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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  zoom, zomm, zoom - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By NESSA709 - September 4 - 10:00 am

  NICE SUV TO DRIVE. NICE LOOKING ALSO

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  the convertible to drive - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By ticofl - September 4 - 10:00 am

  i had my miata for 2 years and i love it even more each time i drive it it does not have alot of power but with a couple of upgrades u can have a fun fast car i recomen this car to anyone that likes convertibles enjoy ZOOM ZOOM

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  mixed bag - 2002 Mazda Millenia
  By NN - September 3 - 3:36 pm

  Can be a great value as a used car, so definitely worth a look for the nice interior design & materials, smooth ride, and upscale, if somewhat generic, Japanese sedan look. However, poor interior packaging makes this somewhat large sedan small on the inside (uncomfortable to drive w/knees splayed out--Im 63"). Also, they have harsh shifting auto trannies with poor reliability, and other reliability issues as well. 170hp base engine is pretty weak. Fuel economy for a sedan is only 23mpg mixed city/hwy, and worst of all, requires premium fuel! If the tranny was smooth, there was another few inches of driver legroom, and my check engine light would turn off...then Id probably love it!

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  Zoom Zoom Zoom - 2009 Mazda RX-8
  By MDM - August 29 - 6:46 pm

  This is my third Mazda Rotary vehicle (following a 1988 RX-7 GXL, and a 1994 3rd Gen RX-7), and I have to say I am pretty happy with it. I hadnt planned on getting another car, but my 15 year old 3rd gen RX-7 was totaled almost a month ago :-(, And I KNEW the "8" couldnt match the 3rd gens stellar performance since the "8" is 300-400 pounds heavier, about 110 less horsepower (Id had some things done to my 3rd gen) and doesnt benefit from the 3rd gens 50-some-odd better low end torque (compliments of that sequential twin turbo setup). But I knew these things off the bat. But the one thing thats still the same is the razor sharp cornering ability! And the smoothness of the rotary.

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  We liked it sooo much, that - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By Sha - August 29 - 2:00 am

  We bought a new Tribute in Sept 2003 and liked it so much that I traded in my Mazda Miata for our second Tribute. They are great multi purpose vehicles that arent perfect, but do a nice all around job, both on the highway and city type driving.Hi what do you expect for 25K? We are very pleased with these vehicles at this point and would recommend one to friends.

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  Well its pretty - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Jonathan heeps - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Erratic shifting with the automatic...

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  WORTH STATING AGAIN DO NOT BUY TECH PKG!! - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By ktsb11 - August 26 - 4:23 am

  I did do some research and was aware the Infotainment system was a tad glitchy before I bought my car but its way beyond that. It is exactly as someone else said...ipod use has stopped completely even WITH the 3 minute time to start a song and the starting over each time you turn on the car. Bluetooth is beyond frustrating...it seems to think Im speaking a foreign language. And Ive had to reset the bluetooth twice. Ive had the car one month. I drive a lot and need my music. Im so disappointed Mazda has let this go on.

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  Hereditary transmission problems - 2002 Mazda Truck
  By Cookieman - August 26 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle was a delight to take in the rough, even though it was two-wheel drive, I could take it anywhere. It had a good ground clearance, and low rev torque. Its downside is its transmission. The Ranger series has always had problems with the transmission and when I bought this Mazda I thought they had cleared that problem. Not so. After 7K miles, it began to have trouble shifting in and out of second. It got to the point that I had to skip the gear. After the replacement if immediately took care of second but fourth was now the troublemaker.

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  Great at first, now problems - 2008 Mazda Tribute
  By Disappointed - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Buyer beware. There is a problem with this vehicle and gas pedal getting stuck. If you go to the NHTSA website, you will find 9 complaints on gas pedal getting stuck. I submitted mine today, making it 10. It gets stuck in deceleration position, but going 60+mph, this is very dangerous. Once gas pedal gives, the SUV jerks forward. I drive this car a lot for business. I bought it in Nov. 2007. I have driven 68,000 miles on it. Radio stopped working, a short circuit. Had to buy aftermarket since Mazda charges $800 plus installation for stock. Battery had changed at 65,000 miles. I find it very comfortable for my 6/7 hour trips, but the gas pedal getting stuck has scared me.

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  Very noisy & bumpy ride - 2010 Mazda Mazda5
  By JANIE - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is without a doubt the most noisy and bumpy ride that Ive ever owned. Just going over a manhole cover can be a teeth-rattling experience. Im taking it to the dealership this week to have that problem checked out. Very poor suspension? Bad tires? I certainly dont know, but hope that they can do something about it. After driving a Mazda MPV for 8 years, I really miss the cargo space. When I first looked at the M5, I thought that it seemed rather less than the MPV, so asked the salesman how the cargo space compared with the MPV. His reply was, "Its the same". What a lie that turned out to be. Nearly impossible to get my bike into the back - even with 2nd row down.