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:

• 

  Watch out for bad paint on Mazda5 and no warranty coverage! - 2014 Mazda Mazda5
  By stowevter - August 7 - 4:06 am

  We have a Mazda5 Sport with only 22,000 miles. The paint around both front wheel wells has flaked off to bare metal. And, the paint along the rocker panels on both sides and up the doors 12-18 inches has also flaked off, ruining the finish. Mazda refuses to cover the repair of this and says that something on the roads "back east" used for snow removal caused the paint to fail. Unbelievable but they wont cover a fix. I have filed an arbitration claim with the Better Business Bureau. Beware of Mazda cars "back east" -- they have a paint adhesion problem! see site: my mazda sucks dot com

• 

  tremble - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Cap - July 27 - 11:13 am

  Couple months into my purchase i noticed the car starts to shake. The rear shock then went so i got it replaced but the shaking has continued. Its nothing violent but just noticeable enough to be really annoying, especially for a brand new car. I took it in again and they said i had tar on the tire..Well i have since had the tires rebalanced and rotated but it still shakes..It may even be the engine cause it shakes a little bit at idle..I dont know if its just my mazda or if this is just how the car drives. What i do know is that once the warranty is up, i am getting rid of it cause i dont trust it. It gets about 24-26 mpg btw..

• 

  Make passenger compartment bigger - 2006 Mazda Tribute
  By richard - July 25 - 12:40 pm

  I love the vehicle, however it is clear the vehicle is built for women and small men. I am 6 ft, 220 pounds and to be honest, I dont fit in the drivers seat. My shoulders are jammed against the door and the hip room is adequate but snug. This vehicle is not for most American men.

• 

  Lemon - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By willie makeit - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought my fun to drive, eye appealing Mazda6 in early 2003,but Im very upset and disappointed with the mechanical build quality of my Mazda6. Ive owned this yellow "lemon" for 1 year and its been at the dealer several times. Let me enlighten everyone with a little history. Ive taken the lemon to the dealer on three diffrent occassions for coolant leaks (repairs made to diffrent areas in the cooling system), knock sensor (replaced) and not to mention the factory recalls within this past year.

• 

  2002 Millenia - 2002 Mazda Millenia
  By alwayssunny - July 10 - 9:18 am

  I got this car with 137k miles on it and kept it for almost 5 years. This is a luxury car and is expensive to repair. I recommend financing a certified car if you want this. Something had to be changed every few months and it usually cost north of $1000. I spent around $2000 (and even more) every year to keep this car on the road. Parts are overpriced ($330 per engine mount is insane and there are 4 of them!). The check engine light is a huge issue with this car. As it ages, many exhaust components need to be changed (vacuum lines, egr port, catalytic converters, o2 sensors...the list goes on). I can only recommend this car to a mechanic or someone with deep pockets. It loves maintenance.

• 

  SkyActive Transmission is the fatal flaw, would not recommend or buy again - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By jeisensc - July 7 - 7:49 pm

  The SkyActive Automatic Transmission is, in my opinion, never in the correct gear. I ordered my CX-5 AWD GT when I returned my 2010 Mazda3 lease in April, it arrived May-end, almost killed me twice within a week. I opened a case with Mazda customer service in June when it was less than a week old. Im still having issues 4500 miles in, and refuse to drive it out of town. Mazda is still working with me, but slowly. I am scheduled to bring it in (again) to download the onboard computers data, then they will order and attach a data capture device, I will note when the issue occurs, then they can analyze the data. I feel like Im beta testing their 32k SUV.

• 

  Just not that into you - 2007 Mazda Mazda6
  By Mark - July 6 - 6:20 am

  I bought this car around a year ago. Before buying the car I did read a lot of reviews. Three things stick out in the Mazda 6 I have found to be true. 1) the road noise is very obvious 2) the car seats are not comfortable 3) the interior is nice, but is made of much lower quality than Toyota or Honda. I have had a lot of trouble with the rims. The low profile style, creates the perfect storm for bending or cracking a rim. Which I have already done twice. If I could do it all over again I would not buy Mazda at all. Instead (unfortunately) I would go with a Nissan, Honda or Toyota.

• 

  Should have gone with a Honda! - 2007 Mazda Mazda6
  By wjw9075 - June 30 - 2:10 pm

  I bought the Mazda6 as a replacement for a Mazda3. The mazda6 was my first brand new car. I love how it drives, and handles! Zoom Zoom... but at 11,500 miles I had the transmission replaced. At 13,000 I am having the transmission fixed, and the front suspension fixed. Sound strange to you? I live in a big city, no backwoods dirt roads, just city pavement. I am so upside down in this car, that I could never get out of it at this rate. I am about to bite the bullet and trade it in anyway, for a Honda. I hope no one else is having these problems.

• 

  Can you say, "Recall(s)" - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By Pete - June 25 - 2:00 pm

  From the a month after buying, we had our first of now 5 recalls. I actually bought the 2003 model. Since then I have heard of no significant difference in the number of complaints to dealerships. The Tribute drives well around town and is built solid, but the engine proformance is horrible. Constant transmission problems. Dealerships are blaiming that on the non-Japanese built engine. The seats feel good at first, but after an hour, your rear end goes numb. Not a good road trip car. But around town, for the price, you cant beat it. I give it an average rating, all things considered. I recommendend paying an extra 2-3 thousand and getting more a SUV. I will never buy again.

• 

  A performance car that doesnt perform - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Sensitive car - June 25 - 3:00 am

  I have had my RX8 for 18 months and have been to the dealer MULTIPLE times with many different issues. First of all, let me say I love cars and I baby and care for them meticulously. I have had to have the car towed 2 times, I have had 3 flat tires, I have had all the spark plugs replaced, the brake shim kit replaced, and multiple trips to the dealership for recalls. To top it off I only have 8800 miles on the car. I bought snow tires for $900 because I live in VT. That was the least of the problems. It really did quite well in the snow. I am just sick and tired of being tied to the dealership due to constant problems. The car is just not reliable !