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:

• 

  mazda es mpv 2001 - 2001 Mazda MPV
  By Heidi - August 16 - 10:00 am

  I am not very happy with my mazda mpv es. The "leather" is mostly vinal. The seats are SO uncomfortable. I wish Id have taken a longer test drive. After only 2 mths of owning it, I am ready to sell. I think its a good quality, but not all the "bells and whistles" compared to the competition. The 2002 has much improved features.But I am very disapointed with the "trade in value" if I sell it, I will have lost 3k in 2 mths! And I paid 5k UNDER sticker and 3k UNDER cost!! That tells me that it is NOT holding its value well at ALL! My mazda only has 1k miles!!

• 

  Not quite nice... - 2001 Mazda 626
  By nyhel - August 6 - 3:13 am

  Ok, so this isnt the best investment Ive ever made. Ive had to take the dumb thing back to the shop every few weeks for some repair or another. The transmission is rough on the shifting and burns the fluid quite fast. The handling is poor and even though the shop said the suspension is good I seem to feel every bump I go over, not to mension the car drifts while being driven. I make sure to keep up on all preventive maintence but it doesnt seem to be enough.

• 

  Good for 30,000, then all heck breaks loose - 2011 Mazda Mazda3
  By lunaris - June 27 - 10:08 am

  I dont generally review cars, but my experience with this vehicle was so horrible that I felt motivated to counter some of the shameless praise the Mazda 3 receives on this website. To put it bluntly, my Mazda 3 was a troubled vehicle. It was loud from the first day (I knew it would be), but the noise level rose as time passed. The tires wore down very quickly, and were extremely expensive to replace. But, what ultimately killed me was the clutch. Just over 41k miles, the clutch began acting up. I know a fair bit about cars and realized what it was immediately. Come to find that the clutch is a chronic issue for this car -- with many failing far earlier. And even at 15 or 18k, Mazda...

• 

  Worst Car Ever - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By 524dnx - June 9 - 9:09 pm

  I have been driving Hondas for 30 years. I purchased the Mazda 2 years ago. The turbo just went out and Mazda wont honior the warrantly because there is "sludge" in my engine. The Mazda dealership told me to replace the entire engine at a cost of $9000. I have 60,000 miles on it. Regular maintenance and use synthetic oil but since I did not have my oil changes done at the dealership the dealership wont cover it either. Also, I bought it used and did think to ask for copies of the oil changes from the previous owner and without those, I cant prove the oil was changed every 3,000 miles.

• 

  Was Not Happy - 2006 Mazda MPV
  By brandij - May 16 - 7:56 pm

  Well my mom had purchased this van a year prior with a new kid on the way I was excited to be a minivan owner. It was a really late night when they do those crazy specials at midnight!? I didnt test drive it because Ive been driving my moms for quite some time, got it home to notice that our van had NO REAR AIR!!! I couldnt believe they made vans without it! My moms came standard with it, didnt realize it was missing til the next morning when it was freezing cold taking our 2 young kids out!! Ive had to put fans in the back to just get by in the summer. It is brutal. I was very upset that the sales people sold it they had to know!! will never go back again!!!

• 

  Sorry I brought a Mazda - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Kim - May 13 - 7:13 pm

  Since I had this car its been in the shop about 7 times already included the recall. The biggest problem was the replacing the Turbo Charger it has excessive wichage through its internal seal. This is a brand new car. Remember I only had this car for 9months.My first car was a Mazda Triubet truck. This is my first brand new car. I didnt want to go back o a use automotive. I problemly shoud had went to a use one. Now owning thi car I dont fill proud about my new car I fill hurt.

• 

  I will think twice before I buy this car - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By danyex - April 9 - 3:53 pm

  I will think twice before I buy this car, This is the worst investment I ever made to buy this car. Since when I purchase this car I was not happy and in same way NOT SAFE with this car, Im not sure I will get whatever I want to go. After 1 mo my Warranty was expire the transmission went bad. Sorry but I will fix this car and I will be done. No more junk.

• 

  Dont Buy or Get Rid of it! - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By jrw80 - March 15 - 9:33 pm

  Bought new in 07/2006, 07 Touring model, AWD,loaded. Like the looks of the car. Real trouble began after 70,000 miles. Had VVT and timing chain replaced, $2500, Mazda rep literally said sorry nothing we can do about it. Shouldve got rid of it right there. Started to use a lot of oil afterwards, still not Mazdas problem. Got another year out of it before an ignition coil went bad on a trip and then only to find no compression in one of the cylinders. This car is a bad engine design. If you have on get rid of it before the miles go up, dont buy a used one if youre looking.

• 

  DESIGN FLAW WITH ENGINE - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By nicho1 - March 5 - 11:21 am

  VVT, TURBO CHARGER, TIMING CHASITY AND AC have been replaced 2 times since 2008. do not waste your money or time on this vehicle regardless of how fun it is to drive

• 

  Gettin out of mazda 6 - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By cristiana - February 18 - 10:00 am

  My husband and i purchased this car 6 months and 9,400 miles ago. For us it was the BIGGEST MISTAKE EVER!!! There is so much noise,brakes,steering,suspension,driver door...not to mention the squeeling from the belts,and the brake dust,which is outragous!! But dealer says brake dust,belts....everything is normal!!This was our first Mazda, but im afraid it might be our last,especially since it is in PERFECT condition fully loaded with everything and the dealer only once to give us 13,000!!!I know every car deppreiates, but 10,000 in six months!! I guess it is time to go back to HONDA!!!