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:

• 

  Best all-around value - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By jasnyberg - October 28 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I looked at the Nissan Quest, Honda Odyssey , and the MPV. We loved the extra room of the Honda, but to have it you also need to accept another $7000 on the price, no buying incentives (rebates,etc) and the fact that the Honda drives like a much larger vehicle. The new Quest was an immediate "no" because the console looks like a coffee table with a video game joystick sticking out of it. So we took the MPV, and got 0% financing plus an instant $3000 off the sticker right up front. Its a great value, and has lots of family-friendly features.

• 

  Happy With Choice - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By jim & deb - October 28 - 2:00 am

  We did not know what we wanted to buy, So we ended up with our Tribute, and are we happy we did . It is a lot of fun to drive, nice handling,pretty quick , and very roomy inside. Most of all we think the price was reasonable,it is a lot of vehicle for the price tag

• 

  Nice Vehicle - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By dwfkyf - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I went to the dealer just for a test drive and wound up buying the car. It had all the features I wanted and I enjoyed the feel of the ride. Nice amount of cargo space and roomy seating. Special thanks to the folks at 128 Mazda in Wakefield, MA. It was an excellent buying experience. The staff was informative, they came right out with a price that was great and offered me fair value for my trade-in, canÂ’t thank them enough. It was far better than my last couple of car purchases through other dealers. IÂ’m looking forward to owning this vehicle for a long time.

• 

  ZOOOM ZOOM Zooom - 2004 Mazda MPV
  By Ichibon - October 28 - 2:00 am

  The Vehicle Is Tight"" No Rattles. Has Wondeful Road Feel. Shifts A Little Iffy When starting Out In O/D. Drove It From NYC Brooklyn, To Las Vegas NV.{Brand New 4 Miles On Odometer} Drivers Seat a Little Pain On Right Hip While Driving, Possibly Seat And Seat Belt Position. {Drove On Average 800 Miles Per Day}

• 

  Best Sports Sedan for the Money - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By SJB1 - October 28 - 2:00 am

  The Mazda-6s by far is the best sports sedan for the money. I just traded in a 2001 Nissan Maxima that I paid 5 thousand dollars more for and this car blows it away in every category. The reviews and ratings on this car speak for themselves. Very highly rated automobile and well deserved. It also has a 4 year 50,000 mile bumber to bumber warranty.

• 

  My Tribute - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By Evelyn - October 27 - 3:56 pm

  After driving minivans for 12 years, I needed a change but did not want to drive an "ordinary" car. After alot of looking and comparison shopping, I spotted the Tribute and was sold. Ive only had it for 3 months but havent had as much fun driving a vehicle since I was 20 and had a sports car. I love it and it has lived up to my expectations so far. Only thing that gets in my way is the gear lever when I reach for the radio controls, and that is a minor point.

• 

  2008 Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring FWD - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By Eric - October 27 - 8:20 am

  The CX-7 does great at handling many driving conditions. It has great passing power on the highway. Avg. MPG on highway was 24. Using premium fuel and using cruise control really helps. I am not impressed with the navigation system. It is not as user friendly as the plug and go Garmins. Its point of interest database is very limited. Instrument cluster is easy to read and has a dimming switch. Bose sound system is great. Outdoor temp. display can be read when you toggle between the A/C temp and outdoor temp. I would have liked it if the outdoor temp was always visible in display above the steering wheel. Reliability is still unknown so I would suggest a short term lease.

• 

  2007 Mazda3 - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By Bret - October 25 - 11:13 pm

  I have never had a backache in my life till I bought this car. Now I have a brand new car and I am hobbled over with back pain. What a joy that has been! The car handles well, and it is designed nicely, and really looks nice from the outside, but I just cant get comfortable in the seat. The MP3 Player jack has a slight hum when I connect it to my satellite radio and that stinks, plus the interior black paneling on the doors gets random black marks all over the place. Sometimes the brakes squeak. Not to mention Its been in for service at least once now in the three months I have owned it. The dealership was very nice and friendly, but I hate the car.

• 

  UNHAPPY..SAFETY ALERT - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By UNHAPPY2 - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Since our purchase we have had nothing but problems with the car.It has been in the shop more than home. There have been many issues including faulty break cylinder,windshield wiper motor going out in the middle a rain storm,clunking noise from front end for which they have tried but failed to fix with new tires, left front axel,new transmission and torque converters. The latest while my wife and child were driving on a heavy traffic street the car stalled and would not start again. By the way coming very close to being hit by a mack truck! The reason for the stall a known computer chip problem for which Mazda has decided to fix only after someone has a problem with it.

• 

  Still love the little guy but - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By ajl - October 25 - 2:00 am

  An update to the previous review. Id still buy this vehicle again. But I will echo previous reviewers comments. Still the original Toyos, but I have 4 snow tires for the winter,which I highly recommend (Low profile all seasons are not good for snow). The original Toyos might have 9000 miles on them and are half worn out.We have a suspension noise in the back that keeps coming back. Dealer has been great,even though we didnt buy it there. No steering issues, but there is a recall. A great little vehicle, but it does have its flaws (all cars do, they are complex machines) There is no such thing as a perfect car.