The “NB” Mazda MX-5 Miata, built from 1999 to 2005, evolved one of the world’s most popular roadsters into a more refined, more capable, and more mature sports car, while still preserving the lightness and purity of the first-generation “NA” Miata. The second-gen car catered to enthusiasts who wanted the analog charm, rear-wheel-drive balance, and open-air fun of the original Miata, but with improved performance, better safety, and a slightly more upscale feel. Today, the NB Miata is sought out by everyone from budget-minded enthusiasts to autocross diehards.

The NB debuted for the 1999 model year with an updated 1.8-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine that produced 140 horsepower in early models, which later rose to 143 horsepower as Mazda improved intake design, emissions systems, and engine management. A five-speed manual was standard, with a six-speed introduced in higher trims and special editions. Suspension geometry remained rooted in Mazda’s double-wishbone philosophy, delivering quick responses and exceptional predictability. Even as safety regulations added weight, the NB maintained excellent balance and agility, preserving the Miata’s core identity as a momentum car that rewarded driver precision rather than brute force.

Mazda continually updated the NB through its production run. The car’s look was refreshed in 2001, with revised front and rear fascias, improved interior materials, an upgraded steering wheel and gauges, and a glass rear window with a defroster on soft-top models. These cars are referred to as the NB2 series Miatas. Additional refinements in the model’s lifecycle included better sound insulation, improved brake feel, and incremental chassis stiffening. These changes gave the NB a more mature presence without compromising its minimalist ethos. Throughout the run, Mazda paid careful attention to tuning and detail, ensuring that every update preserved the Miata’s playful and communicative nature.

Enthusiasts gravitate toward several notable variants within the NB lineup. The NB2 is often preferred for its sharper styling and mechanical refinements. The Mazdaspeed MX-5, offered for 2004 and 2005, stands as the only factory-turbocharged Miata ever produced, delivering 178 horsepower, a sport-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes, a six-speed manual, and unique exterior and interior touches. It transformed the NB into a genuinely quick sports car without sacrificing balance. Other memorable editions—like the 10th Anniversary model with its six-speed gearbox and Bilstein dampers, the LS with its leather-trimmed comfort focus, and numerous regional special editions—added variety and collector appeal.

By the time production ended in 2005, the NB Mazda MX-5 Miata had solidified its standing as one of the best driver’s cars of its era. It advanced the Miata formula with more power, better refinement, and improved safety, yet stayed true to the principles of light weight, affordability, and mechanical purity. Whether enjoyed as a stock weekend roadster, a Mazdaspeed turbo special, or a modified track toy, the NB remains a defining example of how thoughtful evolution can preserve—and even elevate—a sports car’s essence.