Overview & Reviews

There are affordable cars, and then there are cars that offer thrilling performance. Rarely do the two ever converge, but Japanese automaker Mazda has made it a tradition of coming up with vehicles that combine both of these eminently desirable traits.

The Toyo Cork Kogyo Company, founded in 1920 in Hiroshima, Japan, used the name "Mazda" for its first three-wheeled truck, built in 1931. Company founder Jujiro Matsuda chose the word "Mazda" because it was the name of the Zoroastrian god of good and light. Work on a small sedan began in the late 1930s, but development was halted so the company could pitch in with Japan's war effort. In the wake of World War II and the rebuilding that followed, the company refocused its efforts on car development and manufacturing.

By 1960, the first Mazda automobile -- the R360 coupe -- was developed, and the company's foray into the production of passenger vehicles began in full force. Other landmark developments were soon to follow. In 1961, the company entered into a technical partnership with NSU and Wankel to develop and produce rotary engines, a union that led to Mazda's distinguishing itself as the only manufacturer to offer three engine configurations: conventional gasoline piston, diesel and rotary. The '60s also saw the introduction of the company's first pickup, the B-Series 1500, as well as its first rotary-engine vehicle, the 110S Cosmo Sport.

Mazda began selling cars in the U.S. in 1970. In the early part of the decade, the automaker rolled out the RX-2. Powered by the noted 12A rotary, the RX-2 introduced America to Mazda's effort to build cars that were affordable and fun to drive. The decade also saw the introduction of the RX-3, RX-4 and now iconic rotary-powered RX-7 sports car. In 1979, Ford Motor Company purchased a 25 percent stake in Mazda after the Japanese company encountered a number of financial difficulties.

The 1980s was a decade of rebirth for Mazda. The company officially took on the Mazda name (though all its vehicles since its launch in the '20s have carried that brand). It also witnessed an upswing in sales sparked by successful new products like the 323 (which was first called the GLC in the American market) and 626. The 1990 model year saw the launch of a car that would prove a huge hit for Mazda: the MX-5 Miata. Lauded for its ultra-responsive handling and affordability, the drop top has been a consistent favorite, and now holds the distinction of being the world's best-selling roadster.

Mazda began the 1990s with a bang by winning Le Mans with the 787B; it was the first time a Japanese automaker had won the prestigious race, and marked the only win for a rotary engine. Vehicles like the RX-7 and MX-5 Miata scored kudos from automotive journalists, and landed on many top 10 lists. However, save for the Miata, the company's vehicles experienced declining sales in the U.S., and the company's fortunes suffered as a result.

The new millennium has seen Mazda regain its stride, as the automaker has invested in new development. Models like the Mazda 2 and CX-9 have broadened the lineup and won over a whole new generation of fans, while the enthusiast-oriented RX-8 and Mazdaspeed performance models have exemplified the company's spirited philosophy. Most recently, Mazda has focused on designing its cars to be as fuel-efficient as possible while also still being fun to drive and affordable to own.

User Reviews:

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  Toy car - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By Weds hobbi - June 25 - 12:09 am

  This car is not reliable.if is start having a problem don't waste your time money fixing..after one problem comes another problem.after 187.000 mile time for junk yard.

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  MAZDA CX7 RIP OFF - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By yopauly - November 2 - 8:09 am

  Purchased brand new by my wife (46 years old). 50 thousand miles. list of repairs ;3 batteries not covered, four sets of tires first set lasted 8000 miles, 2 different wheel bearings first one covered second one was 460.00, sub freezing weather will not disengage from park. Now the big one, labor day weekend motor blew on busy 2 lane country road my wife and son were almost killed trying to steer to the side of the road. Timing chain broke damaging the head 3200 dollars for repair. MAZDA NOT COVERING. They built a TURD and are not standing behind their product. Anyone wishing to start a class action law suit please include us

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  STAY AWAY FAR AWAY - 1998 Mazda 626
  By lsas - February 13 - 2:00 am

  THE TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR IS A PIECE OF CRAP. MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 80,000 MILES AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FIVE TIMES SINCE HAVING IT FIXED (THE FIRST TIME IN DECEMBER 2001). IT IS NOW JANUARY 2003 AND GUESS WHAT MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWO WEEKS GOING ON THREE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT FOR THE FIFTH TIME.

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  cx-7 lemon - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By ralphculver - November 22 - 10:20 pm

  The CX-7 is a beautiful and enticing car, especially with all the zoom zoom hipe by Mazda. We have owned the car for over 5 years and have had a series of problems each year. Recently they sent a letter indicating the Air Conditioning compressor might freeze up and need to be replaced. They extended the coverage to 5 years. We had no issue of this failure but delt with tons of other issues. Today the car stopped and left me stranded. The compressor did freeze and the result also ripped out the serpintine belt. I am done with this car and dealing with Mazda, as they said too bad your out of warranty. They knew this was defective and put us in a dangerous position. Shame on MAZDA. DONT BUY 1.

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  Avoid if you need tech pkg or visibility - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By AR - September 26 - 8:46 pm

  Bought a new 2013 Maxda CX 5 touring with navigation a couple of years ago. Cute car and comfortable but absolutely no power, navigation system never worked right, couldnt load my full address book (just over 1000 contacts) but you cant add new individually either so that was a complete waste. They blamed my iPhone. BS. I had the most current technology for both car and iPhone. Bose speakers only work if you are listening to CD. Otherwise all music comes mainly through center speaker in dashboard so everything sounds distorted. Again, they blamed the source (Sirius XM). I was able to survive unhappily with those features but the absolute zero visibility became impossible and too scary for me. Backup camera was great tho. Finally decided to cut my losses and get my sanity and happiness back and ditched the car for the 2016 Subaru Forester. The tech and backup camera in the redesign make the 2016 amazing. Love!!!! Best decision Ive made. Just wish it didnt have to be one of those bad life experiences where you lose thousands to learn your lesson. But avoid this car unless you are already a huge Mazda fan. At 52" I also couldnt clean the windshield because I was too short and there is a weird distortion in the window glass when sun hits it. Also, feel the edges of the steering wheel underneath. I sliced up my fingers on m a long road trip and Mazda had to file down the plastic. They checked and all of their steering wheels for the CX5 were like that. Huge flaw!!!!!!!

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  Expensive car to own - 2007 Mazda CX-9
  By Javier Garcia - June 30 - 1:49 am

  I bought this car used in 2008 one year after manufacturing. The performance of this car was poor. It was extremely expensive to own since most repairs were extreme and expensive. This will be my last MAZDA. I will not buy another MAZDA as long as FORD is part owner. I have own other Japanese cars and had not problems. I love to keep my cars for at least 10 years. I had hondas, BMW, Mercedes benz, and Isuzzo Trooper and never had as many problems as I had with the MAZDA. I invested about about 50% of the original speaker price in the 7 years I have own the car. I am trying to make it last another 3 years. But I do not think MAZDA can not last.

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  Never again-Mazda worst company ever - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By annoyed - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Bought the CX7 used at 36k miles, had a car fax run with no previous damage. Now it has 54k miles and is sitting in the driveway because the engine AND turbo are shot. Although I have every maintenance record possible, warranty wont cover it because they claim it was not maintained but I have EVERY record! Car is only worth maybe $12k now and the damage is $9K. It has been inoperable for over 6 months and will stay that way as I have had to hire an attorney. Mazda North American you have made a terrible car. Stop screwing over consumers and deal with this recurring issue. Do not buy this car. Im warning each and every person reading this.

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  Bad idea just saying - 2010 Mazda CX-7
  By Amber - February 29 - 3:52 am

  I bought one that has 80,000 sounds great right. Nope 6 months after having it turbo charger went out. Cost a pretty penny. Then because i drove on it to far the whole engine needed replaced. After 3 months in the shop i finally got my car back. Now when i drive the wheel alignment? sounds annoying. And makes werid jurk pulls while accelerating. I love this car but the problems that it comes with is disappointing. Wish you any luck with this car.

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  Buy it if you dont mind replace tires every 2kmi - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By fea1 - February 12 - 9:14 am

  Mazda5 has the serious design flaw of its suspension system. So be ready to get a new set of tires every 2kmi and frequent suspension repairing works including new shocks and wheels.

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  STAY AWAY! - 2012 Mazda CX-9
  By esso - August 4 - 7:20 pm

  I would never buy another Mazda again. After a month the driver seat started making squeaking noise. Try to schedule an appointment with Mazda dealership, the hell freeze sooner than youll get an appointment. Everyone is rude, unprofessional. I even contacted Mazda Corporate and did not get anywhere. As of this time I am planning to sell the car and buy something American. Horrible car company, horrible customer support. What good is their warranty, when you cannot get any help. The only thing what you get from Mazda is a LEMON. I have tied a bag of lemons to my car and I am driving around our town like that, to let everyone know not to buy one.