The Mazda MX-5 is a popular sports car built by Mazda in Hiroshima, Japan. It is known as the MX-5 Miata (or popularly just Miata) in North America, where it was one of the few Mazdas to be given a name. It is known just as the MX-5 in Oceania and Europe and the Eunos Roadster or simply Roadster in Japan. It was initially unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show on 10 February 1989. The Miata is the world's best-selling sports car, with 720,407 cars produced and sold between February 1989 and March 31, 2005. Beginning with the third-generation 2006 model, Mazda consolidated worldwide marketing using the MX-5 name, though enthusiasts in the U.S.A. steadfastly refer to it as a Miata, a name that means "reward" in Old High German.

Production of the next-generation Mazda MX-5 (NC) began in May 2005 and went on sale in August, for the 2006 model year. It uses Mazda's 16-valve, 2.0 L MZR I4 engine, producing 170 hp (128 kW) and 140 ft·lbf (190 N·m). Despite the engine upgrade, impressive engineering allows the car to maintain a perfect 50-50 weight distribution. 5-speed and 6-speed manual transmissions are offered as well as a 6-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.

Despite speculation, the 3rd generation shares no structural components with the RX-8. The chassis was developed specifically for the new MX-5. Suspension has been changed from a 4-wheel double-wishbone setup to a front wishbone rear multilink setup and technologies like traction control and stability control have been added to increase drivability.

The styling harkens back to the original design while adopting a clean, more muscular profile reminiscent of the Audi TT. Some design elements have been adopted to reinforce the family relationship with the RX-8. Unlike the NA to NB update, which was mostly a nose/tail/interior change, there are substantial differences in every body panel, so current accessories will not work with the new design.

A Car and Driver test revealed a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 6.5 seconds for the NC.

The 2006 special edition "3rd Generation Limited" featured added chrome accents and special wheels. 3500 were built worldwide (300 in the UK, 750 in the USA).

Mazda will launch a coupé convertible version of the MX-5 with a three-piece folding metal hardtop in late 2006.