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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  Unbelievably poor performance in snow. - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By thebigbw - July 3 - 8:12 am

  This is a nice car for warm months of the year, but if you live any place that it snows STAY AWAY. I live in Minnesota and the performance on snow is terrible. The biggest issue is inability to accelerate. Level ground or an incline, it doesnt matter - you will spin and spin and spin. Its a reliable starter in cold weather, and heats up pretty quick. Stylish too. Im also having issues with my stereo and CD player. This car is so close to having it all....maybe if I lived in southern California Id be all right.

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  Zombie car that I love. - 2001 Mazda 626
  By hassef - July 2 - 9:17 pm

  Owned this car for 11 years. I purchased car used as a dealer demo with 7K on it. At first thought I had a lemon, door trim peeled off, radio broke, O2 sensor went and a sway bar linkage broke, thankfully all under warranty. Now in its 12th year the car has given up the ghost and is a rolling zombie that refuses to die! This year had to replace the CV boot and axle (my fault regular maintenance would have spotted cracked boot and saved me $), the oil pan rusted out, front struts gone, check engine light is on, exhaust almost rusted out and engine leaking oil from a gasket. Saying all this I still loved it. Has out lived all my other cars and cost the least in maintenance.

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  Still love it, but a big baby! - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By JodyLa - June 29 - 3:16 pm

  I bought this car new in 05 and have put 20,000 miles on it so far. I love this car! My only negatives are constantly having to check the oil and if you shut the car off and it didnt warm up, you are in big trouble! Ive have to have it towed to the dealership because of this! Always let the car warm up before shutting it off!

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  Lemon - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By GJT - June 27 - 10:00 am

  We bought our RX8 the week the first ones rolled into town. Loved everything about it except the weak AC. When the car idles at a stop light, the AC gets warm. However, the big issue is when temperatures get around 100 degrees, the car starts shaking and dies. Its been in the dealership for 2 months now and Mazda cannot fix it. They are doing a buyback of RX8s with this problem. Evidently it only affects automatics when they get very hot. We cannot even trade into another RX8 because they cannot tell with automatics will have this same problem. We will miss the car.

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  Poor in the elements - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By not enthused in MASS - June 26 - 7:40 pm

  Purchased with 6400 miles, turbo model with all upgrades, interior should have full leather, road noise from tires is horrible, tires wear very prematurely, poor in snow, wind noise with 1 window open, dash is chintzy, front window needs tint, gas mileage is not as advertised, traction control is useless. Trade value poor also, this is my third Mazda, (my past Miata and Mazda 6 are much better cars).

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  Great Little Whip - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Greg Dorsey - June 20 - 3:33 pm

  I took delivery only two weeks ago, so this review may be a bit premature. But Im really happy with the car so far. I test drove all the vehicles in its class before deciding on the CX-7. Its clearly designed to take on the Nissan Murano and does so with panache. Im a big Nissan fan (my other car is a Maxima and the CX-7 replaced a Pathfinder). I was impressed with how the CX-7 stacked up against the Murano in every possible way--for several thousand dollars less on a comparably equipped car. The CX-7 lives up to its "zoom zoom" billing.

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  Lots of great, some not so great - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By sshankster - June 13 - 8:07 pm

  First, I drove every crossover in this class when I was shopping. I mean every one. Some were smoother rides, some more space, but really, no other car matched the handling of the Mazda. If you like to drive, this is really the best one, and a few other reasons to love it. Personally, I like the design. I think it is sporty looking with nice lines. Great ground clearance. Others, like the Nissan had a front spoiler kind of thing that cut the ground clearance down. Mazda had true height. Inside is nicely laid out and the materials are decent quality for the class. I had read a lot of reviews of this car and there were several comments about road noise. Frankly, I dont know what they mean. Its not a Bently, but its more than reasonable. Could always be a tire issue. I got leather seats, Bose Sound, no navigation. So now to some critiques. Mileage is not as advertised. I really dont know how you get the miles they say without driving like your grandmother. You really cant drive like that with this car since the engine is geared high, must be to push the mileage, and it has other gas saving features. What that means is that, 1. You have to get used to the car sounding like marbles in a dryer when it starts up (for just about 1 minute so no big deal), but it is a little weird if you dont know it, and 2, you have to punch it more than you might be used to so it moves. Its a little hard to describe, but youll know it when you feel it, but you will get used to it. But when you do punch it, this car can move. Love the regular gas it gets. As far as comfort, the front seats are very comfortable, but I get complaints that the back seats are too upright. Mazda should give a reclining back seat like Nissan has. Another small thing is the center front console. I read one review where the guy complained it was too short for comfortable arm resting, and at least for my size, 511". he was right, it should be longer for a more ergonomic arm resting. Also, I would like the steering wheel to drop a little more, but not a biggy. The heated seats take a little longer to warm up than I would like, and the only other thing is the radio. Most reviewers complain that even the upgraded Bose doesnt sound so good and they are right, if you dont have a good HD signal. In HD, it sounds really good, in non HD, it is pretty lame for an upgraded system. So for all my negatives, I like to think of them as constructive criticism, I really love to drive this car. If you are a driver, if handling, good (not great) economy, great pickup (just with some extra pedal) are important, great styling, this is the right crossover. Bottom line, it is for drivers. se

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  2007 Mazda3 - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By Jennifer Galloway - June 13 - 6:16 am

  I have been very happy with the reliability, power, and comfort of this car but disappointed with the poor fuel economy.

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  Great car, when everything works... - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By perrito - June 11 - 12:23 pm

  I am overall quite pleased with my 2004 Mazda3 5 door with automatic. I would agree with others that the manual may be a safer choice; my automatic just died with only 13,000 miles on it - very unusual. And it stranded us between Colorado Springs and Denver. It handles nicely, is quiet (with replacement tires), and has a great, functional interior. I love the steering wheel controls; use them all the time. Its a fun car, but this automatic problem, and an early ignition fault, make me doubt the long-term reliability of the Mazda3.

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  So fun to drive BUT - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By electricmicey - June 10 - 2:09 am

  Ive been driving my CX5 Grand Touring for a few months and have put a few thousand miles on it. It is a fun, peppy CUV and great for hauling kids, the huge family dog and loads of stuff around town and beyond. It handles all sorts of terrain well and sits firmly on the road. The suspension is definitely a little firm but it doesnt ride like a truck. The navigation system is quite low tech, and some of the finer details are neglected. One huge issue for my family right now is the discovery that the rear seats dont recline...a deal breaker on a long haul road trip for a kid in a booster seat. The cx5 is not for the seeker of oversized storage compartments to stash stuff.