—is frequently cited as the quintessential modern roadster. Now, as the automotive world accelerates toward electrification, a fascinating question arises: Can an electrified classic truly match the soul of its modern, combustion-powered counterpart?

To answer this, a rare and riveting comparison test was conducted between the newly refined Mazda MX-5 ND2 and a lovingly restored first-generation NA MX-5 that has been converted to all-electric power. This juxtaposition shines a powerful spotlight on how far the MX-5 has come—and where it might be heading in an age of EVs and sustainability.

Back to Basics: The Original Mazda MX-5

Design and Inspiration

First introduced in 1989, the original Mazda MX-5 NA was a tribute to the classic British sports cars of yesteryear: the Lotus Elan, MG Midget, and Triumph Spitfire. With pop-up headlights, a curb weight just under 1,000 kg, and rear-wheel drive, it embodied the sheer joy of driving at an affordable price point.

Tech Specs (Original NA)

Engine: 1.6-liter inline-4 DOHC
Power: 115 bhp
Transmission: 5-speed manual
0-60 mph: approximately 8.6 seconds
Weight: ~950 kg (2,094 lbs)

Enthusiasts loved its simplicity, agile chassis, and communicative steering. It wasn’t the fastest roadster, but the MX-5 was never about outright power—it was about feedback and finesse.

The Electric Twist: EV-Converted NA MX-5

Re-imagining a Classic with New Power

Converting a beloved classic like the NA MX-5 to electric power is no small feat. Yet, automotive innovators globally are beginning to breathe new life into older cars by replacing their internal combustion engines with electric drivetrains. The example tested embraced this trend with a lightweight battery pack and small motor setup, aiming to preserve the lightweight ethos of the original while delivering silent torque and zero emissions.

Tech Specs (EV-Converted NA)

Motor: Custom AC electric motor
Estimated Power: 120-130 bhp
Battery: 25 kWh lithium-ion pack
Range: ~100 miles (160 km)
Weight: ~1,050 kg (2,315 lbs)

Driving Experience

The EV version retains much of the original’s nimble character, but delivers near-instant torque and linear acceleration—a hallmark of electric vehicles. Without engine noise, however, some enthusiasts may miss the visceral soundtrack that accompanied spirited driving. What you gain in smoothness, you potentially lose in soul.

The Modern Champion: The Mazda MX-5 ND2

A Refined Recipe for Fun

Now in its fourth generation, the MX-5 ND2 represents Mazda’s cumulative knowledge of what makes a roadster great. While slightly larger than the NA, it stays true to the original mission: to provide pure, uncomplicated driving joy. With thoughtful updates for refinement and compliance with modern safety and emissions standards, the ND2 is more advanced, yet just as exhilarating.

Tech Specs (Mazda MX-5 ND2)

Engine: 2.0-liter SkyActiv-G inline-4
Power: 181 bhp
Transmission: 6-speed manual
0-60 mph: 6.5 seconds
Weight: ~1,035 kg (2,282 lbs)

Enhanced Yet Authentic

The new MX-5 remains every bit the driver’s car, offering tight steering, a nimble chassis, and more power than ever. Enhanced technologies, such as G-Vectoring Control Plus and a limited-slip differential (in select trims), increase agility and traction without compromising the light-footed nature that made the Miata famous.

Plus, with features like Apple CarPlay, improved sound systems, and updated materials, the ND2 adds a comfort and convenience factor missing from earlier generations.

Which Mazda Offers the Better Drive?

Feel vs. Future

Choosing between the EV-converted NA and the ND2 isn’t straightforward. Each car appeals to a different sensibility:

The EV NA is a head-turner, a statement of sustainable enthusiasm. It’s quiet, quick off the line, and a joy around town with regenerative braking. Its lightweight construction preserves much of the agility of the original car.
The MX-5 ND2 is a master class in modern sports car engineering. It’s ready out of the box, reliable, safe, and still brimming with character. It’s the product of 30 years of continuous development.

For the purist, the EV’s missing engine noise may be a dealbreaker. For the forward-thinking enthusiast, it could be the beginning of a new era in classic car ownership.

Impact on the Market: What Do Enthusiasts and Dealers Want?

In a market increasingly divided between tradition and innovation, the MX-5 offers a rare glimpse into how performance and driving joy can traverse both realms. Automotive dealers will want to note that:

Classic MX-5s in clean condition are increasingly in demand, especially among younger buyers exploring vintage style with modern touches.
Electric conversions offer a niche but growing opportunity for workshops and specialists looking to cater to sustainability-minded drivers.
Modern MX-5s (especially ND2s) continue to sell well due to their reliable, refined packages—including manual options in a market of increasingly automated vehicles.

As EV technology continues to become more accessible, we may soon see OEMs provide factory-built electrified classics—an opportunity that automotive dealers and restoration shops should continue to monitor.

The Future of Electrified Classics: Is This the Way Forward?

Preserving History While Embracing Change

Electric conversions raise vital questions about preserving automotive heritage in the face of urgent climate goals. While traditionalists may shun the loss of engine noise and gear shifts, others see a new world of possibilities—quieter cities, zero emissions, and continued life for cars that would otherwise face obsolescence.

For now, the Mazda MX-5 remains a model for balance—across generations, powertrains, and philosophies. And whether it’s arriving at your garage in its pristine ND2 form or revitalized as an electrified NA, the Miata remains what it has always been at heart: an instrument of joy.

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