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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  best van on market - 2005 Mazda MPV
  By stevey woods - October 31 - 12:56 pm

  I looked at every minivan on the market, and drove them all. The design, the build quality and the performance sold me on this van.Your report states that this car has a "clunky" transmission and a loud engine, I dont know what car you were testing, but my MPV shifts gears like silk, never had a smother shifting transmission.

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  Love my little Zipper - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By MzAngelique - October 29 - 6:00 pm

  I bought this car used with 34k miles. I really lucked up and got a great deal on it. Plus its fully loaded (sports trim, leather seats, power, tint, spoiler, sunroof, Bose stereo, etc.). I LOVE THIS CAR!! Im definitely a drivers driver. I love the handling, especially on curves (barely have to slow down on exit ramps). The speed is great, you feel like youre going 40 at 60 mph. Ive put nearly 20k miles on it in the year and a half that Ive had it. Including a 1500 mile road trip. I was comfortable the entire trip there and back. I saw a few people have had some mechanical issues with theirs, but other than a headlight bulb needing replacing, Ive had no issues.

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  INCREDIBLE machine... RX-8 = FUN! - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By Russ G - October 29 - 3:00 pm

  Had this a month now... UNBELIEVABLE! Have yet to really run her hard as only 600 miles but have already seen the potential. Dealership could be much improved customer service wise, but got TREMENDOUS discount! Traded an 04 Accord for something sporty yet still practical for kids ... thrilled with the choice! Only 2 drawbacks: came with summer tires (live in snowy WI) and could use bigger gas tank (mileage has averaged 21-22mpg). Researched almost every car ... this was the PERFECT choice!

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  TOO FUN TO BE A WAGON! - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By ToddM - October 29 - 10:43 am

  I drove the Passat and the new 05 Legacy before I bought the 6. The Mazda is the right balance of size and price. The test drive is the clincher. The Mazda is more about the drive where the Passat is about the ride. The Mazdas reliability reputation is better than the VWs as well. The Subarus all wheel drive gear gives it a smaller interior than the Mazda. The 6 had a large advantage in price over the Subie. I loaded it up (ordered car) with Sirius, Bose, auto-tint mirror, moonroof, cassette and CD changer, cargo tray, all-season mats, cargo floor carpet (should be standard!) and the car after rebates and discounts was a still reasonable $25,000. The 2.5GT Subaru was pushing $30,000!

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  surprizoomzoom - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By mike - October 27 - 8:10 pm

  Essentially a great looking minivan at a great price. Fun to drive, very responsive steering. Cupholders EVERYWHERE. Navigation is very cool. Sliding doors on both sides, very convenient. The 4 cylinder provides plenty of horsepower. Domestic automakers take note. Mazda has their act together. VROOM VROOM.

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  TERRIFIC CAR - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Hot Momma - October 27 - 8:40 am

  Was glad to move up from a Mazda 626 4-cyl. to this 6 cyl. model--no problems merging onto an interstate in this car! Have the 5 speed version. I call this my Volvo station wagon on steroids--it reminds me of the Volvo 245 station wagon I had years ago: solid, dependable, safe. But the Mazda adds: acceleration, handling, pizazz.

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  Beautiful, fun to drive - 2010 Mazda Mazda6
  By David - October 25 - 10:23 pm

  Purchased a couple of weeks ago. Got the solid black; exterior styling most attractive on the road, kudos to the designers. Was appealing that the car, though selling well, is somewhat rare compared to the other brands, and very eye catching. The touches in the Touring Plus trim line with the leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift really set off the inside. Interior fit and finish is excellent, very high quality look and feel. Got the 4-cyl to get better gas mileage (got 29 MPG on first tank of mostly highway), but the engine theyre using is not particularly well engineered when compared to the performance of my older model 4-cyl Camry.

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  Excellent Mini-Minivan - Zoom Zoom - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Julie - October 24 - 3:36 pm

  Great fun to drive, love the fact that it can accommodate 4 carseats. Good fuel economy. Never get lost anymore now that I have the GPS. Perfect for a family with young kids.

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  Get one - 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By jdow - October 23 - 10:00 am

  The Miata 1996 vintage is a wonderful car overall and amazingly reliable. Such dependability is probably due to the cars inherent simplicity. It is a fine example of balance. The power, weight, size, handling ability, all work together as a unit. Beefs about trunk size are unfounded. The wife and I have driven from Nashville to Toronto as well as various other trips to Ohio and Florida with no problems. Dont waste your time with "exotic" Eurojunk. Get a Miata.

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  The Perfect - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By MPV_fan - October 23 - 10:00 am

  After reviewing all of the latest data from Consumer Reports, I was impressed that the the two minivans with the highest scores in reliablity and quality were the MPV and the Sienna (2003 model). The Honda Odeyssey was just too big for our needs. My wife and I drove the 2003 Sienna and we were very disappionted with its handling, braking, and lack of a fold flat 3rd row. After about 20 minutes in the MPV we bought it on the spot! It was the best looking and the best driving van of the top three rated minivans. If you want the best "Mini" van money can buy, get the MPV. If you need a "Medium" van, then look into the 2004+ Sienna.