The NC featured exterior styling by Yasushi Nakamuta sharing no components with the NB, except for the fender-mounted turn signal lights on non-U.S. models, and rear differential internals.

Designed by Webasto[11] and constructed of polycarbonate,[12] the top requires 12 seconds to raise or lower, and the first models were delivered to customers in late August 2006.

Introduced at the 2005 SEMA Show, the Troy Lee Designs MX-5 NC was a one-off model that featured a custom silver/black paint scheme by L&G Enterprises, a body kit with rear deck cover designed by Keith Dean, 18-inch Volk Racing wheels, Wilwood brakes, and a custom black/red leather interior trim by Stitchcraft.

[13] Making its debut at the 2005 New York International Auto Show, the 3rd Generation Limited was a launch edition of the MX-5 NC which featured added chrome accents, stainless steel scuff plates, and special 17-inch wheels.

[14][15][16] The MS-R (Motor Sport-Racing) package was designed specifically to enhance the on-track performance of the MX-5 in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Showroom Stock B (SSB) road racing and C-Stock (CS) autocrossing.

The MS-R package is based on the SV model MX-5, which already includes a 124 kW (166 hp) 2.0-liter four-cylinder MZR engine, five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel disc brakes.

[17] Introduced at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Salon, the Kurenai Concept was a PRHT model in Radiant Ebony color with chrome accents, custom 17-inch alloy wheels, and a red leather and alcantara interior.

[22] Major changes concern the restyled front which now incorporates elements from Mazda's newer models like the larger grille and new head and fog lights.

It includes a special exterior styling package with a chrome grille, door handles and headlight fascia, silver-look fog lamp frames, unique 17-inch alloy wheels and 20th Anniversary logos and a strut tower bar.

Available body colors include True Red, Crystal White Pearl and, specific for this edition, a new Aurora Blue (with matching painted decorative elements in the interior).

Inside, the stainless steel scuff plate features a unique '20th Anniversary' logo and limited edition number, premium '20th Anniversary' branded floor mats, a body-colored front dashboard, aluminum pedal set, and manual air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and hand-brake lever; MP3-compatible Radio/CD audio system with six speakers, steering wheel controls and an auxiliary input jack for MP3 and iPod connection.

The Miyako package included Medici premium perforated black leather trim with a red underlay and stitching, special badging, floor mats and climate control air conditioning.

Available body colors included Spirited Green metallic, Crystal White Pearlescent and Velocity Red mica.

It included a single-panel grenadine-red soft-top made by Haartz Corporation, lower car body, Stratosphere White body color, Yokohama AO48 225/45R17 performance with 17-inch 10-spoke ADVAN RS wheels in Gun Metal Metallic, a turbocharged MZR 2.0-liter engine fueled by BP's isobutanol, a lithium-ion racing battery made by Braille Battery, a Racing Beat header, intake and exhaust muffler, MAZDASPEED coil over kit, Brembo brakes, tanned Saddle black-leather seats with Aqua leather accents and Coal Ash suede inserts, Spider Silk Gray Metallic-colored trim pieces on the doors and dash, black interior, customized floor mats by Star West and a MAZDASPEED short-throw shifter.

The MX-5 Super20 included Hyper Orange Mica-colored body, stationary glossy black hardtop with matching orange stripes, color-matched roll bar, black leather seats with suede seat inserts and orange contrast channel stitching, DPTune reflashed ECU, Racing Beat 304-stainless steel header and exhaust, Racing Beat hollow front and rear anti-roll bars, ACT organic street clutch, MAZDASPEED coil overs and a shock tower brace, Power Slot slotted brake rotors, StopTech stainless steel brake lines and street performance brake pads, SpeedSource front brake ducts, black 16-inch Enkei RPF1 twin-spoke racing wheels, Toyo Proxes RA-1 245/45ZR16 high-performance tires, 20 mm (0.79 in) H&R Track+ bolt-on wheel spacers in the rear and 15 mm (0.59 in) Sparco wheel spacers in the front.

[40] Introduced at the 2012 Leipzig Motor Show,[41] the MX-5 "Yusho" is a limited version of the MX-5 with a supercharged 2.0-liter MZR petrol engine featuring a supercharger kit by Flyin' Miata and Cosworth pistons as well as connecting rods rated at 241 PS (177 kW; 238 hp) and 274 N⋅m (202 lb⋅ft) at 5,450 rpm, top speed of 240 km/h (149 mph), individually designed muffler with large cross sections and centrally-positioned double tailpipes, 6-speed manual transmission with special sports clutch and shorter final drive ratio of 4.1, suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, larger stabilizer bars and lowering springs from Eibach Federn; 8Jx17 anthracite gray alloy wheels with Toyo semi-slick tires, matte-white film wrapping and white-foiled rear spoiler, rear diffuser in carbon fiber-optics and the dark wheels, suede-trimmed steering wheel, Recaro sport seats with leather and alcantara.

The Senshu MX-5 is a limited (200 unit) version of the MX-5 with a Retractable Hard Top, 2.0-liter MZR petrol engine, 6-speed manual transmission and sport-line equipment built for the German market.

It includes dark alloy wheels with 205/45R17 tires, a "racing stripe" Seitenfolierung, a black rear diffuser, sport exhaust tailpipes and a black bezel on the front grille, light-gray leather interior with embossed five-stage seat heating for driver and front passenger, accessory option include an iPod and USB adapter and lowering vehicle by 30 millimeters.

Its powered by a normally aspirated 2.0-liter Mazda petrol engine rated at 205 bhp (153 kW), and includes a manual transmission, adjustable suspension, carbon front splitter, a rear diffuser and boot spoiler, sports exhaust system with a central tailpipe, Recaro seats, road slicks tires and body-colored roll hoops behind the seats.

Common features included a diffuser-style rear sports bumper, larger-diameter sports exhaust, unique race car inspired exterior graphics, Black detailing around the front grille and front fog lights, plus unique 'Kuro Edition' badging, Stone and Black heated leather seats, Stone leather door inserts with contrasting red stitching, a silver interior deco panel with red accents, alloy pedals, premium floor mats with race inspired logo and climate control air conditioning.

[46] In July 2012,[47] for the 2013 model year, new features included using coordinated black and silver features to the respective soft-top and power retractable hardtop cars, front bumper has a bigger grille opening as well as a revised fog lamp design and new lip spoiler, a new luxury tan color interior option, implementing Active Bonnet for pedestrian protection, and weight reduction via re-designed front bumper, new 17-inch aluminum wheels and even with the internal wiring.

Colors for the new Club trim were limited to True Red, Brilliant Black, Crystal White Pearl, and Liquid Silver Metallic.

[47][48] Brodie Brittain Racing (BBR) of Brackley, England, is providing a limited edition run of 100 cars modified with an intercooled turbocharger, remapped ECU, and suspension upgrades.

[51] Based on the 2013 Sport Tech Roadster Coupe, it includes a modified, normally aspirated 2.0-liter Mazda petrol engine rated at 151 kW (203 bhp), remapped ECU, 6-speed manual transmission, adjustable lowered suspension, carbon fibre front splitter, carbon fibre rear diffuser, carbon fibre boot spoiler, sports exhaust system with twin central tailpipes, Brilliant Black A-Pillars, Roof Panels and Mirror Covers, Brilliant Black headlights, 17-inch Anthracite alloy wheels, "Jota" side decals, heated Recaro sport seats with leather and Alcantara, Brilliant Black roll-over bar covers, drilled aluminum pedals, "Jota" floor mats, and a unique identification plaque.

All cars are painted in an exclusive color, Soul Red Metallic, and feature Brilliant Black A-pillars, roof panels and mirror covers.

Other additions include 17-inch Dark Gunmetal alloy wheels, a rear diffuser, and chrome exhaust trim; each car also features a unique, limited edition numbered external badging.

Interior changes include Light Stone heated leather seats featuring embossed 25th anniversary logos in the headrests with contrasting red stitching.

Each car also has special 25th anniversary logo scuff plates on the door sills, a Dark Red hand painted decoration panel on the dash, Brilliant Black roll-over bar covers, and drilled aluminum pedals.

Jeremy Clarkson, in his "Driving" column of The Sunday Times, wrote that the MX-5 "represents better value for money than any other car on sale in Britain today."

"[60][61] Sam Philip of Top Gear magazine gave the car a score of seven out of 10, saying that "if it’s rear-drive retro you need, the Mazda would like to remind you it’s still got its groove on…"[62] Jack Baruth of Road & Track praised the value of late-model MX-5 NCs for their reliability and affordability compared to NA and NB models.