Last month, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) announced that the fourth-generation 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata was named the 2016 World Car of the Year! It is the second Mazda model to earn the award, with the 2008 Mazda2 winning eight years ago. Keep reading to find out more!

The fourth-generation 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the sixth model in the Mazda brand’s new-generation lineup of vehicles that features the full range of the Mazda brand’s SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and its KODO—Soul of Motion design language. Launched last year, the new generation has earned rave reviews from Mazda drivers for its reduced curb weight, human-centered features, and fun-to-drive feel. It has won over 30 awards over the last year. Masahiro Moro, President and CEO, MNAO, and Managing Executive Officer, Mazda Motor Corporation, had this to say about the award:

What a wonderful honor, to have the Mazda MX-5 named World Car of the Year. As our iconic MX-5 roadster approaches one-million units of production, this award is proof that it is as young, vibrant, fun and relevant as ever. While I accept this award on behalf of the company, I do so representing every Mazda employee, retail partner and customer around the world who has ever felt the joy of driving a pure roadster. We say ‘Driving Matters’ in our advertising, and we prove it in our cars.

The World Car of the Year Award was established back in 2004 by a group of international automotive journalists. The judging panel for the 2016 award consisted of 73 journalist from 23 different countries. To find out more about the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata and our entire lineup of new Mazda inventory, head on down to your Mazda dealers serving Freehold, Lester Glenn Mazda, to speak to a member of our team today!