Mazda is saying goodbye to the 2.0-litre MX-5 in the UK, but the iconic sports car isn’t going anywhere. The 2027 MX-5 will continue with its 1.5-litre engine, now with more power and new equipment.
There is some bad news for UK sports car fans who have always considered the 2.0-litre Mazda MX-5 the pick of the range.
Mazda has confirmed that the 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G engine will not be carried over into the 2027 MX-5, meaning the smaller 1.5-litre engine will become the only powertrain available on new UK-market cars.
The change comes as the UK’s emissions regulation derogation for the 2.0-litre engine comes to an end.
The good news is that Mazda has given the 1.5-litre version a small power increase, while some of the equipment previously associated with the more powerful MX-5 is also being introduced on the smaller engine.
The 2.0-litre MX-5 isn’t disappearing from UK roads overnight.
Mazda says it has sufficient existing 2.0-litre stock to meet anticipated customer demand until around January 2027, when the updated MX-5 is due to arrive in UK dealerships.
Once those cars have been sold, the 2.0-litre engine will no longer be available to order as a new MX-5 in Britain.
That could make the remaining new 2.0-litre cars particularly interesting to enthusiasts who want the more powerful version of the current-generation MX-5.
The reason comes down to emissions regulations.
Mazda dropped the 2.0-litre MX-5 from other European markets in 2024 because of changing emissions regulations. The UK was able to keep the engine for longer because of different regulatory derogation timings.
That extended period has now ended, meaning Mazda will cease UK sales of the 2.0-litre once its remaining stock has been sold.
It is a significant change because the 2.0-litre has been the performance choice of the current MX-5 range.
The engine produces 184PS (181bhp) and 205Nm of torque, giving it a substantial advantage over the smaller engine.
Mazda isn’t simply carrying the existing 1.5-litre into 2027 unchanged.
The updated 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G will produce 136PS, equivalent to around 134bhp, with torque increasing to 155Nm (114lb ft).
That’s a modest increase, but Mazda has also made changes to the engine’s acoustics to enhance the driving experience.
CO₂ emissions have also been reduced to 139g/km.
The increase isn’t enough to replace the 2.0-litre in terms of outright performance, but the MX-5 has never been a sports car that relied solely on big power figures.
While losing the 2.0-litre engine will disappoint plenty of enthusiasts, the 1.5-litre has always been an important part of the MX-5 formula.
Mazda says the current-generation MX-5 was originally developed around the smaller engine, with its lightweight and responsive character fitting the company’s Jinba Ittai philosophy of driver and car working together.
The smaller engine also helps maintain the MX-5’s lightweight character.
That means the 2027 car should still offer the qualities that have made the MX-5 such a popular driver’s car: rear-wheel drive, a six-speed manual gearbox, compact dimensions and relatively modest weight.
On a good British B-road, you don’t necessarily need huge horsepower to have fun.
Mazda is also changing the specification of the 1.5-litre MX-5 for 2027.
For the first time, Homura and Homura Plus grades will be available with the 1.5-litre engine.
That’s significant because these versions bring some of the enthusiast-focused equipment previously associated with the more powerful MX-5.
The Homura and Homura Plus feature 16-inch metallic black RAYS alloy wheels, red Brembo front brakes, red rear brake calipers and black mirrors.
Inside, buyers get Recaro seats, along with black detailing around the air vents and air-conditioning controls.
Mazda hasn’t stopped at cosmetic changes.
The 1.5-litre Homura and Homura Plus also receive Bilstein dampers and a front strut brace, giving the smaller-engined MX-5 a more focused chassis setup.
However, there is one important piece of hardware that doesn’t make the transition from the 2.0-litre.
The 1.5-litre does not get the asymmetric limited-slip differential used by the 2.0-litre MX-5.
For driving enthusiasts, that remains one of the reasons the outgoing 2.0-litre cars are likely to remain desirable.
The 2027 Mazda MX-5 will also be available with a new paint colour called Zinc Green Metallic.
Mazda says the new shade will be available across the updated MX-5 range, including both the Roadster and RF body styles.
It’s a relatively small change, but the new colour gives buyers another way to make the increasingly familiar fourth-generation MX-5 stand out.
The changes aren’t limited to the engine and trim levels.
Driver Monitoring will become standard across the entire 2027 MX-5 range.
The range-topping Homura Plus also gains additional equipment including Adaptive LED Headlights, Smart Brake Support Rear, Rear Crossing Alert, Vehicle Exit Warning and a rear-view camera.
That gives the current MX-5 some useful technology updates while Mazda keeps the fundamental driving experience largely unchanged.
Mazda has not yet announced full UK pricing for the 2027 MX-5.
The company has confirmed that the new model will arrive in UK showrooms in January 2027, with an eight-model range covering both the Roadster and RF body styles.
The range will consist of Prime-Line, Exclusive-Line, Homura and Homura Plus grades.
Mazda also says the MX-5 remains one of only three convertibles available in the UK for under £30,000, although the final pricing for the 2027 range has yet to be revealed.
For enthusiasts, the remaining 2.0-litre cars could be worth a serious look.
Once Mazda’s existing stock has been sold, anyone wanting a brand-new current-generation MX-5 with the 181bhp 2.0-litre engine will have missed their opportunity.
The 2.0-litre also has advantages beyond its extra power, including the limited-slip differential and enthusiast-focused chassis hardware that aren’t replicated completely by the new 1.5-litre models.
That doesn’t necessarily mean prices will suddenly rise, but desirable, low-mileage 2.0-litre MX-5s could become increasingly interesting to enthusiasts once they are no longer available new.
If you’re considering one, however, there’s no guarantee that waiting will make them cheaper.
The loss of the 2.0-litre engine is disappointing, but it doesn’t fundamentally change what makes the MX-5 special.
The 2027 model still has the ingredients that have made the MX-5 one of the world’s best-known driver’s cars: a lightweight design, rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox and an emphasis on driver involvement rather than outright performance.
The updated 1.5-litre also gets more power, improved engine acoustics and access to more enthusiast-focused equipment.
Mazda says more than 1.2 million MX-5s have been sold worldwide over more than 35 years, making it the world’s best-selling roadster.
So while the 2.0-litre’s departure marks the end of an era for the UK MX-5, the car itself isn’t going anywhere just yet.
For enthusiasts who specifically want the 181bhp 2.0-litre, though, the message is simple: the remaining cars could be your last chance to buy a new one in the UK.
For the latest car news, or if you’re looking to buy or sell a used car, visit MotorHype and explore the UK’s free used car marketplace.
You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy.
You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
