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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  A passenger armrest short of perfection! - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By zabellasdad - August 1 - 11:50 pm

  This is hands down THE BEST car you can get for $20K or under. WOW! I got a Grand Touring trim with nice leather, 6-disk CD (great sound btw), Xenon lights with adjustable angle (are you serious?), moonroof, cool pocket-knife style keys w/remote entry, etc, etc. Can you find another car on the market at this price with all these features? I traded my 98 Suburban for this thing in a heartbeat! Drove my first 180 miles and barely at half tank, that’s only 7 gallons! There are few oversights by Mazda. The biggest one being the lack of front passenger armrest. What? Did someone spill coffee on that part of the blueprint at Mazda design team meeting? But overall, it is AWESOME!!!

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  OK but compromised - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By dbrown15 - August 1 - 12:48 pm

  Good value. Excellent gas mileage 29 to 35 mpg mixed driving. Acceleration Ok but nothing special. Major rattles and vibrations in cold weather and on dirt roads. Driving side mirror replaced due to vibration at highway speeds. Three trips to dealership(s) to finally resolve instrument panel rattle. Still noticeable body noise and resonance from rear. Thinking of trading in for a Subaru Crosstrek as have driven that car over similar terrain with no problems.

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  A True Multi-Purpose Vehicle - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By jimmitime - July 31 - 4:41 am

  Bought it new because it had a lot to offer as our sole family vehicle.Original A/T tires are still fine. Driven it all over northwest USA & west Canada. Has been a good tow vehicle, we pulled a 2000lb trailer through snowy ID Lolo Pass, MT, WA and the rockies no problems. Handles suprisingly well in slippery conditions. Braking is great. Could do with more power but the tradeoff is decent fuel economy. Now at 30k miles. Have had to do nothing but oil changes. Wed definitely buy the 5 again. Has served us well. Our 3 kids have punished it inside and out so the paint does seem to scratch easily which is probably typical of all new vehicles these days with the bare minimum paint used.

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  All in the family - 2017 Mazda CX-5
  By Robert Campbell - July 30 - 5:22 pm

  I owned a 2013 Mazda CX5 Touring when they first came out and then I purchased a 2016 Mazda CX5, but this time I moved up the Grand Touring, then I just bought a 2017 Mazda CX5 Grand Touring. Also each of the cars I purchased was the same color a Silver Gray. The odds of buying not only the same car, same model and basically the same color are extremely rare and that speaks for its self as to how good the car is. Plus my wife bought a 2013 CX5 2 weeks after I had bought my 2013 CX5 and she loves it. So I look at our CX5s as family.

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  Believe the reviews! - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By EW - July 29 - 8:00 pm

  I never thought Id write an online review, but I simply had to come back and confirm that this car is indeed every bit as good as people say. I needed to get a new car and heavily researched the Mazda3 in addition to the Honda Civic Si, Honda Accord Coupe, Mitsubishi Lancer, Subaru Impreza WRX and BMW 328. As you can tell, price was not so much of a issue for me as getting a car I really liked. I was worried that the Mazda3 was underpowered and too "economy" (i.e. cheap and mundane) for my tastes, but after driving all of the cars mentioned above I was left with little doubts. Without exaggeration, this car drives and handles like a BMW. I could not be happier with the purchase.

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  New Miata Special Edition - 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Steve R - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Great looking car and a lot of fun to drive with the 6-speed. The interior comfort is fine. My only problem has been with the clutch pedal being too close to the left footrest on the floor. The car runs and performs flawlessly. The Bose music system is also great. Gas mileage has been around 26 mpg so far.

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  Zoom, Zoom - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By safiri - July 28 - 2:00 am

  I wanted an SUV, so I checked out the Subaru Forester. Though it ranked high in safety & does great for off road, I dont drive off road. I also felt the Forester was too low to the ground (though this low center of gravity=less chance of roll over), & I didnt want to dig out another car from a snowy NY winter. Checked out the Kia Sorento. This midsize SUV was too big for my needs. Since I owned a Mazda 323, I checked out the Tribute. The rich looking interior is well laid out. The outside has nice lines. It has good safety test results, with comparable gas mileage for an SUV. It has POWER (V6) & 4 wheel drive which is great for a SUV.

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  rx8 has superior handling /transmission - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By linda bednarski - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Felt the rx-8 handling and transmission were superb. the only car I have ever been in that handled the curves as good as the rx-8 was a (race car) triumph 25 years ago. Nothing beats it on the curves and the brakes are extremely good too. Thought it handled much better than the z350, g35 sport coup, and saleen s281 mustang.

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  An Audi for 20K less . . . - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Miyoshi Chen - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven many compact and midsize cars over the years, including the Sentra, Civic, Focus, Cavalier, Lancer, and Corolla, as well as the Accord, Camry, and Mazda 6. I will honestly tell you that very few cars come close to the value and quality of this car. Whether you choose the smooth 5 speed or convenient 4 speed, you cant go wrong. This car has the poise to perform in stop and go city traffic, the ability to break free on the open road and through the twisties, and has the build quality to rival cars that cost 10-20K more. With the orange/red accents, you feel like youre in an Audi A4 instead of a Mazda.

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  ALOT OF BANG FOR THE BUCK! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By will1505 - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Mazda could have priced this car several thousand dollars higher and the would still sell...I compared this car to the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe and the Honda Civic...Way more fun and for my money a tighter car. Handles great, pick up in automatic is good but if you want more you can throw it into the clutchless mode and control the shifting yourself.