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:

• 

  Warning...This van sucks! - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By Cancer Patient - May 19 - 2:00 am

  This is the 1st vehicle I had to get rid of within a 2 yr. period. The heating system sucks - no even distribution, the gear is in the way of my radio & A/C, Very hard to remove any stains from carpet, Front cup holders are not secure - soda tips over all the time, CD plays when it wants to, loud engine when idling, no pick up, sulfur smell and the serv. dept. cant figure out the problem, 1 "old" mazda protege loaner vehicle in the entire dealership only for repairs beyond 48hrs. If you want some real service..purchase from Honda, Toyota, or Lexus where the service is A-1

• 

  Horrible Car - 2008 Mazda Tribute
  By chase11 - May 19 - 1:53 am

  I purchased a brand new 2008 Tribute a little over 2 years ago, in the past year I have had problem with faulty valve stems on 3 of the tires, peeling plastic and paint on the exterior, sealing problems with the doors and back window hatch, and just today the driver door almost completely came off! I had to lift the door up and push it in just to get it shut good enough to drive home. I have never had so many car troubles in my life until I bought a mazda. My advice...look elsewhere!

• 

  VVT Timing Chain Issue? - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By houstongfamily - May 8 - 6:24 pm

  I was driving my Mazda CX-7 on the highway at 65 mph when my car made a loud noise from the engine and had a loss in power. I towed the car to a Mazda dealer where the technician that inspected my car stated the timing chain was missing a pin and caused the engine to break. Therefore my engine needed to be replaced. I replaced my engine at 72K miles which is slightly over the 70K mile service notice that Mazda recently put out for reimbursement from repairs related to the VVT Timing Chain. I hired a lawyer to pursue reimbursement of my engine replacement cost and would like to know if there are more cases of engine failure or repairs around/above 70K miles due to the timing chain.

• 

  MAZDA6 Sedan Sport 4dr Sedan 2.3L 4cyl - 2007 Mazda Mazda6
  By dave408 - May 2 - 7:08 pm

  We baught a new Mazda 6 and at first had to replace the dash. (bubled up). Then had to get a new back seat. No one had ever set in it.Speakers had to be replaced a number of times. After a month we ran low on oil. The oil light never came on. It didnt show oil on the dip stick. No leaks. No sign of oil in the exhaust. Engine rattles when you start up. The oil light has never come on. The power stearing pump went out. My wife has the oil changed at a well known shop down town. Its always low on oil when she takes it in.My Mazda protege was a much better car.This car has been well taken care of but I think its junk. I will never buy another Mazda or Ford. Nor will any of my family members

• 

  this car sucks - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By rollo - April 21 - 2:00 am

  embarrasingly slow gas mileage stinks interior is noisy and poorly assembled needs a spare tire, maybe the worst car i have ever driven in the snow and i am on my sixth rear drive manual sports car

• 

  Worst car ever - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By killer - March 29 - 7:23 am

  3 years of problems, everything from AC compressor to turbo, Some things died at least twice (turbo). All kinds of noises, hesitation and pieces breaking left and right. Check engine light at least 2 times a month. Forget winter... You will get stuck in nominal snow. Tires went bald right away. Sun visors, trims, and other items broken lost or came off while driving. Terrible knocking noise from the fuel injectors while idle. Oil change is 2 hour nightmare. Gets under 15 MPH on HIGHWAY!!!! With premium gas. Check other forums, a lot of problems reported. Mazda dealers are not that friendly. Car came back from service with more problems than going in. Never buy mazda again.

• 

  BAD AC EXPERIANCE - 2003 Mazda Truck
  By J C - March 2 - 10:00 am

  (YEAR 2002 B2300) IVE HAD IT FOR A MONTH AND I AM TOTALLY DISGUSTED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE AC UNIT. IT THUMPS ON AND OFF ABOUT EVERY 06 SECONDS. IT JERKS THE ENGINE SO HARD IT FEELS LIKE I HIT A SMALL POTHOLE EVERY 50 FEET OR SO. NOT FUN AT ALL. IVE BEEN (VERY HAPPILY) DRIVING MAZDA TRUCKS AND CARS FOR 16 YEARS (2 TRUCKS 2 CARS MADE BY MAZDA, NOT FORD). THIS WILL BE MY LAST MAZDA. FORD HAS RUINED THEM.

• 

  Not Impressed - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By Jake Christensen - February 26 - 6:26 pm

  I have not been very happy with this car. It does not get the gas mileage the sticker on the window said it would and I feel it is very poorly built. I believe they used cheap products to built this car. Everything from the paint on the outside to the carpet on the inside. Dont get me wrong; I think it is a very stylish car and it is fun to drive. But I would not recommend it to anyone.

• 

  Zoom Zoom, then Break Down - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By Buy a Honda Instead - February 14 - 4:23 am

  At 24K, my Mazda3 needed a new bearing. The car is high strung like a German sports sedan, but lacks the quality engineering. Mazda is trying to build the poor mans BMW. They got the poor man part right. My 2006 Mazda replaced an 87 Honda Accord with 160K. Over 19 years, I had to replace the CV joints in the Honda and didnt have any other major problems. After 24K, the Mazda slipped a bearing. Here is another fun facts: In order to fit the "ZoomZoom" image, a supposed economy car requires V rated tires. My car ate up a set of Avon radials in 22K. Just be prepared to spend $600 plus on your tires.

• 

  Dont buy from company whose motto is "Cant guarantee how long this car will last". - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By la_fiera2000 - February 12 - 8:59 am

  I bought this car new in 2003 with a 50k warranty. I complained several times about misfiring after 1 month and dealer never found the trouble. At 55k miles the trouble was found to be the Throttle Body. I wrote to Mazda and they said "Sorry, but we cant guarantee how long parts will last after warranty." After that the right control arm broke twice(most of my driving is on the highway). Now, after 8 yrs of meticulous maintenance the compression valves gave out and will cost more to repair than the car is worth. I wrote to Mazda, and again their response was, "Sorry, but we can not guarantee how long our cars will last."