2026 Mazda MX-5 adds safety tech and first green paint in 10 years
Mazda’s two seat sports car adds cyclist detection, standard lane keep assist and Zinc Green paint. Recaro seats are now standard on the GT RS, with pricing from $44,590 before on road costs.
Shane Riley
Key takeaways
- Lane keep assist and cyclist detecting AEB now standard on every MX-5
- Zinc Green Metallic is Mazda’s first green paint in Australia in 10 years
- Pricing starts at $44,590 before on road costs, and orders are open now
Mazda Australia has updated the MX-5 for 2026. The update adds cyclist detection to the autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane keep assist and a new Zinc Green Metallic paint. You can order the updated two seater now, from $44,590 before on road costs.
The flagship GT RS also gets lightweight Recaro bucket seats as standard, plus extra Alcantara trim through the cabin.
Safety upgrades for the 2026 Mazda MX-5
The AEB system could previously detect pedestrians only. It now recognises cyclists as well.
Lane keep assist is also new to the MX-5, and every variant gets it, from the base Roadster up.
Green is back on the colour chart
Zinc Green Metallic is available on both the soft top Roadster and the folding hard top RF (Retractable Fastback). Mazda says the colour is based on zinc chromate primer, an undercoat used to protect industrial parts. The paint is meant to look almost solid in low light and show a fine metallic sheen in bright sun.
Mazda Australia sales and marketing director Jarrod Gieschen said customers had been asking for green.
“This is the first time in 10 years that a green body colour has been available on a Mazda in Australia,” he said.
The six other colours carry over: Snowflake White Pearl Mica, Soul Red Crystal Metallic, Deep Crystal Blue Mica, Jet Black Mica, Machine Grey Metallic and Aero Grey Metallic.
GT RS gains Recaro seats as standard
The GT RS comes only with a manual. It now gets lightweight Recaro bucket seats as standard, trimmed in nappa leather and Alcantara with light grey stitching. Alcantara also covers the dashboard, centre console, console lid and door trims.
The engine is unchanged. Every MX-5 has a 2.0 litre non turbo four cylinder petrol engine making 135kW and 205Nm. It drives the rear wheels through a six speed manual or six speed automatic.
The MX-5’s closest rivals are still the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ, which are both rear drive coupes. The MX-5 is the only one of the three with a roof that folds away.
2026 Mazda MX-5 price in Australia
| Variant | Transmission | Price (excluding on-roads) |
| MX-5 G20 Roadster | Manual | $44,590 |
| MX-5 G20 Roadster GT | Manual | $51,240 |
| MX-5 G20 Roadster GT | Automatic | $52,740 |
| MX-5 G20 Roadster GT RS | Manual | $57,240 |
| MX-5 G20 RF GT | Manual | $55,740 |
| MX-5 G20 RF GT | Automatic | $57,240 |
| MX-5 G20 RF GT Black Roof Tan Leather | Automatic | $58,260 |
| MX-5 G20 RF GT RS | Manual | $61,740 |
Orders are open now. View Mazda MX-5 driveaway pricing and specifications →
Shane Riley
Co-founder & Director
Shane Riley is Co-founder and Director of The Beep based in Melbourne, Australia. He has 20+ years across OEM, leasing and fleet, with experience in vehicle strategy, sales and operations.
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