Mazda MX-5 Miata Owners Drive Less Than All Other Car Enthusiasts

Though the Mazda MX-5 Miata is celebrated as one of the ultimate driver’s cars, its owners surprisingly don’t spend much time on the road. A recent analysis by vehicle data firm iSeeCars reveals that Miata drivers average just 5,073 miles annually roughly 41% of the typical mileage for gasoline-powered vehicles nationwide.

These findings specifically apply to the Miata roadster. The Miata RF, featuring its all-weather retractable hardtop, performed slightly better, averaging 5,375 miles driven annually.

The study analyzed data from more than one million three-year-old vehicles sold between November 2024 and April 2025. It focused solely on mainstream brands, excluding exotic cars like Ferraris, which are known for their infrequent use.

Perhaps There’s a Reason

It’s important to note that Miatas are frequently used as secondary vehicles, typically reserved for weekend drives or fair weather rather than daily commuting. This likely accounts for their lower mileage, especially when compared to cars that see heavier, everyday use.

Topping the list of most-driven vehicles is the Chrysler Pacifica, which averages 20,882 miles per year — about 1.7 times the national average for gasoline-powered cars. As a family-oriented minivan often serving as the primary or only vehicle for many households, its high mileage comes as no surprise. Close behind, Chrysler’s Voyager and Pacifica Hybrid take the second and third spots, logging average annual mileages of 19,948 and 19,575 miles, respectively.

A notable surprise is the Ford Mustang Convertible, which ranks seventh among the most-driven vehicles, with owners averaging 17,660 miles annually. It stands out as the only sporty or enthusiast car amidst a lineup dominated by minivans and SUVs. This could be influenced by the Mustang Convertible’s popularity as a rental car, which likely boosts its mileage figures. In contrast, the Mustang Coupe—less commonly found in rental fleets—ranks as the eighth least-driven vehicle, averaging just 7,142 miles per year.

Many EVs Appear Among the Least-Driven Cars

Another unexpected finding is the large presence of electric vehicles among the least-driven cars, likely because many owners use EVs as secondary rather than primary vehicles. Notably, the GMC Hummer EV ranks as the second least-driven vehicle, with owners averaging just 5,205 miles per year.

The GMC Hummer EV’s position as the second least-driven vehicle isn’t too surprising, given its large size and limited practicality in urban settings, among other factors. Meanwhile, two other electric utilities—the Ford F-150 Lightning and Volkswagen ID.4 rank eighth and twelfth on the list, with average annual mileages of 7,877 and 8,053 miles respectively, highlighting that many EV owners tend to drive fewer miles overall.

Why Hybrids Come Out on Top

Although traditional gas-powered cars still make up the majority of vehicles on the road, hybrids are the ones clocking the highest annual mileage. According to the study, hybrid drivers average 12,924 miles per year, likely boosted by their widespread use in taxi and ride-hailing services like Uber. Gasoline vehicles follow closely with an average of 12,355 miles annually, trailed by plug-in hybrids at 11,614 miles, and electric vehicles at the lower end with 10,686 miles per year.