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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  Fun with a few flaws - 2011 Mazda Mazda2
  By dp1 - June 23 - 10:00 am

  Bought this to replace a 12 year old clunker. I love driving the car. The engine does feel peppy. The lower horse power forces you work the gears. The shifter and gear box are great -- exactly what I expect from Mazda. It is always fun to drive a slow car fast. I bought the base Touring model. It had all the features I wanted; cruise, upgraded stereo, trip computer, etc. I would love to see a center console. I have no where to put my right arm on longer freeway drives.

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  How is a car this cheap this good - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Will W - June 23 - 10:00 am

  I have had six - yes, six - Mazda 3s. All were manuals. Four were 3i and two 3s. 5 sedans and now this 2010 3s hatchback. There are not enough superlatives to describe how this car drives. Not a better manual tranny/clutch combo on the planet for cars under 40 grand. Definitely, the best car for the buck Ive run into in my lifetime and Im 62. One can only remark: "How can a car this good be so cheap." Buy this car for the suspension, the tranny, the clutch, the brakes, the steering, the handling, the cornering and to heck with everything else - it doesnt matter. thats enough! All one need do is upgrade the tires and you have an econo-box supercar.

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  Zoom Zoom 2.5L Style - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Evans Zoom Zoom - June 23 - 10:00 am

  Coming from a mid-size V-6 sedan I was concerned if I would be able to adjust to a smaller car w/ 4-cyl engine. After 7 weeks and 1500 miles I have no more worries about this. The front seats are comfortable and will be fine for most people as long as youre not too tall or heavy. The rear seats are only good for SMALL people or pets. This car has a lot of bang for the buck--tight build quality, well balanced ride, lots of features and good quality materials throughout the vehicle. It looks more expensive than it is--especially the "s" models with the 2.5L engine which have upgraded interior and exterior materials and features.

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  Not bad - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Mike - June 22 - 11:03 pm

  Handling is good on this car. Ive had it for about 3000 miles nows and am very impressed with cornering and acceleration. Had to go to dealer to get engine light checked out once.

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  A cure for the common Camry - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By Brad - June 22 - 6:43 am

  This car is a first class ride! Of all the family sedans available, only the Nissan rivals it for good looks and no other brand comes close to Mazdas excellent sports tuned suspension. Add a well-designed interior, supremely comfortable seats, and you have a car that rises above the ordinary. My wife and I test drove a Camry and found it to be a quiet car with neutral handling characteristics. When we took the Mazda out for a spin, we found that the Mazda 6 not only accommodates small families but does it with a good dose of fun. The 4-cylinder engine is adequate with the strong acceleration above 3 thousand RPM. The mileage is acceptable if not the best in its class.

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  Not bad at all! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Benny D. - June 20 - 9:00 pm

  Ive had my hatchback for about a month now and I like it very much. The red paint is gorgeous, unlike that cheap wall-paint you see on GM cars. The sporting character of the car (styling, handling, overally dynamics) makes it a great value, especially for its price range. The interior is very functionnal, precise, comfortable, simple and stylish. Engine output is only adequate - and this is the 2.3- liter. I can only imagine what the 2.0-liter feels like! However, I must admit that midrange thrust is surprising. Windows have a weird clanking noise when coming back up. Fuel economy isnt the best out there. Interior materials hard to clean. There are too many on the road!

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  Like a Wagon - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By jjimbo - June 20 - 7:46 pm

  The 2007 Mazda 3i seems to have a great mix of speed, style, and sporty looks for its class. The car is very fun to drive and looks double the amount that it was in 2007. Two flaws that the car has is the super stiff suspension that feels like a wagon on the open trail. The other problem is the bodys integrity. The sheet metal is very soft and the plastic seems to be so cheap that it looses color after 5 years.

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  Best car I have owned to date - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By DarylJ - June 19 - 5:03 am

  This car suits my needs perfectly. Has the cleanest running engine. The oil is clean every time I check it. Great gas mileage! Highest was 37 mpg on a long trip. Lowest was 27mpg. I get around 30 normally. Great gas mileage means less muscle which is the better trade off for me (2.0L). Because of this the manual version is the way to go. Sporty suspension and tight turning radius makes for great handling (better than my Eclipse). Handles well in snow. Interior spacing is perfect.

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  Debugging for Mazda - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By BJHARLEY - June 19 - 2:00 am

  All said, its a really nice ride though not perfect. So far (3K miles) replaced Oil Pan & Sensor, AC amplifier, 2 interior panels and had to remove the pass front seat to fix plastic trim. It left me stranded once...flooded. Costs as much to run as my Expedition. But it handles great, Looks great and the concept is very exciteing. A real head turner.

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  Typical Automatic Issues? - 1998 Mazda 626
  By Pat M - June 18 - 2:30 pm

  Bottom line is I love the car. I must. Ive owned it for over 10 years, and am only now deciding to sell. But, transmission #3 is issuing signals, and the pre-cat went out years ago. The pre-cat triggers the chk eng light, then the light goes out in a couple of weeks. Not really an issue, just an annoyance. We also lost a lot of weather-stripping around the doors. I re-hung it. But I think it needs more than just an adhesive to really do the job. After two years, we also have two dash bulbs out. Makes it a pain to use the heater when you cant real the dial. But I still have the car, so it isnt all bad. A very fun car to drive, even with low power.