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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  Projected Reliability - 2001 Mazda Millenia
  By mestratus - July 26 - 6:37 pm

  Purchased this car from the showroom - Brand new it looked inviting, but as it turned out, everything that could go wrong...went wrong - I had to have constant expensive repairs - Right after the warranty ran out, I purchased another warranty costing 2,000.00 for another 5 years, but the auto adjustable steering column jammed and none of it was covered - Costs over 600.00 to repair - The engine (problem) light has spent more time being on, than off - Just about everything that you can replace on an engine, had to be replaced - The catalytic converter has to be replaced at a cost of over 2,000.00 again ! - And all this well before the car has 60,000 miles on it - Projected reliability ???

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  Mazda 3s Leak oil - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By Vic Gallant - July 8 - 6:36 am

  Mines a lemon. It has an oil leak that the dealer cant fix. Theyve tried to repair it three times already. Ive owned the car for less than three months. Its been in the shop 20% of the time. Stay away from this car and if you have one check it for oil leaks.

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  My 1st Mazda, my last Mazda - 2001 Mazda MPV
  By Brenda - July 3 - 8:30 pm

  This car has been a lot of trouble. I put on a lot of highway miles, but have put more money into this car in 125,000 miles than I ever did with our Hondas or Toyotas with over 200,000 miles on them. The engine light comes on every 10,000 miles with something wrong. 9 months ago I replaced the catalytic converter, $1100, and now they say the "other" converter needs replacing for another $1100. I am looking at Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna....no more money sucked out for that vehicle. Its not like we dont do every scheduled maintenance either. Gas mileage is poor for the size car. It is priced about $4000 too high and the resale on it is terrible. Mazda has lost our business forever.

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  Worst car Ive ever owned - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By yagdoogie - June 10 - 4:06 pm

  Replaced the transmission. Twice. Motor "clicks," my mechanic thought it was going to throw a rod. Six months later, still clicking. Front end needed to be rebuilt at 102k. Roughest running four-cylinder Ive ever seen. Dealer said thats a characteristic of the motor. Hunh.

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  Do not buy this Car - 2011 Mazda CX-7
  By tigerhawk48 - June 10 - 2:47 pm

  We purchased our CX-7 a month ago, and are very unhappy with it. Do not buy this car, it is impossible to get replacement tires for it. Only one manufacturer makes them and they are completely out of stock and on back order. We have a punctured tire and no way to fix it. Also while car has decent handling and nice interior features, it is not the most comfortable seats. Really wish I had not bough this car.

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  Watch out for Mazda Protege Transmission - 1999 Mazda Protege
  By Alicia60 - June 1 - 2:00 am

  Purchased this car new, ran great until just after warranty expired, then had one problem after another from O2 sensor, catalytic converter, and finally when out of warranty, transmission sensor went, and Schwartz Mazda in NJ misdiagnosed and repaired with a rebuilt trans. After 3 more visits, still having the same syptoms that originally brought me to the bring in the car, spedometer drop out, o/d off light flashing, and car revviing out of control, they finally replaced the speed sensor on the transmission. This is after a $2000 transmission. Let the buyer beware, when your 50k warranty runs out you are on your own.

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  Stay away from the 2004 Mazda MPV - 2004 Mazda MPV
  By rvgray13 - May 25 - 12:17 am

  I bought this van used from a dealer. It didnt have a lot of miles on it (less than 50K, I think). It has been nothing but problems, coil packs go out regularly (Ive replaced at least 6 times), shift shock, front end control arms, hub bearings, tie rods. Terrible gas mileage. I have contacted Mazda corporate several times and they pretend they havent heard of the issues. Funny how the complaints are all over the web. I think the transmission just went out and I am leaning towards junking it and getting else.

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  Quirky Fun - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By Denny - May 19 - 10:00 am

  After a few years - Still tons of fun to drive, but not good for heavy traffic commuting. Dont drive it on snow or ice - you will die. On the other hand, its a great road trip car and the handling is amazing. Turns and stops better than anything Ive ever driven. It will do a decent 0- 60 if you are willing to abuse the gearbox and clutch, but why? The thing really turns on above 5,000 rpm and is a hoot. It took some time and practice to learn how to maximize the performance, but once you figure out the engine it is the easiest car to drive fast that Ive ever experienced.

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  Frequent Maintence for the 2000 Mazda - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By adingle - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Once this vehicle started aproaching the 30,000 mile mark it requires alot of maintenance. Trasmission problems, fuel injection problems, check engine light comes on repeatingly even after getting the require servicing.

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  JUST DONT DO IT!!!!!! - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By EBONY - April 19 - 6:06 am

  There has been something wrong with this engine I noticed it right after I brought it, I have a clacking sound when starting it, every now anf then white smoke from the exhaust, oils burning, I have gotten oil chages regularly, I think the turbo is going bad, I brought it from Monroeville Chrysler Jeep and Dodge they over priced it and when I took it back the next they denied any problems. The turbo I hear is 3000 to fix , do not take the risk.