The Mazda MX-5 2.0-litre is being dropped from the UK range for 2027, but the iconic sports car isn’t going anywhere. Mazda will continue with its 1.5-litre engine, which gains more power and new equipment for the next model year.
Mazda has confirmed that the 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G engine will not be available in the UK when the 2027 MX-5 arrives. The change is linked to the end of a UK emissions derogation, meaning the larger engine will finally disappear from the British MX-5 range.
However, there is still a little time to get behind the wheel of a Mazda MX-5 2.0-litre, with existing stock expected to remain available until around January 2027.
The Mazda MX-5 2.0-litre has already been dropped from several European markets, but the UK received an extension because of a temporary emissions derogation.
That extension is now coming to an end.
Mazda expects the remaining 2.0-litre MX-5 stock in the UK to last until around January 2027. After that, new UK buyers will have to choose the 1.5-litre version.
Mazda has confirmed the changes in its official 2027 Mazda MX-5 announcement.
The outgoing Mazda MX-5 2.0-litre is the more powerful engine in the current MX-5 range.
It produces:
For many MX-5 fans, the 2.0-litre engine has been the obvious choice because it combines the car’s lightweight handling with considerably more performance than the smaller engine.
That makes the remaining UK stock particularly interesting for enthusiasts who want a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre roadster with a manual gearbox.
The good news is that Mazda isn’t simply carrying over the existing 1.5-litre engine unchanged.
Compared with the outgoing Mazda MX-5 2.0-litre, the 1.5-litre is less powerful, but Mazda has made several changes to keep the smaller engine appealing.
For 2027, the 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G produces 136PS, compared with the previous 132PS, while torque increases to 155Nm.
The engine also gets improvements to its acoustics, giving the smaller MX-5 a little more character.
It produces 139g/km of CO₂, while continuing to offer the combination that has made the MX-5 so popular: a lightweight body, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox.
On a good British B-road, you don’t necessarily need huge horsepower to have fun.
The MX-5 has always been about more than outright power.
Mazda’s Jinba Ittai philosophy — the idea of creating a strong connection between driver and car — remains central to the MX-5.
Its relatively low weight, rear-wheel-drive layout and compact dimensions mean the car can still deliver an engaging driving experience without relying on a large engine.
One notable difference is that the 1.5-litre doesn’t get the asymmetric limited-slip differential available with the 2.0-litre.
For drivers who prioritise outright performance and traction, that could make the outgoing Mazda MX-5 2.0-litre even more desirable.
Mazda is also introducing two new versions of the 1.5-litre MX-5: Homura and Homura Plus.
The higher-spec versions receive a range of upgrades, including:
The Homura versions also benefit from Bilstein dampers and a front strut brace.
That should help give the 1.5-litre MX-5 a more focused feel, even without the larger engine.
The 2027 MX-5 will also be available in a new Zinc Green Metallic paint colour.
It’s a suitably distinctive colour for a car that has always had a strong enthusiast following, and it gives buyers another way to make their MX-5 stand out.
Driver Monitoring will become standard across the 2027 MX-5 range.
The range-topping Homura Plus goes further, adding:
The extra technology brings the MX-5 more in line with modern expectations while retaining the relatively simple, driver-focused character that has defined the model.
Mazda has not yet announced full UK pricing for the 2027 range.
The new MX-5 is expected to arrive in the UK in January 2027, with an eight-model line-up covering both Roadster and RF versions.
The range will consist of Prime-Line, Exclusive-Line, Homura and Homura Plus models.
Mazda says the MX-5 remains one of only three convertibles available in the UK for under £30,000, although the exact 2027 pricing will be important once it is announced.
If you’ve been considering an MX-5 and specifically want the 2.0-litre engine, the remaining UK stock could be worth investigating.
For enthusiasts who specifically want a Mazda MX-5 2.0-litre, this could be one of the last opportunities to buy one new in the UK.
The 184PS engine offers a significant performance advantage over the 1.5-litre, while the combination of naturally aspirated power, rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox is becoming increasingly unusual in modern cars.
The fact that the engine is being removed from the UK range could also make good examples more appealing to enthusiasts in the future.
That doesn’t automatically mean you should rush out and buy one, though. If you’re looking at a used MX-5, it’s still important to check the car’s history, condition, mileage and maintenance before buying.
Our guide on how to buy a used car safely covers some of the key checks you should make before handing over your money. MotorHype also has a range of used cars for sale from private sellers and dealers across the UK.
The end of the 2.0-litre engine is disappointing news for some MX-5 fans, but it doesn’t spell the end of Mazda’s famous sports car.
The 2027 model retains the lightweight rear-wheel-drive formula and six-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.5-litre engine gains a little more power and the range receives new equipment.
For buyers who want the biggest engine, the remaining Mazda MX-5 2.0-litre stock could represent a last chance to buy a new UK MX-5 with the larger engine.
For everyone else, the 2027 MX-5 still looks like a compelling option for anyone who values driving enjoyment over outright power.
With more than 1.2 million MX-5s sold worldwide over more than 35 years, Mazda’s little sports car clearly isn’t going anywhere just yet.
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