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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  Avoid. - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Trex - October 31 - 10:46 am

  The car is really loud inside. No need to opt for the upgraded stereo because its really poor -you can tell when the car is parked. When the car is moving, you cant hear anything anyway. The interior and exterior trim are so cheap and flimsy. When you are shopping dont be afraid to tug on these bits and youll see what I mean. be gentle in case there is a break it you own it policy. I get 19.2 mpg combined, which is appalling for a modern 4 cyl 3000 Ib car. The seat is too small for me (front), Im 57", 140 Ibs. The lights are worthless, cant see anything- I could go on but Im getting tired -in short, please dont waist your hard earned $$.

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  Best daily grind car - 2000 Mazda 626
  By Playfirst - October 10 - 3:30 am

  Very comfortable, engine buzzy at 75 mph, slow pick up - dont even bother to rev it past 3500 rpms, handles great, avg. 27.5 mpg mostly city driving. Awesome car for a practical lifestyle. I love it - best beater, daily grind car!

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  Dont Bother - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By carsbite - October 4 - 5:17 pm

  Automatic transmission died at 110,000 miles. This is pretty unacceptable for anyone looking for reliable transportation considering cars from most other makers dont have this problem. I baught this car used and did my research. I got it well taken care of and I continued regular maintenence(all fluids regularly changed including trans fluid) Changed timing belt and water pump etc. There were some minor repairs like the alternator and an intake hose too. But then the transmission started slipping and I took it to a mazda specialist. He said this was unfortunatly a common problem for these cars.

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  Dont Buy - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By dontlikeit - September 1 - 1:29 pm

  Leased a 2015 CX-5 from Pugi and wished I didnt. Had to jump-start it 4-times over the last month. Car would go dead sitting. Dealership said the battery & electrical systems were fine. Then the car self accelerated on its own & breaking didnt disengage it. Had to put it in neutral as the engine was screaming in high rpms trying to disengage by stomping on the accelerator pedal. So now they want to put a black-box recorder in to see if it happens again. Could be to late and end up fatal. Would you want to be the lab rate waiting for your death? Talked to Mazda DM and said "the buck stops here" and thats what we are offering. We have no confidence in the Mazda product or the dealership..

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  Worst product ever presented - 2004 Mazda MPV
  By Gabriel - August 20 - 7:33 am

  My wife and I purchased this vehicle roughly two years ago. This vehicle has been in the shop 6 times since we purchased it. It has a broken catalytic converter, bad fuel injectors, bad wheel bearing, bad water pump, bad transmission, bad transmission mounts, bad engine mounts. This list goes on and on. Weve put over $8000 in this car that isnt even worth $3000. It has been the worst investment that weve ever made in our 24 years of existence. I hope that theyre able to remedy these problems because I cant believe that these cars are even on the road.

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  Never buy a Mazda - 2008 Mazda Tribute
  By mlloyd1986 - August 9 - 4:25 pm

  This car a crap. Within the first week of buying this car the paint had already started chipping. Had to bring it in to Mazda and they corrected the paint job. The seat belts went for no reason at all. Mazda ended up replacing the all four seat belts. The transmission went while I was on the highway going 60 mph and I only had 51,000 k on my tribute. Then my car wouldnt stop stalling and it was because my radiator was leaking coolant. That ended up having a recall and they replaced that TOO. This car is junk. Everything is wrong with it. As far as Im concerned this car is unsafe. They should invest most care and money into this car instead of constantly fixing its non stop problems.

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  Never again - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By never again - July 10 - 11:40 pm

  I, like others, purchased this car because of its sleek look. It started with problems with the engine which the dealership wanted to replace. Unfortunately Mazda, the corporation ,decided it was my fault that the engine was faulty and declined all repairs. Even though, I have had all maintenance repairs(oil change, tune ups, etc) done at the mazda service center ever since I purchased the vehicle. The sad part is that the car is still under warranty and they would not honor the warranty. I even got a call from thier rep. who told me they would not honor the warranty. When asked if he could put this in writing he declined. To anyone who is thinking about buying this car..One word..DONT.

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  Never buying a Mazda again. - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By kmdw - July 3 - 10:39 am

  My wife bought her CX-7 used with around 40,000 miles. Timing chain broke at 60,100 miles. No check engine light until car actually stopped running (in passing lane on busy interstate). Mazda is replacing the engine right now, no questions asked, despite her not being able to find all her oil change receipts. I suppose we have to thank everyone else before us who had this problem and complained, otherwise wed be in the same boat. This thing apparently develops other problems that we dont want to to have to deal with, so as soon as its fixed, were trading it in!!!

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  I got a lemon - 1999 Mazda 626
  By saint - June 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 1999 626 new in 1999. At only 50 miles I had to bring it in because it needed an entirely new timing belt system. It only got worse after that. My car was in and out of the shop so often that I could have claimed under the FL lemon law if it had been in the shop one more day. I think part of the problem was the inadequate dealer service shop and bad luck. I had bought this car based on its reliability. I am trading tomorrow and I wont miss my car.

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  DontDoAnRX8 - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By UnhappyRX8Owner - June 16 - 10:36 pm

  I owned an RX-7 and loved it. I thought the RX-8 would be comparable but was wrong. The car has been towed 5 times in the last six months, the battery has been replaced and Mazda said "the batteries installed initially were not strong enough for the car" The car floods and need to sit for "days" before its operable again. If you live in the north east or anywhere it snows, you can kiss you Mazda 8 goodbye until spring, if theres a slight dusting of snow I cant get it out of the driveway. The only silver lining here (if it is really, is that I lease the car and I get to dump it back in Mazdas lap where it belongs.