LC 500 vs MX-5 Miata
For sports car shoppers, the LC 500 from Lexus and the MX-5 Miata from Mazda are two of the obvious candidates. There is a favorite. The LC 500 beats the MX-5 Miata in 2 of 4 areas, and engine & performance is its biggest advantage.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance LC 500 wins
- Fuel Economy & Range MX-5 Miata wins
- Space & Practicality LC 500 wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance5.6
- Fuel Economy & Range0.0
- Space & Practicality3.1
- Engine & Performance0.0
- Fuel Economy & Range6.4
- Space & Practicality0.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The LC 500 has 290 hp more power
The LC 500’s 471 hp leaves the MX-5 Miata’s 181 hp well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
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The MX-5 Miata has better fuel economy
Not a close call. The MX-5 Miata lists 29 mpg and the LC 500 lists 18 mpg. That’s a substantial gap. The MX-5 Miata uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
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The LC 500 has room for 4 seats
Among all the differences on this page, 4 seats against 2 seats is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the LC 500. Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there.
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The LC 500 has 18% more cargo space
The MX-5 Miata gives up a lot on cargo (behind rear seats): 4.6 cu ft, compared with 5.4 cu ft on the LC 500. Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
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The LC 500 has 247 lb-ft more torque
Few buyers will miss this one. The LC 500 brings 398 lb-ft to the table; the MX-5 Miata brings 151 lb-ft. The LC 500’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | LC 500 | MX-5 Miata |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 187.4 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 75.6 in | 68.3 in |
| Height | 53 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 113 in | 90.9 in |
Engine & Performance
LC 500 leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the LC 500 leads the engine & performance section with room to spare. The LC 500 adds 290 hp more power. The LC 500’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed. For engine & performance, the LC 500 is the one to beat.
Total system output
LC 500: 471 hp MX-5 Miata: 181 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Torque
LC 500: 398 lb-ft MX-5 Miata: 151 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Fuel Economy & Range
MX-5 Miata leads
This is one of the MX-5 Miata’s strongest areas. On fuel economy & range, the LC 500 falls well short. The MX-5 Miata comes with better fuel economy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold. For anyone who cares most about fuel economy & range, the MX-5 Miata is the safer choice.
Fuel economy (combined)
LC 500: 18 mpg MX-5 Miata: 29 mpg Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
Fuel economy (city)
LC 500: 16 mpg MX-5 Miata: 26 mpg Hybrids often shine in the city, and the MX-5 Miata has the better rating here.
Space & Practicality
LC 500 leads
The space & practicality comparison is one-sided. The LC 500 leads where it counts. On its side, the LC 500 has room for 4 seats. Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car. Bottom line for space & practicality: the LC 500 has the edge.
Seats
LC 500: 4 seats MX-5 Miata: 2 seats The LC 500 has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
LC 500: 5.4 cu ft MX-5 Miata: 4.6 cu ft Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
In the off-road & towing category, the LC 500 and the MX-5 Miata land in almost the same place. The off-road & towing verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Safety & Tech
In the safety & tech section, the key entries are names rather than numbers, so compare what the LC 500 and the MX-5 Miata list in the table below.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | LC 500 | MX-5 Miata |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 5.0L V8 | 2.0L I4 |
| Total system output | 471 hp (winner) | 181 hp Least powerful in class |
| Torque | 398 lb-ft (winner) | 151 lb-ft Least torque in class |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | LC 500 | MX-5 Miata |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 18 mpg Thirstiest in class | 29 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 16 mpg | 26 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 24 mpg | 34 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel tank | 21.7 gal | 11.9 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | LC 500 | MX-5 Miata |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 seats (winner) | 2 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 5.4 cu ft (winner) | 4.6 cu ft Smallest cargo area |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | LC 500 | MX-5 Miata |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | No | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | LC 500 | MX-5 Miata |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 12.3 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Driver-assist suite | N/A (not specified) | Mazda i-Activsense |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | LC 500 | MX-5 Miata |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 187.4 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 75.6 in | 68.3 in |
| Height | 53 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 113 in | 90.9 in |
Price
| Spec | LC 500 | MX-5 Miata |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $101,850 Priciest in class | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the LC 500 if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (471 hp vs 181 hp)
- you regularly carry extra passengers (4 seats vs 2 seats)
- you want more cargo space behind the rear seats (5.4 cu ft vs 4.6 cu ft)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (398 lb-ft vs 151 lb-ft of torque)
Choose the MX-5 Miata if…
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (29 mpg vs 18 mpg combined)
- you want better city fuel economy (26 mpg vs 16 mpg)
- you want better highway fuel economy (34 mpg vs 24 mpg)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the LC 500 or the MX-5 Miata?
We’d point most buyers to the LC 500. The main exception is if having better fuel economy matters more to you than the rest.
Executive Summary
I read both spec sheets (the LC 500’s and the MX-5 Miata’s) so you don’t have to. To me, the standout is that the LC 500 offers 290 hp more power. Stack room for 4 seats on top of that, and the LC 500’s lead grows. I’ll admit the MX-5 Miata has a point with better fuel economy.
The LC 500 makes sense for anyone who values engine & performance; the MX-5 Miata for anyone who values fuel economy & range.
My pick: the LC 500 gets my vote, but the MX-5 Miata is the right call if you’d rather have better fuel economy on the MX-5 Miata.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.