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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  Connie of Long Island, NY - 2005 Mazda MPV
  By concrabby - June 5 - 7:06 am

  AT FIRST I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF MY MPV. IT STALLED ALOT AND FELT LIKE I WAS ON A BUCKING HORSE EVERY TIME IT CHANGED GEARS. SADLY, I LATER RECEIVED TWO RECALLS ON IT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND ITS BEEN GREAT SINCE.

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  Still Lovin It! - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By mubutterfly - June 4 - 11:43 pm

  Ive had my 3i fully loaded for almost a year now. I still love it! So much fun to drive, around town or on long trips its done well. Performs great in the Arizona heat as well, AC cools down quickly, though it could get colder a little faster. Accelerates great on freeways, perfect for speeding around the snowbirds. Overall I have no complaints about the car. Maintenance experience has been great with the dealership, and had no problems to take it in for.

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  More bang for your buck - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Jamie - June 4 - 11:33 am

  Sold my 99 Volkswagen Jetta because it was terrible and upgraded to the 2010 Mazda 3...I car shopped for a while and the ratings for the mazda 3 were better than honda and toyota..I loved the new body style and felt it looked very professional and classy...comparing it to the look of other 2009 and 2010 cars out there..this car is on top! Both inside and out look way better than any other car out there...way more modern. I would highly recommend this car for anyone..Im a college commuter and despite other reviews I get 26 mpg which I dont think is that far off from competitors and for the look of the car its worth the couple mpg difference

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  Mazda 3s hatchback hard to beat - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Bob Lenburg - June 3 - 6:23 pm

  The handling is terrific, fun to drive, gets reasonable mileage even with the 2.3 s model, very comfortable and the interior space and quality exceeded my expectations. The larger brakes on the s model stop the car in such short distances that I have to re-adjust my following distance when driving my other vehicle. For the money, this car is a well kept secret. I had a 2001 Miata which was great fun to drive, but had inherent safety issues of a convertible. The Mazda 3s is nearly as much fun to drive (actually, accelerates quicker) and can be driven year-round. If BMW made this exact car their new entry level vehicle they could not make enough of them at $27K price.

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  First luxury car I ever bought - 2000 Mazda Millenia
  By hussain - June 3 - 2:00 am

  and the real taste of a quiet and comfortable ride. The car does deliver excellent passing ability on the highway as it is very well powered. The traction control really makes a difference climbing up icy driveways...better than my 540i!

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  Over-rated - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By acemanace - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Not a good car for any city driving: - Idle drops off dramatically during in- gear decelleration below 3k rpm, creating lurching. - Weak motor/transmission mounts create drive train bucking during street and stop/go driving. - Computer rpms are way too low (600 at idle) causing frequent stalls when starting up from stop lights or stop sign. - Rear suspension soft, causing front wheel to loose contact and traction during mild acceleration on damp roads. - Heater is poor. - Dealers have no solutions for these - Thanks to the "zoom-zoom" ads, logged as sports car by auto insurers (it aint), so very expensive to insure.

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  Look around, then come here! - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By GreyFox - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Did a lot of looking around for a 4- door car with a manual and sunroof being my base criteria. Had a 98 Mercury Mystique which I consider to be a fine automobile. Mazda has this market all figured out. Awesome styling, amazing handling, and great options...this is a winner. Get the 5- speed, its impressive. Also, get the 15" wheels...theyll set you apart!

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  Best Minivan Ever - 2007 Mazda CX-9
  By sranger - June 2 - 4:16 am

  I got the AWD Grand Touring model and love the way it rides, drives and stops. I must have driven every other SUV/CUV on the market and this was my winner hands down. The Lincoln MKX was my second pick, but too expensive and it had poor braking ability. The interior is nicer than most 50K+ vehicles. The Bose sound system is excellent. Heating/cooling works great. Love the sun roof. Towing package seems to work well.

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  Im addicted to this car. - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By MarkInKC - June 2 - 12:50 am

  Bought new, last years model. Its the car Ive always wanted. I drive it hard; I cant help it. I like the acceleration and the cornering (I read it corners at 9.1Gs). On a day when the temperature is in the 70s, with the top down, it feels *unbelievably* good.

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  Mazda6 V6 replaces Altima - 2009 Mazda Mazda6
  By Aaron R - June 1 - 1:46 pm

  A little over a year ago I purchased a new Nissan Altima. It was close to a strip model and I was never really satisfied with the car. Checked out the Mazda6 with the 4 cylinder and thought it was a nicely appointed car but the power was not what I expected. The dealer pulled around a Touring S model with the V6. Wow what a difference, I was sold as soon as I hit the acceleration. I got a great deal since they were having huge rebates and $1000 buyer loyalty credit. (Also own a 2007 CX7) I had an 07 IS250 and this car is almost identical in looks and features in my opinion.