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:

• 

  my zoom-zoom - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By amy/jared - March 6 - 10:00 am

  I recently owned a 1997 Jeep Wrangler I loved my jeep dont get me wrong but do you remember going to a ball game or better yet a concert? well you have to yell the same way when you are in one. I bought my MAZDA in August I love it. The drive is smooth and better yet the room and gas mileage is completely awesome, My first car ever was a mazda 626 now im back and its nicer, faster and more beautiful than ever. The options are great& the payments arent too bad! well they say "its a jeep thing you wouldnt understand!" I owned one and still dont. guess some of us are made to yell and others well Id rather listen to country than metal if u get it!

• 

  I love my Car - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By charlotte - March 6 - 10:00 am

  I looked at the mazda 6 since they first came out and finally got it. Its exactly what i wanted.

• 

  Mixed Bag - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Bobby - March 6 - 2:56 am

  I am easy on my vehicles and drive them for 10-12+ years. I hope this car passes the Toyota quality/dependability test. Inside quality seems good (although the small door forward of the shift lever comes unhinged and a lens on the lower driver door light fell out) Controls for the HVAC are dumb. Did any of the designers try to work these things? Knobs either need to project farther and have knurling on them or they need to be rotary dials. Ditto for the radio. The same goes for the multi-function stalks. Move the rear wiper to the dash and simplify. Fuel mileage stinks. I would like to see the 4 cylinder and 16" tires available in the full tilt wagon pkg. I hope reliability is good.

• 

  Wish I knew better - 2010 Mazda CX-9
  By Scott - March 5 - 3:56 pm

  Love the car. Definitely best in class. Then the problems started. Heated seats stay on and wont go off until the battery dies. Mazda has no solution. Cant get the same answer from the dealer and Mazda corporate. Depending on you you listen to - its a faulty design - and Mazda is working on a solution. My issue is that this problem has been around since October. Why did Mazda knowingly sell me a car with features that they knew did not work? If you expect the manufacturer to be there to support you when you have problems - this is not the car for you!

• 

  Great Minivan - 2005 Mazda MPV
  By Eric Goodman - March 5 - 7:16 am

  This January 2005 myself, wife, three year old son and five month old daughter made the jump to our first minivan. We just got rid of our Nissan Sentra and what a world of difference. We spent over a year looking at all the different makes and models and in the end, the Mazda MPV is the bang for the buck. No doubt about it. You can receive a loaded equipped LS model for 5 to 7 thousand dollars less than Toyota, Nissan and Honda. The MPV has over 17.0 cubic feet in luggage capacity and 127 cubic feet in maximum cargo capacity, which is more room than the huge Ford Expedition, the GMC Yukon and other big SUVs out there. This vehicle is fun to drive, good gas mileage and has plenty of room.

• 

  Who says its for the young? - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By Dan - March 5 - 2:06 am

  It was time to trade in the Infinity. My wife wanted a smaller car with better gas mileage, but still wanted all the goodies. We looked hard the the Infinity g35 and M series. We drove Acura, Toyota, Lexus and BMWs. The Mazda dealership was next door to the BMWs. Just for the heck of it, we took a looksee. She saw a Mazda3 and asked for a test drive. The smile on her face was priceless. I cannot tell you how much fun this car is to drive. It didnt have all the amenities compared to the luxury cars, but it had enough. I could not believe it was under $20K. It drives and handles like a dream. I drive it whenever she lets me. By the way, we are in our early fifties!

• 

  Better than the last.. BY FAR! - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By LVMAZDAtres - March 3 - 9:00 am

  My last car was an 02 Mitsu Lancer. This Mazda3, purchased about 2 weeks about, is loads better!! Handling is excellent, power is there, even on the 2.0, and it is just fun! The reason I traded the Lancer was because it was just no fun anymore. When I purchase a car I look for fuel economy, comfort, all that stuff but over all it has to be fun. You cant sign your name away and 350/m for 5 years if it isnt going to be worth your while. This little Mazda certainly has proved to be so far.

• 

  A Fun Driving Companion - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By Becker - March 3 - 3:23 am

  I bought this new as my primary car. Well start with the downs. This car gets horrible mileage for a midsize family sedan. It gets around 17/25. It also is not the quickest in a straight line (a V6 Camry will smoke it). But now the ups. It is a good looker in and out, and has decent space all around. It is also a quality product. It is a great tourer and is comfortable for the long and short haul. But by far the best thing about this car is that it is fun to drive. It is very sporty and carves corners like a pavement scalpel. This car is just a laugh and its great. It will do standing front drive burnouts all day long,& it will take a racing line around a neighborhood like a pro. Its great!

• 

  A blast to drive - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By dn - March 3 - 1:30 am

  I have had my MX5 copper red for 4+ months now and it has NOT lost any of its appeal. This car is so fun to drive. I get many compliments on how classy it looks and people can not believe how easy the top is to operate. Great gas mileage too.

• 

  Zoom all the way - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By shawn - March 2 - 6:50 pm

  I have had my 3 for 2 years now and would have to say its a great little car for the money. Its cute and I love the color of mine its phantom blue mica. I get lots of complimets on the car.