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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  Not reliable or maybe not lucky!!! - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Sam - June 21 - 7:16 pm

  I bought the car 4 years ago. Recently, the engine started making a loud sound and it seems that it may cost me over $1200 to repair it (with only 86,000 miles on the engine). I was hoping to keep the car longer. At this level not sure if Im willing to spend that much money on a car thats only 4 years old. What would happen in few months if I fix the car! Would it brake again! This is a major maintenance for a car this new. So I would have to say that Mazda Protege5 is not a reliable car or Im an unlucky guy! I hope my comments helped.

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  engine stalled while driving 60 mph hwy - 1998 Mazda 626
  By T - June 21 - 1:20 pm

  I purchased this car last year from a private seller. 2 months after having the car, no more then 80,000 miles on it, the transmission went out. Beginning of April 2009 I drove it to Georgia. It handled the mountains very well. Now that I was confident in this car I allowed my 18 year old daughter to use the car to go approximately 118 miles out of town. On her trip back the engine stalled while she was going 60 mph on the highway..now it was towed today and I want to know what other safety hazards I must be aware of with this car. It was my first luxury car and it let me down and almost killed my first born. Where do I go to file a safety complaint? Others need to be aware of this danger!

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  Great Looking Car, but company does not stand behind it and build quality is poor - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By paul7410 - June 12 - 9:53 pm

  Plain and simple, if you are thinking of buying one - dont. Build quality is suspect. Company doesnt honor warranties. Company wont recall even when 1000s of customers have same issue, etc.

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  A car for an average driver to have fun! - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By Still Mazda fan... - June 5 - 3:56 am

  This car works marvelously. Steering and Breaks!!! are unseen in this class and up Altima/Solara level. As the car feels powerless, the above features are enhanced. However, the little things that makes a car luxurious lacks (3 speed wiper, no vanity lights, no arm rest etc.) If youre considering this car, you have to understand that youre paying the same or more than Carola/Sentra just for the steering and breaks. If you can live without power and the little things, you will love ES!!!

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  bad experience - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By stephen Lullmann - June 3 - 3:20 am

  2 recalls in 1st week of ownership, car totally unprepared for release requiring 2 return trips to dealer. Harsh ride, too noisy to enjoy Bose sound system, new front calipers within 1000 miles, uneven acceleration, not recommended for long trips. driver windshield wiper leaves large amounts of water on passenger side due to uncoordinated wiper movements.

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  Fun at First...but then - 2006 Mazda Tribute
  By brokken12 - May 31 - 1:50 pm

  When we first got the Tribute we really loved it. We got an extended warranty since we bought the car used. This was a good thing because wheel bearings, the 4WD shift controller, Rear Suspension where just some of the things that needed to be fixed in the first few months. We took on a trip through the Maritimes and it had lots of pick-up, no issues on climbing some hilly terrain or passing. The comfort inside was great, but the radio broke and cup holder kept coming off. The all leather interior on our model was great and easy to clean.

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  BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS! - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By DONT BUY A MAZDA 6 - May 22 - 1:50 pm

  I bought my 2003 Mazda 6S brand new. For starters, I had to get new rotors every 5K miles. They warped constantly. At 45K, I had a total of 8 new sets of rotors! They finally checked my calipers and found out I had a stuck caliper that was causing it. My transmission had to be replaced at 48K, as well as the transmission controller. The transmission started slamming from about 8K between 2nd & 3rd gear. This car has been nothing but a LEMON! I would NEVER buy another Mazda product. The dealership accused me of driving the car hard! I am not hard on a car. They could not figure it out so they tried to blame me.

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  Black smoke on SPEED3 - 2010 Mazda MazdaSpeed3
  By zoomzoom19 - May 20 - 2:10 am

  I bought this attractive, powerful turbo in early August. This was my first Mazda. Within a week, I noticed black carbon build up on entire rear of the car. The exhaust was covered in black soot. The engine performance seemed fine, but I noticed even after warming up, black smoke continued. I am very gentle with the car. Ive owned 7 cars in my 24 driving yrs & Ive never seen this. Dealership agreed when I returned to have them look at it. After diagnostic testing, they confirmed w/ USA Mazda that the car was operating in normal conditions. Mazdas customer hot line and technical service reps said the same. Im looking to return this car. I d believe its normal if it was diesel.

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  Regretingmypurchase! - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By bx2pa - May 12 - 5:22 pm

  I, too, have experienced the car self accelerating on its own. When breaking didnt stop the car, I had to put it into neutral and then park as the engine was screaming and car was shaking, all the while trying my hardest pushing the brake pedal. After 2 episodes, I am very skittish driving this SUV, just waiting for this to happen again. Dealer checked the car out and found nothing amiss. The car does these self accelerating moments intermittently. I also find that the brake and gas pedals are too closely positioned. Sometimes I clip the brake pedal as I move my foot to the gas pedal, causing the car to buck. What to do with a brand new SUV (and loan) that Im afraid to drive!

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  Looks pretty, but kind of clunky. - 2010 Mazda Mazda6
  By hazeley - May 9 - 1:10 pm

  I like the appearance of the vehicle from the outside, and the price was right when I bought it. However, I found I never really got comfortable in it, even after driving it for 3 years. Im almost 6 tall, and I felt like I was surrounded by dangerous blind spots. Its deceptively big, and kind of heavy and slow. The interior felt a little cheap, and its so low to the ground (around 5" of clearance), but also so long that I was frequently knicking the front bumper on the ground. In a storm, I drove through a puddle that wasnt even that deep, and two parts of the plastic covering attached with plastic bolts over the engine caught in the water and ripped off.