Mazda MX-5 Miata vs Subaru BRZ: 0–60 and Quarter-Mile Comparison
This comparison looks at verified acceleration results for the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Subaru BRZ, focusing on 0–60 mph times, quarter-mile times, and broader acceleration comparisons across available tests. The page draws on 74 results for the Mazda and 23 for the Subaru, spanning model years 1990–2024 for the Miata and 2013–2024 for the BRZ.
In production form, the two cars are tied for quickest 0–60 mph at 5.4 seconds: a 2022 MX-5 Miata Club and a 2023 BRZ Limited. Quarter-mile results are separate, and the production edge there belongs to the BRZ with a 13.9-second run, 0.3 second ahead of the Miata’s best production pass. Median 0–60 figures also favor the BRZ, while the fastest overall 0–60 result belongs to a modified Miata at 3.5 seconds rather than a production car.
The latest shared model year with verified data is 2024, where the recorded 0–60 mph comparison is a tie. As with any multi-year performance overview, trim, transmission, tires, test conditions, and source publication can affect results, so the tables below are useful for comparing specific versions as well as each model’s wider performance range.
MX-5 Miata Fastest 0–60
5.40sec
2022
Club
BRZ Fastest 0–60
5.40sec
2023
Limited
0–60 Winner
Tie
Tests in Database
97
74 + 23
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Category Winners: MX-5 Miata vs BRZ
The Subaru BRZ leads 3–2 across 6 performance categories, with the Mazda MX-5 Miata taking 2 categories.
| Category | Mazda MX-5 Miata | Subaru BRZ |
|---|---|---|
| Fastest production 0–60 | 5.40s Tie | 5.40s Tie |
| Fastest production ¼ mile | 14.20s | 13.90s Winner |
| Fastest overall 0–60 | 3.50s Winner | 4.40s |
| Fastest overall ¼ mile | 11.70s Winner | 12.80s |
| Median production 0–60 | 6.60s | 6.30s Winner |
| Median production ¼ mile | 15.10s | 14.90s Winner |
| Category wins | 2 | 3 |
🏆 Overall Winner: Subaru BRZ
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All-Time Production Records
Production vehicles onlyThe Mazda MX-5 Miata and Subaru BRZ are identically matched on production 0–60, both recording 5.40s.
Fastest Production 0–60
MX-5 Miata
5.40s
2022 · Club
BRZ
5.40s
2023 · Limited
Identical times
Fastest Production ¼ Mile
MX-5 Miata
14.20s
2024 · 96.1 mph
BRZ
13.90s
2023 · 102.0 mph
0.30s difference
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Fastest Overall Results
Includes modified and non-production vehiclesCounting all tests, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has been clocked at 3.50s 0–60 — 0.90s quicker than the Subaru BRZ's overall best of 4.40s.
Fastest Overall 0–60
MX-5 Miata
3.50s
2016 · Flyin’ LS3 Grand Touring
modified
BRZ
4.40s
2014 · Crawford Engineering
modified
Fastest Overall ¼ Mile
MX-5 Miata
11.70s
2016 · 123.0 mph
modified
BRZ
12.80s
2013 · 116.8 mph
modified
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Typical Production Performance
Medians and averages across all production testsOn a typical production run, the Subaru BRZ reaches 60 mph in 6.30s — 0.30s quicker than the Mazda MX-5 Miata's median of 6.60s.
| Metric | Mazda MX-5 Miata | Subaru BRZ |
|---|---|---|
| Median 0–60 | 6.60s | 6.30s |
| Average 0–60 | 6.83s | 6.35s |
| Median ¼ Mile | 15.10s | 14.90s |
| Average ¼ Mile | 15.25s | 14.81s |
| Sample (0–60) | 64 | 21 |
Median is preferred over average — it is less influenced by extreme outlier tests. Averages include all production runs on record.
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Latest Available Results
| Metric | Mazda MX-5 Miata | Subaru BRZ |
|---|---|---|
| Latest tested year | 2024 | 2024 |
| Best 0–60 that year |
5.50s
RF Club |
5.50s
tS |
| Best ¼ mile that year | 14.20s | 14.00s |
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Overlapping Model Years (2013–2024)
6 shared tested yearsRestricted to the 6 years both models overlapped (2013–2024), the Mazda MX-5 Miata held a 0.20s median 0–60 advantage over the Subaru BRZ.
Median 0–60 · 2013–2024 era only
MX-5 Miata
6.10s
24 production runs
BRZ
6.30s
19 production runs
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Data Coverage
The Mazda MX-5 Miata has 74 tests spanning 1990–2024, while the Subaru BRZ has 23 tests from 2013–2024.
| Metric | Mazda MX-5 Miata | Subaru BRZ |
|---|---|---|
| Total tests | 74 | 23 |
| Production tests | 64 | 21 |
| Earliest tested year | 1990 | 2013 |
| Latest tested year | 2024 | 2024 |
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Explore Each Model
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Related Comparisons
Methodology
All 0–60 and quarter-mile results are sourced from independently published road tests by reputable automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed times are not included. When multiple publications test the same vehicle, each run is listed separately. Production and non-production results are clearly distinguished throughout. Fastest 0–60 and fastest quarter-mile records are treated as independent measurements and may come from different tests, trims, or sources.