An iSeeCars study has found that the Mazda MX-5 Miata is among the cars with the lowest annual mileage in America
While the Mazda MX-5 Miata is often considered a practical sports car suitable for daily use, a recent study by iSeeCars.com reveals that its owners drive it significantly less than the average vehicle.
The study, which analyzed odometer readings from over a million three-year-old used cars sold between November 2024 and April 2025, found that the average car is driven 12,307 miles annually. In contrast, the MX-5 Miata accumulated only 5,073 miles per year, making it the least-driven vehicle in the analysis.
The GMC Hummer EV followed as the second least-driven at 5,205 miles per year, with the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF (the retractable fastback version) coming in third at 5,375 miles annually.
The top 10 list of least-driven cars also included several electric vehicles, such as the Mini Hardtop (2 Door EV), Mazda MX-30 EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Volkswagen ID.4. iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer attributed the lower mileage of these utility EVs to range limitations, stating that “their electric drivetrains appear to limit their annual miles.”
The study suggests that the Miata’s low mileage is likely due to its common use as a second or third vehicle, primarily for weekend excursions rather than daily commuting, especially in unfavorable weather. It’s also noted that if the study had included rare or exotic cars, they would likely dominate the list of least-driven vehicles.
Conversely, the most-driven cars in America are predominantly utilitarian vehicles like minivans and large SUVs, such as the Chrysler Pacifica and Chevrolet Suburban, designed for transporting people or cargo. Cars like the Chevy Malibu and Ford Mustang Convertible also feature on this list, which Brauer attributes to their extensive use in rental fleets.
