Neither Toyota nor Mazda have confirmed or denied the reports, but a partnership would allow both automakers to shoulder development costs. (2 min. read)
Daily News
Oct 6, 2025
Mazda and Toyota are rumored to be teaming up to launch a new sports car—with some speculating that it could be a four-seat spin on the MX-5 Miata.
The details: Reports from Japanese outlet Best Car suggest that Toyota and Mazda will co-develop a successor to both the GR86 and MX-5 on a shared platform.
The new sports car is rumored to be a 2+2 version of the Miata platform.
It could also feature hybrid technology, as Toyota already shares its hybrid systems with Mazda for the CX-50 SUV.
Worth noting: Neither Toyota nor Mazda have confirmed or denied the reports, but such a partnership would allow both automakers to shoulder development costs and reduce financial risk while delivering a new enthusiast-focused vehicle.
Why it matters: A joint Toyota–Mazda sports car could inject new excitement into showrooms, attract younger buyers, and bolster both brands’ reputations for building fun-to-drive, efficient vehicles in a market dominated by SUVs and EVs.
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Between the lines: A hybrid, four-seat variant of the MX-5 Miata would fit the market’s shift toward practical performance—balancing driving enjoyment with efficiency.
In July, Mazda sold 1,163 MX-5 units, a 131% year-over-year jump, signaling rising interest in compact sports cars.
Year to date, Mazda has sold 5,935 MX-5s—a 32% increase from last year’s 4,508 units.
Big picture: Both Mazda and Toyota have touted hybrids as key components of their powertrain strategy—with electrified vehicles, including hybrids, accounting for 45.8% of Toyota’s sales in September.
Bottom line: If the rumored Toyota–Mazda collaboration comes to life, it could deliver an affordable, hybrid-powered sports car that blends performance, efficiency, and everyday usability. The move would also strengthen both brands’ standing as champions of accessible driving passion in an increasingly electrified and SUV-heavy market.
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Oct 6, 2025
Oct 6, 2025
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