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Everybody knows that the Mazda Miata is not designed to go fast in a straight line. On the contrary, it’s designed to go fast around corners, and it’s exceptional at that. So, when folks ask how fast a 2023 Mazda Miata is, it’s pretty open-ended. Sure, its sub-200 horsepower four-cylinder isn’t the most potent, but it’s more than enough for some fun! So, here are all the 2023 Miata specs you need to know when it comes to performance!

2023 Mazda Miata 0-60 and Top Speed

A front view of a 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata driving
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata | Mazda

For some reason, this metric is what folks love to bring up. In general, folks with a very basic understanding of cars and performance love to throw around top speed and 0-60 numbers. Just know that it’s virtually useless information with a 2023 Mazda Miata. We digress; here’s that info.

According to Car and Driver, the 2023 Mazda Miata sprints from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds for soft-top models. RF models take about 5.8. Foot to the floor with enough running room, the 2023 Miata will bring you to a top speed of around 140 miles per hour.

Detailed photo showing the 2.0-liter four-cylinder VVT Skyactiv engine under the hood of an ND mazda Miata, which spans from the model years 2019 to at least 2023
Mazda Miata Engine | Mazda

It’s worth noting that we could not find an official top speed from Mazda. Why? Because it doesn’t matter. That’s not what this car is for.

Miata specs that matter: Fastest Lap Times

Black 2023 Mazda Miata MX-5 Cup Car blitzing down a race track in the U.S. with a blurred background due to its high performance specs
Mazda Miata race car | Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

When you ask how fast a 2023 Mazda Miata is, these are the figures you should be keeping an eye on. Fortunately, Fastestlaps provides a phenomenal amount of data on just about every vehicle you can imagine. Let’s take a look at the 2.0L Miata’s numbers, which includes the 2023 model year.

BMW 335D xDrive (F30)1:48.00
Audi S4 Avant (B8)1:48.00
Mazda MX-5 Miata (2020-Present)1:48.47
Tesla Model S P85D1:48.92
Bentley Continental GT Speed1:49.00
Laguna Seca times (via Fastestlaps)

Miata specs from Fastestlaps show a lap time of 1:48.47 on the iconic Laguna Seca circuit. That puts the Miata ahead of the Tesla Model S P85D, Bentley Continental GT Speed, and the Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe. In addition, it’s within one second of the 2016 Audi S4 and the E500 Cabriolet.

BMW X6 M 0:25.10
Audi S8 (D4)0:25.10
Mazda MX-5 Miata (2020-Present)0:25.20
Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 AMG S Coupe0:25.20
Dodge Charger SRT 3920:25.20
Motortrend Figure-8 Times (via Fastestlaps)

Another great performance figure is the Motortrend Figure-8 test. At 0:25.20, the Miata matches performance with the Dodge Charger SRT 392, Mercedes GLE 63 AMG S, and the Chevrolet Camaro SS.

Forget top speed, learn to handle the corners!

A front view of a 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata driving
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata | Mazda

Overall, if you’re shopping for one of these lovely little roadsters because you want something fast, you should shop for something else. The Miata specs above reflect a car that requires hard driving to get the most out of it. If you’re only concerned about zero to 60 times, you’re likely not prepared to push a Miata as hard as it can go around a track or windy road! Now’s a great time to learn, though!

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3 Pros and 3 Cons of Driving the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club Every Day