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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  Good value - 2002 Mazda 626
  By gw0454 - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Took advantage of some dealer incentives such as $2500 rebate which made the deal! Nice styling, very clean, well laid out interior. Gets me where I want to go in comfort.

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  Zoom - Zoom! - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Denise Martin - July 10 - 8:20 am

  I love this car! Its as stylish as any BMW but, your not paying that ridiculous price. I love the energy this car has. Its way too much fun to drive. Handles GREAT!

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  i love my car! - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By amanda - July 9 - 1:36 pm

  I purchased my Mazda 3 about 6 months ago and have had no problems with it to date. I have found the manual trasmission to be extremelly fun to drive. I think that the ride is much smoother than a civic or corrolla... and I love the unique exterior design!

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  A Faithful and Fun Car - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By Felix - July 8 - 1:00 pm

  I owned my Mazda 6 for almost 6 1/2 years before trading it this month. In all that time, the only mechanical problem I ever had with the car was a bad CV valve. I did however have several problems with interior quality, namely my hands wore holes through the leather coverings on the steering wheel and gear-shift knob. Talk about cheap. The headliner also started coming down after only 4 1/2 years. Finally, the pixels on the center console started fading out making it difficult to read. All that said, the car was very reliable and fun to drive. It handled very nimbly and dug into corners. Straight-line acceleration was lacking but it was a 4-cylinder. I would definitely buy it again.

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  Not too shabby - 2006 Mazda Mazda6
  By medman13 - July 8 - 4:49 am

  I have owned this car now for about 1 yr. I bought this when i decided to go back to school. It has an overall great design to it and gives a professional look when needed as well as a sporty look when needed. It is reasonable on gas however lacks desired power. The stick is fun to drive and shifts quite well, however an automatic would have been a better choice as an everyday driver in town. The car is said to be the poor mans BMW and holds true to that in many facets.

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  Great minivan! - 2000 Mazda MPV
  By moonkitty - July 6 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great van for us. Have the towing package. Pull the boat or the camper with no problem. Seems to have enough power although in Poconos on the hills a bit slower. The 3rd seat is great because it folds down. Also the ease in taking out one or two seats in the second row. With 3 kids we take out 1 seat in the second row to pack all our stuff and have even taken out both seats and have so much space.

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  Sporty.....but a letdown - 2006 Mazda Mazda6
  By Kevin Kells - July 5 - 7:30 am

  I have owned the Mazda6 since March now and put over 9,000 miles on it so far. Its a nice, sporty looking sedan but It needs some improvements. The engine sounds nice but in terms of power, its lacking. At 215hp stock, i am getting smoked by Accords, Camrys and other sedans. The car handles good, but the turning radius is horrible and the suspension will rattle your teeth when the road is bumpy. Front interior is roomy, but rear is very small. Gauges look nice but the dark lettering and colors could be hard to read sometimes at night. Interior feels cheap too. Overall its a decent buy, but for the money you can spend $3-4k more and get a Passat or a SE Camry.

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  Huge upgrade from the 2016 model---LOVE MY 2017 - 2017 Mazda CX-5
  By RL - June 26 - 1:32 am

  This is the best car I ever bought. Period. I said similar things about the 2016 CX-5, but They have completely re-designed the 2017 model. The interior upgrades are SO luxurious, the drive is ultra quiet, and Mazdas can definitely HANDLE the road. You will read some complaints about lack of power, but I find my CX-5 to be pretty peppy. I have driven the CR-V and the Rav-4 and they dont hold a candle to the CX-5. You owe it to yourself to get into one of these machines and give it a go!

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  Fun to drive, but not fun to fix - 2006 Mazda Mazda6
  By aperion05 - June 24 - 10:13 pm

  I got my Mazda 6 brand new a little over 2 years ago. I love this car. Its fast, handles great, comfortable, looks great, and I love the Bose stereo. Mazda has, however, really let me down. This car has been in the shop for warranty repairs six times! Ive had problems with the fuel pump, transmission, A/C and even the key fob. Im so torn. I love the car, and have unfortunately gotten to try others as rentals, but it is a huge hassle to keep getting repairs. When the warranty expires I dont know if Ill be able to afford such big repairs. Ive even met other people that had the same car and had the same problems. Overall, dont buy this year, and beware of other years.

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  Practical with style and handling - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By emRaleigh - June 24 - 5:30 am

  Its so easy to get in and drive. Mine has the Bose/tech package with moonroof. I didnt need the nav so the smallish screen doesnt bother me. Bluetooth hands free operation is easy and the media console is well laid out for use. The stereo beats that of my former 2007 G35. Im averaging 26.8 in mixed driving with high-octane gas. Rear seats fold flat and hatch hide cover removes easily to really load it up when you need to. I hauled a full sized mountain bike in their and only had to move the passenger seat forward a bit. Everything works. It brakes effectively and its generally a quiet ride at any speed. My 510" son fits in back with a couple inches to spare. Hard to beat the value.