Used 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata cost?

Prices have held steady compared to this time last year, signaling a stable and predictable market for this model year.

There are 232 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata earns a 4.7/5 user rating and a 5.8/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Performance at 8/10.

Owners consistently praise its exceptional driving experience, stylish design, and strong performance. They also highlight the attention to detail and quality build, while noting limited cargo space and wind noise at highway speeds.

That lines up with the car’s use case as a budget-friendly weekend car or third-garage-stall option: you’re buying it for driving enjoyment first, not everyday practicality. The market also shows 39.2% good or great deals, which suggests there’s still some room to shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata reliable?

Owners rate it 4.7/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a car that feels dependable and well put together, with strong build quality and the kind of driving experience people tend to keep coming back to. That matters for a roadster like this, because long-term ownership usually depends on whether the car still feels rewarding after the novelty wears off.

Mazda also backs the Miata with a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about complexity and more about whether the car has been cared for well, since a small sports car can show wear quickly if it’s been driven hard or stored poorly.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace documentation. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on wear from spirited driving, interior condition, and any signs of neglect. Since this car is often bought as a fun second vehicle, condition can vary a lot from one example to the next.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Sport, Club, and Grand Touring trims differ in comfort and convenience, with base models getting cloth upholstery while higher grades add black leather seats and more premium touches. The Club and Grand Touring can also be had with the retractable fastback configuration, which changes the car’s character and price.
• Powertrain: Every Miata uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, paired with a standard six-speed manual or available six-speed automatic. It’s rear-wheel drive only, and the manual is tuned for easy, forgiving shifts.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes low-speed braking support, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, a tire pressure monitoring system, and an engine immobilizer. Available upgrades add automatic high beams, traffic sign recognition technology, and an anti-theft alarm.
• Infotainment: Standard tech includes a 7-inch touchscreen, USB, Bluetooth, HD Radio, AUX input, and a six-speaker audio system. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, two USB ports, and a Bose nine-speaker system are available, but Mazda Connect is not.
• Fuel efficiency: The manual transmission is rated at 26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. The automatic improves highway efficiency and reaches 30 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata trim should I buy?

The 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata is offered in 3 trim levels: MX-5 Sport, MX-5 Club, and MX-5 Grand Touring.

Here's the short version:

• MX-5 Sport: This is the entry point, and it gives you the core Miata experience at the lowest price. It’s the trim to choose if you care most about the driving feel and want to keep the purchase as affordable as possible.
• MX-5 Club: This is the best-value trim if you want the most engaging setup without jumping to the highest price tier. It adds the sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shocks, limited-slip differential, and front shock tower brace, making it the sweet spot for enthusiasts.
• MX-5 Grand Touring: This is the trim to buy if you want the most comfort and convenience features. It’s the most premium version of the standard soft-top lineup and suits you best if you want the Miata experience with a more upscale cabin.

The safety package is broad across the lineup, with available upgrades that add automatic high beams, traffic sign recognition technology, and an anti-theft alarm.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but should move quickly on the right car.

• Deal availability: 39.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 232 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,914, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata's resale value?

The current average of $25,290 sits slightly below last year's $25,436.

That small decline suggests the market has been stable rather than volatile, which is usually a good sign if you plan to sell later. A car that holds close to its prior-year value tends to give you a clearer sense of what you can expect at trade-in or private sale time.

Because the Miata sits in a niche segment with steady enthusiast demand, pricing tends to be supported by its appeal rather than by broad commuter-market volume. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.7/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata safe?

It earns a 5/10 safety score from our experts.

Every 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata comes with a good list of standard safety features including low-speed braking support, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, a tire pressure monitoring system, and an engine immobilizer. Buyers can upgrade their purchase to include automatic high beams, traffic sign recognition technology, and an anti-theft alarm.

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has rated the Mazda MX-5 Miata for safety and crashworthiness. That means you should lean more heavily on the standard safety equipment and the vehicle history report when evaluating a used example.

Should I buy a 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 39.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.7/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It keeps the Miata formula focused on a budget-friendly, rear-wheel-drive sports car with few changes.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $27,042, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $25,290 average.
• It adds Kinematic Posture Control for sharper cornering behavior.

The bottom line: Choose the 2021 if you want the lower price and a stable market with strong owner satisfaction. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer-year upgrade, the 2022 is the better pick for buyers who want the added chassis refinement.

How does the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata compare to the 2021 Ford Mustang?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata:

• Pros: Fun to drive, Great handling, Manual transmission available.
• Cons: Not much cargo space, Noisy, Outdated technology.

2021 Ford Mustang:

• Pros: Stylish design, Fun to drive, Manual transmission available.
• Cons: Poor visibility, Cramped back seat, Not much cargo space.

Our experts score the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata 5.8/10 and the 2021 Ford Mustang 8.2/10. The Miata is the lighter, more focused driver’s car, while the Mustang brings more power and a stronger overall expert score. Both offer manual transmissions and fun-to-drive appeal, but the Mustang’s drawbacks are more about size and visibility, while the Miata’s trade-offs are cargo space, noise, and older tech.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.