Launched: 2025 Mazda MX-5 RF – Limited 35th Anniversary Edition, From RM294K

The all-new 2025 Mazda MX-5 RF arrives in Malaysia with a limited 35th Anniversary Edition, priced from RM294,154 onwards.

Following its debut in Thailand late last month, the newly updated 2025 Mazda MX-5 has finally arrived in Malaysia, featuring the limited 35th Anniversary Edition. Solely available in the hard-top RF version, the facelifted ND-gen MX-5 is tagged from RM294,154 on-the-road for the standard version, while the special 35th Anniversary Edition model commands a higher on-the-road price of RM316,154.

The limited 2025 Mazda MX-5 RF 35th Anniversary Edition comes draped in a special Artisan Red Premium exterior hue.

As a tribute to over three decades of driving exhilaration and timeless design, the limited Mazda MX-5 35th Anniversary Edition gets some heritage-inspired design features, which blend well with the modern refinements primed in this ND-gen model. The most notable feature is Mazda’s signature Artisan Red Premium exterior colour, which is created through the brand’s unique Takuminuri painting technology.

Besides the special paint job, the limited-edition model also comes with a serialised 35th Anniversary Edition badge on the rear fender while riding on 17-inch alloy wheels finished in a bright metallic hue.

The 35th anniversary treatment continues as we get inside the roadster, with the special model sporting a bespoke Sports Tan interior trim that covers the dashboard trim, floor mats, and the leather sports seats. To provide contrast against the tan-laden cabin, several parts of the interior, such as the climate vents and door panels, are finished in the same Artisanal Red Premium hue as the exterior.

Not to forget, several 35th Anniversary Edition logos can also be found on the floor mats and the seats’ headrests, in case the tan-laden cabin isn’t enough to set it apart from the standard MX-5 model.

Speaking of which, the 2025 update sees the Malaysian-spec MX-5 getting the same facelift treatment as its Japanese cousins. Some key design changes include new LED headlights featuring 3D-like lighting graphics, a new front bumper design that now houses a forward radar sensor, a new rear bumper design with reflectors and rear fog lamps, redesigned LED combination taillights, and many more.

On board, the updated MX-5 gains some critical upgrades in the form of a new 8.8-inch infotainment screen with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, a redesigned metre cluster featuring a darker dial face colour and a new pointer shape, a USB-C charging port, a high-definition reverse camera, and many more.

On the safety front, the MX-5’s i-Activesense ADAS suite also gains a new Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) function, on top of the existing features like Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Smart Brake Support (SBS), and many more.

Powering the updated MX-5 is the same 2.0-litre 4-cyl naturally-aspirated Skyactiv-G petrol engine rated at 181 HP and 205 NM. Power is sent to the rear wheels (RWD) via either a six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox, with the latter featuring an asymmetrical limited-slip differential (LSD) and Driving Stability Control Track Mode (DSC-TRACK).

Other mechanical improvements primed on the new MX-5 include the Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system that has been updated to enhance nimbleness and precision, while the steering rack friction has been reduced by 5% to provide smoother operation.

Fully imported (CBU) from Japan, the 2025 Mazda MX-5 RF on-the-road price starts from RM294,154 for the 6MT variant, RM296,154 for the 6AT, and RM316,154 for the limited 35th Anniversary Edition, which unfortunately comes solely with a 6AT setup. Included with said prices is Mazda Malaysia’s comprehensive warranty package comprising a 5-year or 100,000 KM manufacturer warranty and a 5-year or 100,000 KM of free scheduled maintenance.

Those who are keen to size up the special Mazda MX-5 35th Anniversary Edition can visit the 1Utama Shopping Centre, where the special roadster will be displayed at the Oval Concourse, 1Utama from Apr 10 to 13, from 10 AM to 10 PM.