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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  good car for the price - 2002 Mazda 626
  By hydro21 - September 3 - 10:00 am

  i bought this car 2 months ago and so far i love it. the v6 gives you a lot of power though it seems a little sluggish in city driving. the leather seats makes the car look and feel a lot more luxurious then it is. id get the V6 because the 4 cyclinder doesnt have any power. the ride is smooth but i wish the steering was a little tighter it has more of a big car feeling. its spacey and the interior looks plain but nice. This is a really good car.

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  My Shinsen - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Denise - September 2 - 8:46 pm

  The acceleration of this vehicle is really lacking. I really wish that it had tilt steering. Dont know if it is true but I was told that this particular year only came in manual and that an automatic transmission was not an option. I would have preferred an automatic. My Shinsen is a third vehicle and stays mostly protected in the garage. I would have to say that I am pretty satisfied to own such a one of a kind (once again was told by my dealership that only 1500 of them were made).

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  Never Again - 1999 Mazda 626
  By Very Confused - September 1 - 2:56 pm

  I bought my car in 06 from a private owner. The car was in great condition and had 62k miles on it. 6 months after buying the car my the cd player decided it no longer wanted to play cds, the antenna will not go down and it makes this horrible noise whenever I put the radio on, now the AC doesnt work anymore I was told that the entire dash board needs to come out for the problem to be fixed $$$$$, also the power door locks doesnt work any more that too is making an awful loud noise that I cant stand This car is more of a headache than anything else. I wish i would have done more research on these types of cars and i only have 83,246 miles imagine what will happen at 40,000 save your money

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  Year one experience - 2003 Mazda Truck
  By deepwater - August 29 - 11:06 pm

  Very fit for purpose. I stole it for $10,900. Use it for towing an aluminum fishing boat and to haul gear on long trips to my sailboat in Florida. 30 mpg at 75 mph(!) and I never get less than 25 mpg around town :). Im 6 2" and find it very comfortable and roomy. AC will blow you away, even in New Orleans heat. I was looking for a used beater to limit miles on my Vette but couldnt find a decent one for much less than the B2300 new. Yeah, its light on power (anything is compared to my #1) but the fuel efficiency is welcome with gas @ $2+.

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  More Power, Please - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By Bobby - August 29 - 4:36 pm

  Ive had the car now for 2 months, and ive noticed some rattles and loose body parts on the interior of the vehicle. I enjoy driving the car alot, but as much as i enjoy driving this car the gas mileage is very poor. The power is there if your not a lazy driver. I noticed that you have to keep it above 4000 Rpm for the real power to kick in, the power kicks in 2 stages. 1st at 5000 Rpm and at 7500 Rpm....

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  Greatest Value for under 18K - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Latinpashin - August 28 - 11:56 am

  You buy the 2010 Mazda3 because you are looking for a car that is under 18k, is practical, safe, economical, reliable, 4 doors and fun, period. I test drove the civic, corolla, subaru impreza, dodge SRT4 and Fit. I must say, the Civic ex came very close. I noticed that the civic had some real low end pep, better mpg, better interior, but in the end, the mazda3 seemed to have a suspension and road feel edge with the benefit of being a redesigned car that was engineered to be fun. A guiltless decision for a 35 year old guy who wanted a Subaru WRX.

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  Just Loving It - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By X FIRE N - August 27 - 8:50 pm

  After owning several vehicles over the year my standards are very high when it comes to new vehicles. The CX7 is great value. Its not the best crossover out there but it is the best for the money spent. Good performance, nice ride with just the right amount of options. First Mazda, lets see how it goes.

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  MX5 - theres no substitute - 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By dklein - August 26 - 7:53 pm

  For the money this sports car is a 10. But if you want the top of the line best it cost over 50k easily. It is so fun to drive you look forward to doing it. When I bought it I was not fully aware of its past but I am happy I am in its present and future. It is a sports car so it is not the most comfortable ride but again complete fun. With the top down "forget about it"

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  Wonderful car for long commute. - 2008 Mazda Mazda6
  By joemerchant1 - August 25 - 5:55 am

  I have now owned this car for a year now and added over 25K miles to the odometer. I bought this car for commuting and second car as I also own a 2012 Ford F-150 and my wife has 2010 Camary. The only bad thing I can say about this car is the leather is not very good and cracked under the front corner which does not get any wear from sitting. Other than that, it gets 29 MPG hand calculated at every fillup no matter what gas or the season. The little 4 banger is peppy and gets to speed well. The gearing of this car is terrific as I find many cars are not geared well with mismatched engines. Mazda did a wonderful job matching the transmission to the engine.

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  2500 miles in....what a great car - 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By geoffb1 - August 24 - 1:25 am

  Ive been thinking at some point I am going to come to my senses and realize Ive made a huge mistake buying a tiny 2 seat convertible. But then I find myself taking the long way home (again) so I can carve a few more turns with the fall foliage flashing by and the top down. And everything is right with the world. This car actually puts a smile on my face. It is an honest car that does what it is supposed to do. If your idea of a great car is one that does everything possible to insulate you from the job of driving walk away now. But if you truly enjoy feeling connected to the road and the machine....give one of these a test drive. On a sunny day. With the top down.