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:

• 

  Love the car, dissappointed in service - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By yellowstoneguy - September 17 - 1:50 am

  I bought my car new and loved it for 45,000 miles. Had a screw come loose from the intake and go through the engine prior to a recall for that very thing. Fixed the misfire, but started having black/blue smoke issues and had to replaced smashed plug. Whitten Bros. "did" the recall work and claimed no problems, yet when I had to rebuild the engine 1 year later due to smoke, discovered in fact that one of the screws theyd "checked and replaced" had indeed gone through my engine, pitted pistons, destroyed catalytic, fouled engine. Runs great again now, but had to rebuild myself because Whitten Brothers wouldnt live up to what happened and didnt have money/trust for the stealership to fix.

• 

  Gimme a break - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By silver mazda - September 15 - 12:20 pm

  I like the car but the brakes are a problem. Sometimes the brakes go down to the floor, sometimes it feels like it is hitting metal and sometimes it feels like I am hitting an empty box. The dealer out of a courtesy changed the front pads only as they were worn 30 percent. The rear pads are worn 50% and they refused to change them. I will see if this repair helps with my problem. I never know when my brakes will go out on me.

• 

  NOT BAD - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By jairo - September 15 - 10:00 am

  THE ONLY THING THAT HAS TO GO IS THE ANTENNA IS TO LONG. GETTING OUT OF FIRST GEAR SOMETIMES IS NOT TO SMOOTH SO AM GIVING IT THE BREAK IN PEROID...

• 

  3 months into owning... - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By photoguy22 - September 14 - 9:22 pm

  An update to the review written only a few days after buying... Weve now put 2500 miles on our 14 CX5 AWD and its performing well. Nothing failing, no problems - performing about as expected. Gas mileage not quite what we hoped but still reasonable at around 25 mpg combined. Closer to 30 on the open road but never higher average than that. Finding a few shortcoming described below, but so far a good choice in a new vehicle.

• 

  Major Change - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Mr.North - September 14 - 2:00 am

  You have a lot to improve. Mazda you need to higher who sense of what a car needs. Executive do you watch "Pimple my ride.?" First, you need an automatic engine; Get the gas tank on the driver side ; Leather heated seats, Remote controller, better gas mileage;more room at the back; Better stereo please.!!!

• 

  Buy it, then buy new tires - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By pedersen - September 13 - 4:50 pm

  Love this SUV. Have 20,000 miles on it at the time Im writing this and already planning to buy another one this spring to replace another vehicle we have. Have had no problems whatsoever other than the subwoofer died. Dealer replaced it in an hour, no questions asked. If youre shopping for one, there are two things to pay attention to. One, the driving position; with the power seat all the way back the steering wheel is a long reach. Two, compare the Tribute and Escape carefully. They package the options very differently. I find the 6-way power seat very necessary for comfort. You can get that feature in lesser priced editions of the Escape compared to the Mazda.

• 

  Not a bad little SUV - 2008 Mazda Tribute
  By Ryan - September 13 - 3:13 am

  We have had our Tribute for a little over 2 years and it has 50,000 miles on it. It had not given us one bit of trouble. The major thing that has disappointed me is the lack of power, but that is what you get with a 4 cyl. It gets fairly good gas mileage. We went on a trip a couple weeks back at it averaged 27 MPG. Its roomy enough in the cabin and Im 64" and feel comfortable in it. Do wish there was a little more backseat space. A/C blows cold and the radio is easy to use and stylish. If it runs anything like the old Mazda B2300 I had we will keep it for a long time. I would recommend one.

• 

  CX-7 Sport - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By greeko - September 12 - 8:30 pm

  I bought my CX-7 in 2011. I am the 3rd owner and I have to say I am really please by the performance and overall quality Mazda put in this model. The turbo acceleration is one of the fastest I have been able to drive on a SUV and having that power ready under the hood provide a feeling of security on the roads (when you need to get out from a spot you have what it needs). I have drove 60K with it and do the maintenance regularly. Does not cost much at Petboys, and never had an issue. I read many post on reliability of this model and I do not understand like them what went wrong with their. I would put that on lack of knowledge of the mechanics who touched their cars.

• 

  A great value - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By chemsal - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I really enjoy my S hatchback. It has lots of pep, handles great and a super value. My wife drives a 325 XI BMW which is a super car, but dollar for dollar I perfer the Mazda. Its been over a month now and I still enjoy my drive time in the car. If there is a better valve out there I dont know what it is.

• 

  My New ZOOM ZOOM MOBILE - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By Jus4tday - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Overall, I love the Tribute. I have really enjoyed driving it and sitting up high with the 16 alloys wheels. Its my first SUV and I love it! ZOOM ZOOM!