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 as good as toyota - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By alex_z - December 2 - 3:35 pm

  Have 5000 miles on it. I like interior, Bluetooth, steering, seats. Now about bad things: suspension sucks. Its o.k. for commuting and thats it. Took it for a long trip once and hate it now. It drives o.k. on a smooth road but once you go on a crappy one, your butt will feel every bump. Another bad thing about this car- its too low. I already hit the bottom a couple of times and now Im very careful. Visibility is o.k. but not as good as Corolla. I took my wifes old corolla for a 2000 miles trip last week, and its day and night in comparison of driving. Yes, Toyota sucks in interior and has only 4 speed auto, but much better in comfort. Take it on a crappy road before you buy it.

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  zoom zoom - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By sharon h. - December 2 - 10:00 am

  what a great car to drive! have the sports package mazda 6 and you dont drive the car, the car drives you. the handling of this car rivels anything that NASCAR has. it is just amazing. seats could be a little more comfortable for those longer trips. also the arm rest could be longer for us females that have to move the seat closer to the gas pedal.

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  Love my Mazda Tribute! - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By dbltrpl - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2004 Mazda Tribute.Had a long list of cars I wanted after I decided to give up the Minivan (teens all driving), the Tribute was the only one less than $45,000 MSRP, and it is WAY less. What a great value for the money! Every bell and whistle available for $24K!

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  RX-8 (Not so great) - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By JoeBone - December 1 - 12:43 am

  Ive been driving my RX-8 for about two months now...kinda disappointed. Not nearly as fast as my 350-Z. In fact, not even close. Hardly any torque off the line; you have to be in third gear to get any torque but it is impressive once you get going. Interior is kinda cool and Bose audio is very good. Enough room to take 4 people comfortably, as opposed to the Z which was horrible. Gas mileage is a joke; seems like 2 miles per gallon. I would not buy this car if I had it to do over again.

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  Great incentives on good truck - 2002 Mazda Truck
  By hsjrev - November 30 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 92 Toyota 3.0L 4x4 on the B4000 dual sport auto. The little things like switches, turn stalk, armrests, etc. are nicer in the 10 year old Toyota, but the Ford 4.0L is much smoother and nicer than the old 3VZ-E. The Mazda smooths out the bumps much better but has more body lean in the turns and I go a little slower on the onramps. I think the Tacoma is a better truck, but with the S plan purchasing program from work, and Mazdas incentives, the price was just too good to pass up.

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  whats not to like? - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By wkwood - November 30 - 10:00 am

  200 hp and ft/lbs of torque in a minivan that is 7/8 the size of its competitors. Zoom Zoom. So it fits in the garage nicely next to the sedan, and I especially like the passenger side windows that go down. If passengers want to wait in the car while I run in for somethingn they can. And its really quiet inside on the highway. What remains to be seen is reliability. Im a little concerned that its a ford duratec V6 under the hood, so well see.

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  Mazda LX 2wd - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By Danley2 - November 30 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed finally having an SUV. I found the price to be a very good value. I have only a few design peeves. 1) The gear shift is in the way of the radio controls while driving. 2) The child window lock option is great but when engaged, the driver cannot control the other windows without turning off the lock. 3) The foam molding under the windshield at the dash keeps popping back out from under the dash. 4) The side mirror control button is awkwardly placed making it hard to sit back and check mirror position while changing settings. 5) Fog lights should come on with running lights and not just with headlights on.

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  Great choice - 2009 Mazda Mazda6
  By montrealer2095 - November 30 - 9:52 am

  This is my second Mazda 6 and have been very happy with both. The 4 cyl engine is a bit wheezy, but I commute a long way each day and was a worthwhile tradeoff vs. the V6 to get the extra mileage, which is good but not great. My quibbles are a phantom squeak and the a/c isnt strong enough for those of us who live in the South. I was rear ended by a Camry a few weeks ago and the 6 lived up to its excellent crash ratings. Car was in decent shape and the Camry was a writeoff. No doubt this is the best value in its class.

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  Good family car - 2008 Mazda CX-9
  By AngelicPenguin - November 25 - 2:23 pm

  I wish I had noticed how loud this car was before I purchased. Also, the leather on the seats is not as nice as it could be. The AC seems to smell funny too and my "new car" smell left after only a week : (. I do love the keyless start. I consider it a safety feature because it keeps me from spending minutes in a dark parking lot searching for keys. I didnt get the nav. system but wanted a back-up cam so I had the rearview mirror cam installed and I love it!! The car is growing on me. Love the cargo room when third row is folded down.

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  Reliability Problems! - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By jdwilkin - November 25 - 10:00 am

  I had hoped that the good looks and performance of the Protege would be matched by Japanese reliability. No such luck. Had to replace engine (rod bearing)at 80k. Transmission repair at 81k. Have done rear brakes 3 times and rear links twice already - fronts once. (@ 94k now)Strut failed at 85k. Dealer and Mazda have both avoided any/all responsibility for problems...even while under warranty. Very dissappointing purchase.