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:

• 

  No more Hondas after driving this car - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By jake - November 23 - 4:26 am

  This car is great. Smooth ride for a smaller car, nice and zippy. Getting 27mph combined and hopefully better after a few thousand break-in miles.I have been a Honda guy forever, but this car beats any Honda I have driven. Good choice if you like a quick car that has some cargo space and better than average gas mileage.I was impressed with the suspension, soft for a smaller car, with a Honda you feel every little crack on the road.Love it!

• 

  99 MX-5, CONV,LTHR - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Mole - November 23 - 2:00 am

  Its obvious-fun car to drive. Needs more ummph off the line. High RPMs while fwy driving (4k@73mph) 6th gear should be OD. Economical (30mpg). Great build quality. Image?-everyone has an opinion when you buy this car ("mid-life crisis?" or gender specific pre-concieved notions as to ownership...could be regional?). Tight handling. Minimal trunk space. Useless cupholders. Roll bar should be option. Short throw shifter is A+. Overall great car. No regrets - Buy this car.

• 

  Tribute - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By FrenchTeacher - November 21 - 10:00 am

  I needed an economical SUV and wanted to buy a Honda. I ended up with the Mazda Tribute after finding the Honda dealers in my area unwilling to negotiate on price. Thinking I was accepting second best, I was thrilled and very suprised at the great performance from this economical four cylinder five speed. What a fun little jewel. Despite the four cylinder engine, the car is very peppy and really does ZOOOM,ZOOM ZOOM! I live in West Virginia where we have very steep hills...no problem!

• 

  Mazda Tribute LX 4X4 - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By PCFlorida - November 21 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this Suv 6 months ago. It is so much fun to drive,has pep & is stylish. But ,when you use the air conditioning it uses alot of gas. Also, the wind noise is very noticeable. The interior has a cheap feel to it. Leg room is limited, Especially when you put a childs booster seat in the rear.

• 

  M6 Good Car for Cheap Price - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By crzygosu - November 18 - 11:20 am

  I spent some time between the two and the three reasons why I went with the M6 was that (1) there were too many TSXs on the streets, (2) the M6 fully loaded was cheaper than the TSX I had in mind and finally (3) I wanted a V6 under hood instead of a wimpy I4. I know that TSX is a very good car, but the final deciding factor for me was the fact that too many of my friends already had that car. I wanted to go with something no one else had at my school, and so here I am with my M6 happier than ever.

• 

  Good Looking SUV with some quirks - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By TheGrip - November 18 - 8:23 am

  Owned this beauty over 4 years. Love the peppy engine and inside comfort. No major expenses except for new oil pan recently installed due to the nut stripping the aluminum housing. Expected much better gas mileage. Average 16-17MPG. Also wish it had a larger gas tank. Hard to find the ignition key hole at night. Developed a annoying noise in the rear hatch. With all that at 85,000 miles still happy with it.

• 

  Great Over the Long Haul - 4+ years - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By ameliacatz - November 15 - 12:36 am

  Ive had this vehicle for almost 5 years now and overall it has been great. Ive had very few problems and it has been economical to maintain. There have been a few recalls which were handled without problem. I did need to have the power sunroof repaired when it decided to stop closing, but it was under warranty and the dealer rushed me in without an appointment the day I called and Ive had no problems since. As to brake usage, Im still using the original set. At the 50,000 service they said it would need brakes next time. My 96 Chevy Blazer needed brakes every 20,000 miles! I just replaced the original tires a few months ago. Ive enjoyed driving the vehicle!

• 

  Warranty ran out & 1 thing after another - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By FLLawyer - November 13 - 5:03 pm

  Bought the car because of looks and the zoom, zoom, zoom when I accelerated. Then the dealership made a recommended adjustment on one of my visits (due to a grinding/rattle noise on sudden accelerations from day one) and the responsiveness was never the same. Right after the 5 yr warranty ran out, the dealership in St. Pete announced that the vibration I was feeling was the engine mounts being kaput. This was a known problem they got a bulletin on. Never told me. They quoted $700 to fix. We bought Mazda mounts from a dealership on line and Midas installed-total cost $300. Soon thereafter the airbag light went on. It flashes or stays on permanently. So got to take it in again.

• 

  Motor mount madness - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By One Man - November 12 - 6:30 pm

  We treat this vehicle like a princess, low mileage with good weather and fairly decent roads to drive on. Today we were told that the motor mounts need to be replaced, at a cost of almost $500. Its hard to believe that this is necessary with less than 25,000 miles on the car. Car or service department?? Would a shimmy in the front end warrant such drastic measures?? Nice car in appearance, but in my opinion does not ride comfortably nor does it seem to be very durable.

• 

  Excellent - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Tony - November 11 - 10:00 am

  This car has been a life saver in the past it is so affordable and very reliable. I love it. Over all A great car.