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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  I hate this car. - 2007 Mazda Mazda6
  By Don - November 9 - 6:36 pm

  This is a car built for teenagers, not for a big (not fat) man over 50. Real world driving does not require seats that pinch your legs and shoulder blades to the point of pain. Red lights on the dash at night may be cool in a fighter jet but if youve become far sighted you will not be able to focus on them. Dont expect to carry any hanging clothes because the hook is too close to the drivers seat and the air bag wont work if you hang things on the grab handle. Does anybody really have room for this totally insane key on a keyring? Besides, $250 to get another, can you say ripoff? And the mileage isnt as good as they say either. Ill unload this turkey even if it costs me thousands!

• 

  Replacement for my 2001 Nissan Sentra - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By kim - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I have a ES fully loaded and really love everything about this car. I liked my Sentra but this car has got it beat (looks, ride, handling). I was originally looking at the Honda Civic but after driving the Mazda - there is no comparison. The 3 year 50,000 mile warranty and price is better too.

• 

  Replacement for my 2001 Nissan Sentra - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By Kim - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I have a ES fully loaded and really love everything about this car. I liked my Sentra but this car has got it beat (looks, ride, handling). I was originally looking at the Honda Civic but after driving the Mazda - there is no comparison. The 3 year 50,000 mile warranty and price is better too.

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  Mazda 3s GT Hatch is fun - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By RS - November 9 - 4:20 am

  I have enjoyed the car for 5 months and over 7000 miles. On a 7 hour drive the car proved comfortable and peppy. Fitted heated side view mirrors. Overall mpg 21-26, which is okay. The car feels steady on highways - does not sway. Overall a very good car. Mazda should shorten the rear bumper depth and may be improve trunk space or the rear seat space by a few more inches.

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  ZOOM ZOOM! - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By BigRed - November 9 - 12:00 am

  I love this car! I traded in my 02 Focus for it, and would never go back to a Ford. This car is so much fun to drive, great gas mileage, and some people even thought it was a BMW!

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  Sport Utility Wagon - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By HotRodSaint - November 8 - 7:16 am

  I wanted a vehicle that was fun to drive and was flexible in its cargo carrying capacity. The manual transmission Mazda5 fit this bill perfectly.

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  Great Vehicle - 2008 Mazda CX-9
  By deltaromeo - November 8 - 5:43 am

  This is our first Mazda. It is a new 2008 and has slightly less than 1000 miles. So far, we are very pleased with the performance. We are getting about 17.2 mpg with City/highway driving. The third seat is great for the grandchildren. As you would anticipate for a big car, the acceleration is a bit sluggish and the fuel mileage is nothing to brag about. The CX-9 qualifies as a luxury vehicle.

• 

  Obsidian Pearl - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By mcspoo - November 7 - 10:40 pm

  Sleek. Fast. Comfortable. I got a great price on this. CX-7 was not a vehicle I was looking for, but stumbled upon. It drives so smooth I end up over 80mph before I know it. At least, smoother than the Jeep Liberty I traded in for this. You cannot believe how much power the engine has until your drive it. Interior functionality is much better than the Liberty. Wish it had a better stereo (4 speakers, distorts when loud). Still waiting to see the real gas mileage. Massive dashboard and front window takes some getting used to.

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  Pretty good bang for the buck - 2009 Mazda Mazda6
  By tonyryder - November 7 - 4:50 pm

  Looked at Honda Accord, Chevy Malibu, Toyota Camry, Lexus IS 250 and others before purchasing my 2006 Mazda6 (GT model in Canada - V6, leather, sunroof, NAV system) in April 2009 and in my opinion this car offered the best value in its class. The pick up is amazing with hardly any torque in the steering wheel at all. Styling is absolutely gorgeous, people are mistaking it for all kinds of other high-end cars and are surprised that it is a Mazda. Interior space is very generous and comfortable, but the drivers seat bolster feels as if its cutting off the blood supply to my left thigh causing me to shift my butt all the time. Very large trunk with room for 3 to 4 good size suitcases.

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  Lots of room to PERFECT, not improve. - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By ericrsmith - November 7 - 8:03 am

  I LOVE my car. This is my third Mazda. My wife refers to it as "the other woman." I could have bought more car when I bought this one, and that will only become more true in the future, but I cant picture myself without this car. There is not a car made for under 35,000 that I would even trade this car for. The car handles like a champion and is wicked fun to drive. It is a beauty and has drawn countless compliments. It has proven to be reliable and inexpensive to maintain. Several friends have compared it favorably or even directly to a BMW 3 series. All of that said, read the laundry list of suggested improvements below.