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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  not the best car - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By blaze h - February 18 - 12:03 pm

  I bought my 6s as a repo from a bank. And ever since the brakes are shaky and theres a strange clicking sound coming from the motor that I have been told was a tension pulley and some grease will fix it. But it has 160k miles and its burning oil and I dont know why. Im thinking its the pcv valve but Im not sure. But Im constantly putting oil in it. Oh and my air intake tube is broken in half. And my mechanic duck taped it. So I need a new one soon.

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  Smooth and agile - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By koocct - February 17 - 1:23 am

  Purchased a 2003 Mazda6 s Sport with roughly 40k on the clock, onyx black. Exterior design still excites; truly a great-looking car. Interior design is good, but has a lot of cheap touches that scratch and wear out. 5-speed manual gearbox is a bit notchy and could have shorter throws, but a lot of fun overall. Suspension is nice and firm without being painful, but those looking for a Camry-like soft ride should look elsewhere. Steering is too light at low-speeds, but tightens up nicely as the car picks up speed. V6 lacks low-end power, but once the tach hits 5k the exhaust and the engine open up for some good force. Car understeers predictably; easy to control.

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  What a great car! - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By dave snell - February 17 - 12:56 am

  I have owned my new silver 6s with sports package and manual transmission for 2 months now and I am very happy. The only things I can fault it for is the turning radius and it can be difficult to launch in 1st gear because of the lack of torque. However once this car is off the line it is a hoot to drive. It handles superbly at speed and the engine comes alive at 3500 rmp. As a younger man I was a Datsun 510 lover, and this car takes me back to the fun days of rowing gears and tossing the car around turns. It is also the best looking car in its class (imo). Compared to the Accord, Camry or Altima this car has so much more personality and fun to drive factor. Why drive something boring?

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  Love the efficiency, oh and zoom zoom 2 - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By Ransom - February 15 - 7:26 am

  My new employer allowed me to pick out, negotiate, and purchase the vehicle I wished to use for company traveling. My ultimate choice was between Honda CR-V, and the Mazda CX-7. The Mazda won out because it drives like a sports car, has four doors, and loads of space for carrying work related marketing/sales equipment. I love it, its awesome to drive and averages over 20 mpg with lots of zoom zoom zoom.

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  Renisis Rocks - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Barielle - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my RX-8 for about nine moths now and the thing is a blast. I have read some of the reviews and, of those that are critcal,try to drive the car as it is designed to be driven. I first bought the third gereration twin turbo version, R1. This car was blisteringly fast, expensive,and a whole lot of fun. If you took a year learning to drive it you would only have to watch out for was 911s. The car was not practical for anything other than autocross type driving. Also, Mazda service was clearly off guard and provided poor service. The RX-8 so far has most of the benifits of that technolgy without many of the problem. The RX-8 seems to be a great sucessor to the 7 and I really love it.

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  2.3L Engine Prone to Failure - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By mazdaharp - February 13 - 5:59 am

  Ive owned this car since day one. It is 9-1/2 years old and 103,000 miles on it. Ive done all scheduled maintenance at the dealer. Ive had a problem for a few years where this car has been chewing through oil but no one could out where it was going (no leaks, no visible burning, no blown head gasket). Im adding about a quart every 750 miles. Insane. I finally took it to another dealer with a better service department when the first failed to identify the problem. The piston rings have failed. The only solution... a new engine for $7,200. The more research I do, the more I see this is a common problem but Mazda is refusing to acknowledge it.

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  Great little car - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By thetejon - February 12 - 5:40 pm

  Ive put about 4600 miles on this car, and I love it. All my complaints so far are pretty trivial - a little too much engine noise, the interior clock isnt that accurate . . . nothing to keep you from buying the car. Before buying, I read reviews that mentioned excessive brake noise - I test drove a couple of 3s, and the brake noise only occurred in the automatic. I was really unimpressed with the automatic - it felt sluggish compared to the manual. I get good mileage - average 23-27 MPG driving in traffic in Northern Virginia, and I dont drive it gently. I averaged over 31 for the tank during a weekend trip spent doing a lot of driving on country highways.

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  Rotar-heads first rx-8 - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By waterproofone - February 11 - 7:23 am

  Ive owned 4 rx-7s. Only one of which was a lemon because I purchased from a friend and it was not well taken care of. I love the rotary engines and they have all been great. As long as you make sure the oil is filled with quality oil and the coolant is full all of the time you should be fine. The Rx-8 is less of a car in some manners and more in other areas than the rx-7. I love them both but think the rx-7s had more character to them. They were simpler and not so many sensors and design flaws. I hate the gas mileage and some of the rattles inside but the car so far is good. I have had it in the shop to repair many things/rattles and other things and so far they have not complained.

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  I love it - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By gailnicko - February 11 - 5:33 am

  i really enjoy driving the car, the seats are very comfortable. I dislike the headrests, which cannot be utilized while on trips (they need to be extended forward). Service visits have been the minimum for almost 2 years that I have owned it.

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  Complaints - 2011 Mazda CX-9
  By krayj - February 10 - 5:13 pm

  A few items are rather [violative content deleted]: 1. The power rear lift gate does not operate by squeezing handle. It is only power open by using the remote or the switch inside the car. 2. The memory seats do not include side mirrors. 3. You can not enter a single contact in the bluetooth phone book. 4. There are no audible sensors with the backup camera. 5. Freeway speed limits are not shown on GPS Seems to me a so called "Grand Touring" car should include these items.