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:

• 

  1 Year plus--and lots to like - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By L.A. JAFO - May 16 - 12:23 pm

  My wife drives this car around town, but I made sure we took it on some real road trips to make sure it was solid. Am I impressed...you bet! On a 455 mile trip from LA to the Salton Sea and back through Palm Springs in 114 degree heat with the A/C on max it still did 29.2 MPG. On a 700 mile trip to Northern California using highways 101 and 1 we did 33.2 MPG. Power is very good. Handling is solid; it responds like a BMW or an Acura and when you turn the wheel, you move RIGHT NOW, no slop or lag at all. Interior space is good, and even at 65 I have both head and leg room thanks to the telescoping steering wheel. Trunk space is very good for big suitcases (2 of them!) or lots of groceries.

• 

  Way to go Mazda 5 - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By PF - May 15 - 11:50 pm

  We have two kids and a very large dog and we all fit comfortably in the 5. We downsized from a Sienna and we love the car. I suggest getting a standard 5 speed. Very very zippy and a blast to drive. The power even though it is a 4 cylinder is no problem with a stick. Weve been getting 28 mpg with standard transmission.

• 

  Extemely reliable and fun to drive - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Hugo Munoz - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I cannot say anything bad about this car. bought with 9000 and have changed brakes this year. Engine, Transmission,clutch etc. are all working strong. Perfect car for anyone. ONLY defects are headlight bulb = $25, air filter hose = $90. Other than that car is completely perfect.

• 

  Rust Problems - 2005 Mazda MPV
  By mazda owner - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I decided to sell my MPV just 5 years after I bought it because it was rusting so badly at the base of both the passenger and driver doors as well as on all 4 wheel wells. In this day and age you dont expect a vehicle to rust before its even 10 years old and this car began rusting when it was just 3 years old. When I brought the problem up to Mazda they were only willing to go by the book: The rust warranty only kicks in when the rust has perforated the metal. Well its perforated now--now that the warranty has expired. Between fixing the rust and some other scheduled maintenance I was going to be spending more on the car than it was worth. So I cut my losses and sold the car.

• 

  CX-7- a really nice garage ornament ! - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By fliar - May 15 - 10:00 am

  You will LOVE this car- right up until it becomes a garage ornament! This car has GREAT styling and performance UNTIL you start having known issues with it- 1. the A/C compressors are known to fail/smoke/catch fire 2. the timing chains are known to break in even LOW MILEAGE cars and trash the engine 3. poor turbo cooling design leads to sludge buildup and failure. Numerous owner reports in Mazda forums of MAZDA NOT honoring the 5 year/ 60,000 mile Powertrain Warranty to repair the trashed motors citing "poor owner maintenance" even when owners present valid oil change receipts, etc. Overall, the nicest car you are ever going to HATE! Avoid this engineering nightmare!

• 

  Excellent Value - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By excellent value - May 15 - 5:10 am

  My Mazda 3 was actually the last car on my list to test drive. I rejected the Mini S, Camry, Accord, Mitsus, Dodge, Ford, Audi 4, and Volvo, all for various issues and reasons. The 3 was a delight to drive from the moment I turned the key. Sport suspension, quick turn-in, super brakes, smooth engine and powertrain, quality build throughout. Whats not to love? The copper-red paint and pleasantly good looks bring many compliments. As can be expected for sport sedans, the ride can feel noticeably taut over tar strips and rough roads, but it never loses its composure, inspiring confidence in even the most timid drivers. The engine comes on strongest while manually shifting the slick automatic near 4000 rpm.

• 

  Great Car For Anyone - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Tony - May 14 - 3:10 am

  I have had this car for 4 months, and it has been great. Reliable, quick, economical, and good looking. What more can you ask for?

• 

  Best Buy All Purpose Vehicle - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By azfamily - May 14 - 12:03 am

  One week after the purchase we had to turn our Mazda5 back to the dealer for the exhaust system recall. We have to say that Mazda handled it all very well. The vehicle is so correct in concept, design and timing that we could not resist it once we had driven it. We are car people and have owned many, many cars through the years. This one is the most versatile, useful, fun to drive package available. We have not experienced any power problems even loaded with 6 adults plus luggage. Family or not, this is one of the best buys out there.

• 

  Oh my gosh! - 2011 Mazda Mazda2
  By tsarheld1 - May 13 - 11:07 am

  I purchased this car nearly 2 weeks ago and I love it. Have burned though 2 tanks of gas...had an emergency in the family out of town....but on tank was around town and I got 33.28mpg and the second tank was all highway miles at 37.58 mpg...not bad for less that 500 miles on the car. I was really captured by the looks and took a test drive and then went home and checkout lots of online review...from people not consumer reports ..".which I find useless when it comes to cars". Everyone that owned on raved about handling so I took another test drive and checked out the competition ......and I was convinced this was the car to replace my tired old 2004 Aveo.

• 

  Sad Its Gone - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By Ryan - May 13 - 9:20 am

  As my first car, my 02 Protege was everything I could have hoped for. It had good handling, brakes, and was comfortable to drive on my trips back and forth to college. It was reliable and ran good for 90,000 miles. After only having it for 2 years, an unlicensed driver hit my side and totaled my car and only got 5,000 dollars for my it which is way less than what the car was worth to me. I since have gotten a Mazda6 which is okay but different, but while looking at other cars and the Protege really was great compared to everything else I test drove.