Mazda has confirmed that its MX-5 sports car will only be available with a 1.5-litre petrol engine from 2027 onwards. The decision follows the discontinuation of the 184hp Skyactiv-G engine in Europe earlier this year, a move driven by increasingly stringent emissions regulations that have squeezed out higher-displacement naturally aspirated powertrains across the industry.
Emissions rules have placed growing pressure on manufacturers to phase out larger petrol engines that cannot meet new CO2 targets without expensive modifications. Mazda managed to extend the 2.0-litre’s lifespan in the UK by building up a stock of cars before the cutoff, but those remaining models are expected to sell out by around January, when the updated 2027 range arrives in dealerships.
The 1.5-litre engine itself has received a mild tune-up for the new model year. Output rises to 136hp and 114lb ft of torque, while CO2 emissions have been reduced compared to the current version. Mazda has been clear that the naturally aspirated four-cylinder will remain the soul of the car, and this modest power bump is intended to keep the MX-5 competitive without abandoning the lightweight, driver-focused ethos that has defined it for more than three and a half decades.
Related: Best Car Events for Fans in 2026
Both the Roadster soft-top and RF folding-hardtop variants will carry over with the 1.5-litre engine as standard, paired exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox. The 2027 lineup spans four trim levels, two of which are new to the 1.5-litre model: Homura and Homura Plus. These higher-spec variants bring 16-inch Rays alloy wheels, Brembo front brakes, black mirror caps, and a pair of Recaro seats as standard.
For the first time on a 1.5-litre MX-5, buyers in these grades also receive uprated Bilstein dampers and a front strut brace, upgrades that should sharpen handling without compromising the daily drivability that keeps the car popular with commuting enthusiasts and weekend track-day regulars alike. They also get a new exterior colour, Zinc Green Metallic, which takes inspiration from the colour and texture of zinc chromate primer, a coating historically used in aerospace and industrial applications.
Jeremy Thomson, Mazda UK’s managing director, acknowledged the change in a statement accompanying the announcement. “We have sufficient stock of 2.0-litre models to meet anticipated customer demand until around January, when the 2027 Mazda MX-5 will arrive in UK dealerships,” he said. “While it’s a shame that changing legislation means we can no longer sell the 2.0 in the UK, the 1.5-litre engine remains at the heart of the MX-5.”
Related: Zeekr SUV locks owner out abroad
Thomson added that the current-generation car was originally developed around the smaller engine, and that its lightweight, responsive character aligns closely with the Japanese concept of Jinba Ittai — the idea that car and driver should move as one. The 1.5-litre ensures customers can continue to enjoy the lightweight, engaging and fun to drive experience that has defined the Mazda MX-5 for more than 35 years and continues to win awards as one of the best driving cars on the road today.
Prices for the 2027 model have not been announced. Mazda says the MX-5 will remain one of only three convertibles currently on sale in the UK priced under £30,000, a category that has shrunk considerably as other manufacturers move upmarket or exit the segment altogether.