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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  Nice design, poor execution - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By NicoleNSteve - February 7 - 2:03 am

  The MPV is comfortable, and very plush for a mini-van. Power doors in rear, windows that lower on both back doors, leather throughout, and a nice sound system. This is the second MPV we purchased brand new from dealer. And the second that has required a new transmission at about 40K. Mazda helped us the first time,after much pushiness on our part, but refused on the second. Maybe they figure we should have learned our lesson? Its too bad. It drives well, and the only other serious complaint is lousy mileage. But no more Mazdas for us.

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  Caution to CX-5 buyers - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By zoomed_out - December 9 - 3:58 pm

  Hold your horses. We have a 2013 CX-5 that had the transmission go out. The dealer has had it for a month and replaced parts in the transmission twice now with no success. They cant get the vehicle started. They have been in contact with Mazda, with no success so far. We have attempted to contact Mazda USA, with no success do to their website being down. ...?... We bought all of the options that were available for a total of 40K and now we are driving a rental car from Enterprise with a threat that if anyone dings it, we will have to pay $500 no questions asked. Thank you Alan Webb. We have never heard from Mazda Care to date.

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  crap car - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By jhouse123179 - December 3 - 10:00 am

  this vehicle has been nothing but trouble. Ive had to replace the following: Engine, Coolant Reservoir, Headlights, Tie Rods, Control Arms, Rear Wiper Motor, Windshield needed re- sealed, Rear hatch window needed adjusted so it wouldnt leak, Rear hatch Door Needed adjusted didnt close properly, Sun Roof Doesnt open properly...switch sticks, Transmission doesnt shift properly, brakes wear very fast even the rotors. Its only been 2 years and this is what I get! Am I supposed to assume the Air Bags will work if I ever needed them? Ive only driven it 61 000 kms its got 19000 kms left on manufacturers warranty the hole car has almost been replaced.

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  Hate this Car - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Zoom Zoom NO MORE - November 5 - 7:26 pm

  Bought this car in 8/07. Hated it since the 2nd week of ownership! (I traded it last month.) This car is over-priced, cheap looking, hard to see out of, poor gas mileage, premium gas. I bit the bullet, worked out a good trade and kissed it good-bye! Never been so glad to get rid of a car!

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  Acceleration problems - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By amber - October 23 - 2:38 am

  I have a 2015 Mazda CX-5 so afraid to keep driving this car. Mind you that I like this vehicle but its nothing considered best a good vehicle. #1 The acceleration is very dangerous my car started revving up higher at 2,000rpms plus the speedometer went nuts and transmission jerked extremely bad to the point thought was going to die. Interior is comfortable like all features in my car but overall other things dont trust its a defective vehicle that needs to be off highway ASAP- It had almost caused my life took into dealership it came from computer wiring problem. #2 Now experience transmission jerking bad nearly almost rear ended by 18 wheeler after it slowed down to 25mph. I had a 2010 Ford Fusion with this same problem will not deal with another vehicle having same identical problem as my 2010 Fusion. This time its much worse to the point think might get sued by another motorist or get killed because its very dangerous driving will not purchased another Mazda again after all these bad electronics having out a vehicle brought last year has 15,000 miles this will be the 3rd time taking it back into dealership for a bad issue.

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  DO NOT BUY REPLACED 2 ENGINES - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Jessie - September 24 - 7:30 pm

  This is th absolute worst car I think of all time. I bought this car brand new in 04 and it has been nothing but problems. I have replaced 2 engines and that is just the beginning, everytime I turn around something is wrong with it and it cost a pretty penny to fix everything. This car makes awful rattleing noises, it breaks down on me while driving on the road about once a week, whick is very dangerous in traffic. The dealership has been absolutely no help and often have to argue with them. The problems are never ending! It pretty to the eye and thats bout as far as it goes.

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  One of the worst - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By zzz - September 24 - 7:33 am

  Shocked to see average consumer rating is 8.8. One if the worst ever owned. People must not own this vehicle for long, or drive it very much, otherwise how could you not have these persistent problems: coils, pcv hoses, fan control modules (all these have failed multiple times, some even after the recall work). Lesser frequent problem: tranny totally quit, front stabilizer links, control arms, wheel bearing, coolant reservoir cracked, intake bellow gone bad (too lean CEL), O2 sensor, catalytic converter below threshold, driver side window motor, flex pipe leak, rust everywhere. All these problems happened on an MPV bought new and religiously maintained.

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  Never buy a Mazda 626 - 1998 Mazda 626
  By - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car 1 year ago and recently, at 53,000 miles, the head gaskets went out. Mazda refused to assist in paying and will never buy another mazda.

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  Bad Choice - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Pbear - August 28 - 5:36 am

  I loved this car when we first purchased it. After 3 months we started having problems with it. It has been in the shop 14 times in the year that we have had it. Trying to get it declared a lemon. New transmission module, new computer, new tires and new engine!! Dont buy this year model!

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  Money Pit! - 2000 Mazda 626
  By chuckcb66 - August 16 - 10:09 am

  Bought the 4 cylinder with about 30k miles on it. Once I hit 100k every major system started breaking down. Replaced the transmission, everything on the front end from the sway bar to the tie rods and ball joints. Electrical problems. I think I put more money in this car than I paid for it. I will never buy a Mazda product again. Not built to last. Drove daily 80 miles a day all highway. The worst car I ever owned.