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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  The worst car I ever owned, and I owned a 78 Pinto! - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By workingmom40 - September 6 - 9:16 pm

  This car is the absolute worst, and it is my mission to inform other buyers. When you read the reviews of this car, see how people are happy at first, but quickly the reviews go downhill. My transmission went out at 86,000 miles. Complete rebuild, I kid you not. I have also had to replace the brakes twice before reaching 80,000. And these are the pricy "performace" breaks. Shocks done twice & struts done once at 60,000. Two sets of those crappy "performance" tires. Numerous mfr. warranty repairs due to faulty engine components, and the body is plastic and literally falls off on the freeway! Used the extended warranty so much the company investigated the dealer for possible fraud!

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  catastrophic clutch failure at 14k miles - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By natdallas - July 9 - 2:43 am

  Ive really enjoyed driving this car. Ive driven two manual hondas, one subaru and an old datsun. Never any clutch problems. My 2010 Mazda 3 had a tight clutch one day, and then in the course of a day and a half, the clutch engaged the gear only partially--losing power--and finally, with a snapping sound, no power at all. Miriam Stevens (at Mazda North America Customer Care) gave the impression that Mazda does not care about premature clutch failures on this car. I mentioned the many web-postings about customers with similar clutch failures that appear out of nowhere, ending in sudden failure. This issue is not the result of wear and tear. Want to call lawyer.

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  Worst in Category - 2011 Mazda CX-7
  By vbilodeau - July 1 - 5:45 am

  I drove over 800 miles on a weekend getaway with a rental CX-7 AWD and the least that I can say is that this car is a disappointment. I spent a fortune on gas, the car was averaging a bit less than 18 mpg on the highway and about 12 in city driving. There was no fun to drive, the turbo has almost no kick. I was shocked to see that the car didnt have electronic temperature control, a feature that 15,000$ car now have. For that price range, I would without a doubt buy a Ford Edge that looks way better and that is tens time more fun to drive and has 20x more features than the CX-7. Shame on you Mazda.

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  No zoom zoom here - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By ygbsmbd - June 28 - 7:01 pm

  Had mine for 6000 miles, MAZDA! Never again. CX5 is underpowered; the transmission makes it worse. Slow and gear confused at 20-40 MPH, especially in the hills. Must manually shift this slug or nail gas in hills or entering hyway. Dont pass; it dies for a whole second before accelerating. 25 MPG at best. Seat adjuster is awful, nav is cumbersome, the road noise makes it hard to talk at 50 MPH and above, insulation is not there, crank the air and leave it, or drive an oven. Second highest model has no tail lift gate light; WHAT! Shifter easy to knock out of gear/ over to manual. rear wiper grinds. cannot see out the right side well. cant see the gages. no lights on window controls.

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  Dont judge this car by looks alone - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By rick salzer - June 27 - 2:50 am

  I own this car and it has not even come close to the expectations I had for it. It looks great. But that is it. Performance is poor, it is slow, and finally it has not been very reliable at all. The starter has been a constant problem in the cold weather. The electrical system has given me problems. The tire pressure monitoring system has given me problems. If I could do it over again, I would absolutely never buy this car again. After my experience with the manufacturer, I will never buy another Mazda for that matter.

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  Mazda, not as advertised - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Mazda, Disapointed - June 19 - 2:50 pm

  I am original owner with 56K miles on it and mostly commuting/hwy miles. Loaded up 6cyl. Great car when I first got it. Handled great, but after that have had problems the entire ownership experience. Have had to try multiple dealerships as their knowledge, service and work quality is terrible. Mazda Customer service not helpful. Build quality and design is not good. 15 visits a year to a dealership not unusual for bad brake system, clutch, trany, engine, interior reattles, power steering, A/C, suspension, exhaust/CAT converters, etc. Mazda doesnt appear to be quality / customer focused. Engine (Ford Duratec) needed replacement at 46K with oil changes every 3K. Same engine as Ford Fusion

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  Dead Engine - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By J peterson - June 17 - 3:02 am

  Turbo malfunction, metal shards in engine total engine failure. Found out Jasper wont even rebuild them!

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  AVOID!! - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By Chuck111111 - June 7 - 10:00 am

  Good GOD, stay away. Have this car 3 months, and have had nothing but trouble. Engine quits, transmission has been opened up twice for service. Im getting so I see the same group of owners in the dealership getting theirs serviced every time Im there.

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  The Car that Died - 2000 Mazda MPV
  By Brodnick - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Do Not Buy this Car I recently purchased the Mazda MVP 2000, what a mistake. My children were getting bigger and needed more space from our Volvo V70, so we decied we should go for a minivan. One thing we learned, just because you get all the extras, leather seats, wood interior, 6 cd, etc. doesnt mean its a good. In FOUR years we have 4 transmissions! It is redictualous, and to top it off the people at the dealer are such morons! I could not even get a key made! So in the end we are going back to reliable Volvos, and purchasing V70.

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  disappointed - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By Ziggy - May 22 - 11:23 am

  Expecting better fuel economy over the previous generation; still very poor for the power output compared to conventional engine. Need to regularly keep eye on rpm to know when to shift gears. Engine does not give audible sound that I am aware of when to shift gears which is distracting. I have unintentionally red lined many times. Overrated specs along with total dealer denials; one that car was over heating and refused to address.