2026 Mazda MX-5 goes green in Japan, Australian updates to be confirmed

The Mazda MX-5 has been updated in Japan, where it's debuting an all-new paint finish for the Japanese brand.

Zinc Green Metallic will debut on the 2026 MX-5 Roadster and RF in their domestic market, marking the first time a green exterior paint finish has been offered for the fourth-generation sports car.

Mazda says the new colour "takes its inspiration from the color and texture of zinc chromate primer, an undercoat used to enhance the durability of industrial products".

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"In low-light conditions, its solid-like texture creates a tight, powerful impression, while in bright light, the delicate metallic sheen accentuates the body’s sculptural beauty, resulting in a sophisticated and modern overall appearance," says Mazda.

"To achieve this effect, the color formulation incorporates bluish metallic flakes, with optimized particle size and alignment to deliver a cool, refined tone."

Other changes for the Japanese-market MX-5 are still to be confirmed. CarExpert contacted Mazda Australia for information on any upcoming updates for the local range, but it declined to comment at this point in time.

Australia's MX-5 range currently misses out on a few things available in the Japanese market, including adaptive cruise control and a more attainable 1.5-litre engine option, as well as additional roof and interior trim options including racier Recaro bucket seats in the flagship RS.

The facelifted ND-generation MX-5 range debuted connected services for the Mazda brand in Australia, and then in 2025 added a commemorative 35th Anniversary Edition which also debuted the Artisan Red exterior colour for the iconic nameplate.

Mazda Australia has shuffled and adjusted its range of MX-5 variants a number of times during the current model's lifetime. Its existing MX-5 lineup comprises seven variants including all transmission and roof style variations.

Currently, the MX-5 lineup kicks off from $42,640 plus on-road costs for the base Roadster manual, and tops out at $56,790 before on-roads for the more focused MX-5 RF GT RS hard-top, which features BBS forged alloys, Bilstein dampers, Brembo front brakes and a special DSC-TRACK stability control mode for a more playful feel on track.

Stay tuned to CarExpert for the latest Mazda MX-5 updates as they're announced.

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