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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  Complete garbage - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By efwilson4 - December 2 - 5:13 pm

  I bought this car and saw where Mazda of North America warrantied the engine until 100,000. Well they lied. Mazda admitted to utilizing a loop hole to deny engine replacement. This car is garbage and Mazda will do anything but stand behind it. They charged me $1,100 dollars to replace coils, wires, plugs, decarbon the engine before saying I needed a new engine. The car runs worse than when I took it in. This my 4th rotary car and my last. I recommend something else. DO NOT BUY! Just search warm start or low compression.

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  rough and not ready - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By beejka - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Forget this car on long trips if you need lumbar support, it is very rough on the back! When you want to pass quick in traffic, the automatic is not too responsive with a quick burst of power. I got the sport automatic with the ability to "autoshift" through the gears, but that doesnt help much. The car also rides very rough on concrete expressways. It runs much smoother on asphalt expressways.

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  "Maybe this is just a bad one" - 1999 Mazda Protege
  By Ryan - November 18 - 3:03 am

  This car has been nothing but problems. Bad brakes, transmission, spark plug, speakers, and etc. It is the slowest car on the road! It also handles bad and shakes at high speeds.

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  Pretty Average - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By scottksu - November 12 - 11:04 pm

  Car looks great and handles well, but... The 2.0, 4 cylinder is low on power. I expected a bit more zip for a small car with almost 150 HP. Gas mileage below avg. for a car this size. Only get a few mpg more than my Toyota Camry V-6. Handles great, but ride suffers. If you like to feel every bump in the road, you will love this car. Replacing the OEM tires helps, especially with road noise. Interior design is nice, but materials are of average quality, which I expect for a car in this category. Developed a few noises & small intermittent rattles not long after purchase. Some I remedied, the dealer fixed one, some remain. A/C is weak & must keep on high during days over 90

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  Decent Car that needs tweaking - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By ptben - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Theres a factory defect in the way a front knuckle was put in in the steering column. took several attempts to finally get the dealership to fix it. Good little car. Its just be in the shop for a new catalytic converter, new starter, new fly wheel, wears brakes quickly even though we drive very conservatively.

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  Zoom Zoom Ping Knock Clunk - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By Stuart Summers - October 29 - 12:36 pm

  Poor performance and reliability. New 6 speed constantly needs to be recalibrated. Ticking noise from valves requires valves to be retorqued. Throttle assembly went out, and now there is a knocking noise coming from the engine between 700 and 1200 rpm. Not a purge control solenoid as told by dealer and manufacturer. Let the buyer beware.

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  We Traded it in! - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By philpiv - October 26 - 1:13 am

  We Traded in our 2007 Madza CX7 GT AWD with 9500 miles on it today. We were sick of the premium gas and the absolutely horrid gas mileage 10-13 mpg around town. We brought it to the dealer 3 times to check the mileage problems and they claimed there was no problem. The car was fun to drive but made us sick when filling up.

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  What a piece of junk - 1998 Mazda 626
  By Jami - October 23 - 2:30 pm

  I bought my 1998 Mazda 626LX before I knew what a piece of crap it really is. These cars have the worst transmissions around. It was replaced once and rebuilt once already since I have had it and it is going out again! Mazda needs to do a recall! I found out that the transmission put into the 94-2002 was not good and has a habit of going out not just once but several times. This needs to be fixed.

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  Rattle Trap - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By PilotGM - October 9 - 11:26 am

  Have driven car approx. 2000 miles, vehicle has more squeaks and rattles than my sons 03 Hyundai, very poor quality. I have purchased 3 Mazdas since 12/04 and this one is terrible. Considered trading it back in after a month but would lose $10k after putting $15k down. Will not deal with Mazda or dealer who I have purchased my last 3 cars again. Have always had great luck with Mazda but not this time.

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  Okay - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Rico - October 5 - 6:56 pm

  Had one for 1 1/2 years. Really liked it at first. Then noted loss of stable feeling when driving. Drove a lot, had 37,000 and the rear shocks were really shot after 17,000. Very bad in the snow, front tires just spin. Had to get snow tires then it was okay. So factory tires were bad after 20k. So thats two sets of tires after the first year. Overall we got sick of the thing. Gas mileage was not very good. It is low to the ground which makes it look nice but watch it when parking into a stall, you will hit some curbs. Anyhow, with the bad suspension and all I got rid of it for a Mazda6, wow what a difference. Like night and day. Got the 4cyl 2010 and it does get more than 30 mpg. Dont get a 5