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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  First 400 miles - 2010 Mazda MazdaSpeed3
  By REV - January 29 - 2:00 am

  26 mpg after the first 400 miles. Yes I am babying it except for attacking the winding uphill winding roads where I let it loose. Handling is incredible. Brakes are great. Torque steer? Ive felt more torque pull from a 9 lb miniature poodle. Keep the engine in the right power band 3k rpm - 5k rpm and you dont have to worry about torque steer. Looks? Yes it is goofy. Especially at first. Most guys buy an expensive car because they look good in it. Me? I buy an ugly car, because next to it I look really good. Got mine in black and must say that it has a look that really grows on you. 263 ponies with a 4clynder getting 26mgp? Are you kidding me? Bought mine for much less than invoice. Great

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  Comes up short but ... - 2000 Mazda 626
  By cadjocky - January 29 - 2:00 am

  My 2000 626ES was purchased instead of the Honda or Toyota based on price. The car handles great, rides nice, but the engine is too buzzy and quite underpowered. I thought I could get used to that, but I long for more power without seeing the tach at 6000 rpm. The interior looks like a million bucks and I dont think anybody makes a better one in this price range. The transmission is easily the worst feature of the car with rough shifts and an annoying tendancy to slam into gear after coasting. I thought I may have just gotten a bad transmission but after it failed and was replaced by an equally bad shifting transmission I think it is just a bad design.

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  GREAT CAR! - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By JUST SMILE - January 25 - 2:00 am

  Get multiple price quotes on the net to get the best price and then go buy the 6s V6 with all options. Its sporty and stands out from the others in its class thanks to style and value. I ordered it and had to wait almost 4 months to get it. Camry and Accord are so dull looking. I am a past accord owner and their 2003 design looked pathetic to me and then I saw the Mazda 6s on the floor.

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  Needs more ZOOM ZOOM!!!!! - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By mazda02 - January 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought my mazda in 2003 i have had it for a little over 7 mths i got it with 16000 miles on it now it has 33500 miles i drive a lot. beacuse i drive so much i needed something that gets good gas i get about 25mpg which is much better than i got in my toyota tacoma although i miss hitting the mud puddles and off roading i like the lil mazda

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  almost as fun .... - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By ktl - January 25 - 2:00 am

  The car is well-packaged, good transmission, good handling, but lack in power and torque. The cars transmission is almost as good as the one in the S2000, what lacked in fun and power compare to the S2000 was made up with extra room and safer cornering. I had to trade my S2000 in because it was fun but dangerous in high speed cornering and not a long distance car at all. The RX8 is 9/10th the fun of a S2000 and 9/10th the user-friendly of a Civic.

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  Great car except for the gas mileage - 2007 Mazda Mazda6
  By poots - January 21 - 7:03 pm

  Love the styling and the performance (mainly handling), but cant say were a big fan of the gas mileage. My wife drives the car almost exclusively to work, which is a ~32 mile roundtrip of 90% highway miles, and were averaging 25mpg (tires properly inflated, oil changed, air filter changed) on our 36,000 mile Mazda6. The styling is great and it performed well in the snow, which reminds me of one other negative: this car is not meant for snow chains AT ALL. There is almost no clearance between the control arms and the actual tire, so you get A LOT of vibration even at low speed with snow chains. On top of that, the alloy wheels were scratched by the plastic chain connectors.

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  Mazda3 5 door - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By fox - January 21 - 2:43 am

  The car has had zero problems in 50K miles. It is fun to drive and not a mushmobile like the competition. Great performance for the price! Smooth and quiet engine with a wide torque band. Standard transmission shifts great, precise and easy.

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  Only One Zoom - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By lennye - January 20 - 8:37 pm

  Though advertised as zoom-zoom, due to its weight is about 600 pounds heavier than my previous 2007 Mazda 3 sedan, I was only able to "zoom" but well aware of its speed is slower than the other 2 CUVs that Ive looked at, Outback and CR-V. The CR-V has the softest ride but subjectively I cannot deal w/ it on a daily basis. However, the interior design and features are the best. The Outback appears to be lower and I like the backup camera view located on the rear-view mirror, but I do not need AWD or its mileage penalty. The CX-5 is a good compromise and its my 4th Mazda. Other than slow, I like the weighted and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Love the price too w/ all the features.

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  Perfect for us! - 2013 Mazda Mazda5
  By constantinea - January 20 - 4:24 pm

  When my wife and I decided to replace our 2003 Jeep Liberty, we set some stringent criteria. We wanted a car that could seat our baby, our 4-yo, and an adult or two on occasion, when relatives visit. However, it also needed to be small enough to maneuver easily in and out of parking spaces in suburban malls or NYC, get at least 20-miles per gallon mixed, and be fun to drive even on windy roads. Its outside had to look appealing, and its inside had to handle abuse from the kids well. Finally, it had to cost less than $30,000 with all extras. Frankly, we did not think such a car existed...until we found the Mazda 5. Our Mazda has turned out to be everything we hoped it would be.

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  25K miles update - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By mokosh - January 18 - 4:42 pm

  After 25K miles of ownership I would still give it 3 out of 5 for comfort. Had a computer recall update, (high idling rpm) now its much better (visit your local dealer and let them update the computer and youll see the engine difference.) Still too low, new model is 3 higher. Good for commuting, sucks for long trips. Good mpg. Many useless buttons on a cd player. Rear seats dont have enough leg room. Still reliable. Sitting position not as high as other models. Just understand me right, suspension is perfect on a race track, but not very good on a daily basis - the way too firm. Good for the price, however I would take a look on corolla or civic if you prefer more comfortable ride.