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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  Better 2nd Time Around - 2011 Mazda CX-9
  By tabjaxx - March 13 - 11:41 am

  Went from leased 2009 CX-9 Touring to 2011 CX-9 Touring and am pleased with the improvements Mazda has made. Biggest difference is the suspension; still sporty, but smoother over the bumps. More than enough power under the hood, but overall fuel economy of 19 mpg not the best. Speed-sensing door locks and rear camera are nice additions. Multi-Information Display is nice to look at, but not very functional; touch screen capabilities would be nice. All the orange lights on the dash display arent very attractive. Upgraded Bose stereo definately better than the average, especially in the bass range. Could use more leg room on the drivers side. Best bang for the buck for SUVs in class.

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  zoom zoom - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By martha phillips - March 13 - 5:06 am

  I have enjoyed every aspect of this car except the gas mileage. I bought the first model year, 2004, and its been perfect so far. No engine troubles, no performance issues. And the only interior issue is a little squeak the sun roof makes when its tilted open. Open it all the way and no noise. As promised, this car has been both practical and fun. Im thrilled. I drove it about 900 miles on a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle and it was surprisingly comfortable for the long haul. One other interior issue is the heat. They could stand better heat insulation around the drive train as the inside of the car gets quite hot and is tough to cool down, even with the AC blasting.

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  Fun to Drive, But More to Consider in Buying - 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Dr. James Poyak - March 12 - 6:01 pm

  Its a fun car to drive. Im 5 10" and if you are taller than me, this probably isnt the car for you. Its definitely tight quarters, which is OK when the top is down, but feels a little claustrophobic with the top up. Im still trying to learn how to manage the command control selections. It isnt logical compared to our Honda or Hyundai. The technology is pretty basic when compared with other cars we have owned in recent years. But if you are looking purely for a sports car that is fun to drive when the top is down, this is probably it. Just be aware of the limitations in the above mentioned areas and be sure to take one out for a test drive and only after you have finished driving, try to negotiate the instrument cluster and command control.

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  Anthonys Mazda6 review - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By Anthony - March 10 - 2:20 am

  I drove my Mazda 6from St. Louis to San Diego and back and its just what I expected. It has a very smooth shifting 6 speed automatic transmission and nice acceleration; the interior seems to get a little uncomfortable after a long period of time; the 200 watt Bose sound is awesome and easy to use. ItÂ’s the most fun car I have ever driven. This is a great car for people who enjoy driving or like to make it fun. I was amazed at how this car grips the road. I tried to throw it around a little bit but it kept griping the road so thatÂ’s great. I highly recommend this car for all driving conditions.

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  Only 1 day, but a +++ so far - 2014 Mazda Mazda6
  By rsteph4 - March 9 - 9:06 pm

  2014 liquid silver iTouring with auto. Replaces 2006 Cadillac CTS and 2010 Mazda3 sedan. Love it so far. Looked at 4 cars total (Camry, Altima, Sonata, and Mazda6) and for us the M6 beat out the rest, hands down. Of course, its a personal tastes thing, but I think the M6 was top line for both exterior and interior looks. Drives great. Not quite as snappy as the old M3 6-speed was, but it is bigger and heavier with, basically, same engine. Still, itll kick you back in the seat just fine. This is still first impression stuff since car barely has 100 miles on it, so well see how things are 6-months down the road. Still, dont think you could go wrong with this car.

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  Fun car. - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Tony Touch - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Im moving to Atlanta this fall for b- school so I needed to get a car. I started looking at the Mazda 3 when I read glowing reviews, and decided on buying one when my friend told me he could let me use his employee discount to get one. I love the european-styling of this car. People have mistaken it for the new BMW 3 Series, and I always notice drivers going the other way checking out the front end of this car. Its not as expensive as it looks. The flip side is that its not as fast as it looks. This car is a great value if you get it fully loaded. However, if youre just looking for a base model, you are probably better off in a Civic or Corolla.

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  Something different in this segment - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By byronape - February 25 - 11:25 pm

  I was searching for a mid-size car with decent power, nice looking, and a V6-MTX combo to replace my aged Maxima. The 6 fit the bill, and since its made in Michigan, I could keep my Ford retiree FIL happy. It had a little over 80k when it bought it, and had a few minor issues that I have yet to deal with. Almost a year after buying it, Im still pleased with the way the car drives and handles. The factory Bose system was terrible, so I swapped the speakers for aftermarket... fyi you need to swap the amp too or it will sound worse. Power isnt fantastic, but sufficient for keeping things interesting. Looks nice and with the leather and sunroof, it feels like a more expensive car.

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  Seriously good car - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By MrCowGod - February 23 - 10:00 am

  Awesome. Thats all I can say. Lots-o-low end torque to make a performance car drivable in the city. Loads of fun, to say the least, in quick turning mountain roads and the short shift is a beautiful thing.

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  for all mankind - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By anhichiban - February 21 - 2:56 pm

  A beautiful and friendly car, the RX-8 makes its mark on the road. A unique body style that is subtle but stands out in the crowd. It is everything you expect it to be with the except of 2 major points. Lack of torque, so when you floor the gas, you still feel like your cruising unless you are in the higher RPMs. Even then you do not feel much acceleration. Secondly, MPG. Sadly I get a consistent 13 mpg with a 45/55 highway/city driving style. Mildly better than my fathers Ford Expedition. These are my only complaints.

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  First Major Problem Occurs - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Traveling Consultant - February 17 - 2:20 pm

  This is 4th review. I still like my CX-7 despite, the fuel sensor light defect still arises when I punch it getting into the flow of traffic from entrance ramps. At 87,000 miles I had the a/c compressor unit go out while traveling and was forced to find a dealership out of state. Because my local dealer monitored the repair process, I was able to avoid being over-charged $700.00 for new unit. The suspect dealership made right the overcharges when I presented them retail charge pricing from the manufacturer. I do enjoy the sports car like driving demeanor, but think the ac system should have lasted much longer. I now have 91,000 miles and have put purchased my third set of tires.